fish4

Tell the truth

Whilst it may be tempting to upgrade some of your GCSEs or embellish your career history with a few porkies, most companies will check the facts. It doesn't hurt to concentrate on the positives but it won't look good if you can't talk in detail about something you claim to have achieved.

Keep it simple

Remember that the CV is just the first step of the process. If you get an interview you'll be able to talk in more detail about your achievements. Two sides of A4, clearly laid out, will be enough for the employer to make a decision.

Tailor to the job

Spend a few minutes tweaking your CV for each application you make. It's a good idea to check that the key skills requested in the job advert are mentioned within your career history in similar wording so that it is easy for a recruiter to see how suitable you are.

Fill in the blanks

If you do have gaps in your employment history such as time raising a family, being made redundant or illness, don't just leave these unexplained as it might lead to the employer jumping to the wrong conclusion. It's better to be honest from the start as legitimate reasons for being out of work will not hinder your chances.

Double check

Checking your CV for errors is the most important step. Always run a spell-check on your document and ask someone to read it through to ensure that you aren't making any silly mistakes. A simple error might lead to the recruiter discarding your CV before they've even finished reading it.

CV templates

If you need some help getting started, we've prepared a couple of CV templates in Microsoft Word that you can download and amend with your own details. Which CV you use will depend on your experience:

I'm applying for my first job – Basic CV template

I have some work experience - Detailed CV template

To use either of these templates simply:

1. click on the CV you wish to download and save a copy of the file on your computer;

2. type over the placeholder text and fill in all the fields indicated;

3. save your changes to your computer and print it out to check through;

4. make your final amends and save your finished CV;

5. upload your CV onto fish4jobs where employers can search for you.