How to create a winning CV

SOS recruitment makes the difference. Our recommendations are highly respected in the business community and will get you a foot in the door to many companies. However, there's no substitute for a good well written CV.

We have compiled a list of tried and trusted methods, which have helped thousands of people, create a winning CV.

Make your CV look as professional as possible by avoiding fancy fonts, italics and borders.
Use a clear layout to separate categories including Personal Profile, Employment History, Education, Skills Set, Hobbies and Interests.
Put your name at the top of both pages and ensure you contact details are clear and visable on your CV.
Use punchy well-constructed sentences, which bullet-point your experience and successes.
Detail present employment and work back chronologically through past jobs and work experience. The same applies for education.
Your CV should be printed on good quality white paper in black and white only and fastened with a staple.
Check that your spelling and punctuation are perfect.
Content Counts
At SOS we advise that your Personal Profile should be a summary of you, your experience and skills, personality, motivators and objectives.
Your Personal Profile should be exciting and interesting. It's the perfect opportunity to sell yourself.
When writing your personal profile, consider the type of work you are looking to secure and the skills and experience you have to match.
Work and education history should be detailed, confirming dates by month and year. For any education or qualifications include examination dates and final grades.
Give an explanation for any gaps in your work or education e.g. time spent travelling and be prepared to discuss it at interview.
Describe your hobbies and interests last and keep it short and relevant.
Your CV should be prepared in advance so it's ready to send to a potential employer at a moment's notice.
Your CV should reflect your experience, background, skills, attributes and personality