Do

1. Succinct sentences are easy to scan, especially given many employer's have just 10 seconds to read it.
2. Use standard typefaces such as Arial, 11 or 12 points.
3. Check and re-check spelling donot rely on spell check.
4. Ensure your personal details are printed by all printers – not in the header/footer.
5. Dates and employment should be easily found and consistent
6. Lead with achievements, use active verbs and positive language.
7. Follow up all claims with proven examples, be quantitative as well as qualitative
8. Use email addresses where referees are abroad.
9. Include awards or recognition received for work well done, together with professional memberships and relevant training.
10. Keep your CV honest, factual and to two pages.
11. Ensure everyline sells you at your best
12. Prioritise relevant content.
13. Ensure you send your CV witha covering letter ideally to a named individual.
14. Take ownership and use words such as Determined, Implemented, Created, Devised, Coordinated and Conceived.
15. Include figures i.e number of staff you managed or budget size of projects or contractual dealings.
16. Focus on what you have to offer the employer rather than listing what you have done.
17. Ask your consultant at legalroute or trusted colleagues and friends if this is an accurate representation of you.
18. Seek feedback if you are not achieving any interviews and if you feel your CV is not reflecting you at your best seek external advice.

Don't

1. Date your CV
2. Put your irrelevant personal details first i.e. date of birth and nationality.
3. Mention salaries.
4. It is not necessary to put reason for leaving.
5. Include negative or irrelevant information.
6. Lie.
7. Use Reverse Chronological format if you have many gaps between employments.
8. Put education first if its 10 years out of date.
9. List every employer if your have been working since the seventies.
10. Allocate the same space to all positions, prioritise the content.
11. Quote unsubstantiated superlatives.
12. Modify your CV for every application unless you have a foolproof method of remembering to whom you sent which edition