The CV Book: Your definitive guide to writing the perfect CV

265 Pages·2009·2.47 MB·English

by  James Innes

Your CV has less than 30 seconds
to win you an interview. Free online
support
With hundreds of CVs sent through for any one job vacancy, your CV has templates
to work hard to stand out. You need to know what the recruiter wants to and tools
see and how to say it, fast.
Your CV neds to be exceptional and James Ines, who runs one of THE
the most successful CV writing companies in the UK, is just the person
to help you. The CV Book brings together years of research and experience
to reveal the secrets behind the most successful CVs. You’ll fnd out
all the insider tips and winning methods to make sure your
CV never fails to impress.
You’ll discover:
Exactly what you need to say and how to say it
CV
How to build a CV, step-by-step
The 15 most common mistakes –
and how to avoid them
Five easy ways to make your CV realy stand out BOOK
And much more…
The CV Book has full online support – CV templates, CV tools and reader offers
– all available through The CV Centre online at www.ineedacv.co.uk/readertools
No matter what your age, background, job or level of experience, Your defnitive guide to
The CV Book will help you create an outstanding CV.
writing the perfect cv
£9.99
CAREERS
ISBN 978-0-273-72174-1
JAMES INNES
Managing Director of the UK’s leading CV consultancy
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CVR_INNE_1741_01_SE_CVR.indd 1 29/6/09 10:03:18

THE CV BOOK JAMES INNES
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The CV Book
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A01_INNE1741_01_SE_FM.QXD:C01.QXD 26/6/09 09:17 Page iii
The CV Book
Your definitive guide to
writing the perfect CV
James Innes
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PEARSON EDUCATION LIMITED
Edinburgh Gate
Harlow CM20 2JE
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Website: www.pearsoned.co.uk
First published in Great Britain in 2009
© James Innes 2009
The right of James Innes to be identified as author of this work has been asserted
by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
ISBN: 978-0-273-72174-1
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Innes, James, 1975-
The CV book : your definitive guide to writing the perfect CV / James Innes.
p. cm
ISBN 978-0-273-72174-1 (pbk.)
1. Résumés (Employment) 2. Cover letters. I. Title.
HF5383.I55 2009
650.14’2--dc22
2009020973
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without either the prior written
permission of the publisher or a licence permitting restricted copying in the United
Kingdom issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency Ltd, Saffron House, 6–10 Kirby
Street, London EC1N 8TS. This book may not be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise
disposed of by way of trade in any form of binding or cover other than that in which
it is published, without the prior consent of the Publishers.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
13 12 11 10 09
Typeset in 9.5/13pt in Din Regular by 30
Printed in Great Britain by Henry Ling Ltd., at the Dorset Press, Dorchester, Dorset
The publisher's policy is to use paper manufactured from sustainable forests.
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This book is dedicated to my parents.
To my mother, Elisabeth – for teaching me everything that was ever of
any real importance.
To my father, Don – for guiding me and protecting me while always giving me
the freedom to go my own way and find my own path in life.
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Contents
Acknowledgements viii
Introduction ix
How to use this book xiii
PART 1 Laying the foundations: getting the
basics right 2
1 Aesthetics and presentation: looking good on paper 5
2 Content and style: what to say and how to say it 17
3 Structure: which type of CV is right for you? 33
PART 2 Building your CV: section by section 40
4 Personal details 43
5 Professional profile 51
6 Objective 57
7 Education and qualifications 61
8 Career history 67
9 Key skills 75
10 Achievements 79
11 Other details 85
12 Interests and activities 93
PART 3 The 15 most common CV writing
mistakes – and how to avoid them! 102
PART 4 When the usual rules don’t apply … 112
13 Ten solutions for ten potential problems 115
14 Special cases – professions where the rules are different 125
15 CVs and résumés – looking for work abroad 133
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PART 5 Tailoring your CV 140
PART 6 Digital considerations 146
PART 7 A word on… 154
16 Cover letters 157
17 Application forms 165
18 Job hunting 173
19 Interviews 181
PART 8 CV and cover letter examples
and templates 186
PART 9 My five top tips to make your CV
stand out 232
Further reading and resources 236
Appendix A: 250 action verbs 238
Appendix B: 50 positive adjectives 241
Index 243

CONTENTS
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Acknowledgements
I would like to thank all of my colleagues and clients at The CV Centre, both
present and past. Without them it would clearly not have been possible for
me to write The CV Book. In particular, I would like to thank Susan Staley,
who has closely supported me in the production of this book. I would also
like to thank Katy Wilson, Amanda Jackson, Sharon Williamson, Sean
McAlister and Margaret Hall.
I would additionally like to thank Richard Day at Beaufort Web Design for
his significant contribution to the online elements of this book.
Special thanks also go to the team at Pearson, in particular Samantha
Jackson, Caroline Jordan and Laura Blake. I couldn’t have had better pub-
lishers behind me. Assistance in checking and correcting the text was also
provided by Don Elkins, Elisabeth Elkins and Malcolm Innes.
Finally, I would like to thank Delphine Vaucanson for her love and support
and her toleration of my frequently working very excessively long hours!
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Introduction
Dear Reader
‘Why do some people almost always get the job they want?’
Because their CV wins them an interview – and 99 per cent don’t!
As a professional CV writer, I see every single day which CVs really achieve
results. This puts me in a unique position, enabling me to bring you the very
best of what I have learned – and helping you to create a truly exceptional CV.
What exactly is a ‘curriculum vitae’?
‘Curriculum vitae’ is a Latin term and translates as ‘the course of one’s
life’. The simplest dictionary definition says that a curriculum vitae is ‘a
summary of your academic and work history’. Well, that’s basically true,
but I see a curriculum vitae (commonly abbreviated, of course, to CV) as
more of a personal sales brochure, one which should be very carefully
written and presented to ensure that you have the best possible chance of
getting the job you want – to really showcase your talent.
It is not an autobiography. Simply writing down a list of everything you
have done and everything you know will not guarantee you an interview –
in fact it will just bore the socks off the recruiter and undoubtedly count
against you.
You should never lose sight of the fact that the primary aim of your CV
is purely and simply to win you an interview.
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