How to write a winning CV

A good CV offers prospective employers a quick, concise summary of your qualifications, experience, skills and suitability for a particular role.  A great CV makes you stand out from the rest of the competition. 
Your CV should include:

• Your name, address and accurate contact details.
• A short profile summarising your professional and personal attributes 
• Key roles you’ve completed to date
• Your experience in a specific sector or industry
• Your unique selling points, e.g. problem-solver, team player.

Your professional experience.  Starting with your current or most recent position, you should include:

• Start dates and finish dates;
• Job title; 
• Employer;
• Key responsibilities;
• Achievements;
• You should also account for any career gaps.

Your education. You should provide details from secondary school onwards, including:

• The institution name;
• Attendance dates;
• Qualifications gained.
• Your skills and professional qualifications, including relevant training courses.
• Details of any software packages that you’re familiar with, including your level of proficiency, e.g. basic, intermediate, or advanced.
• A brief overview of your personal life, including hobbies, sporting activities and interests.  This will provide potential employers with a picture of the real you.

Presentation is Key

Present your CV in a clear and logical manner, using short sentences, bullet points, a single typeface, and consistently sized headings.  Make sure its no longer than two sides of A4 and that the finished article is polished and error-free.  Proofread, proofread, then proofread again.
Above all, always be honest, accurate and able to talk confidently about any information on your CV. You can however tailor your CV to emphasise certain skills and experiences that match the role you’re applying for. Employers make decisions about candidates based largely upon the relevance of the skills and experience listed on their CVs.
And remember to keep your CV up to date. Don’t waste any of the new experiences, skills or qualifications that you may have gained by letting them go unseen by potential employers.