Handle Recruitment - Writing an effective CV

Include a covering letter and remember that employers will be looking for good communication skills as well as technical expertise.
Keep your CV to 2 pages if possible. Recruiters want a clear concise document which is easy to read, so use bullet points – no-one wants to scan through ‘War and Peace’ to try to extract the most relevant information.
Check and double check spelling and grammar – we once had a candidate who told us he was “responsible for ruining a department of 20” – it certainly ruined his chances of an interview.
Make sure your CV is in a recogniseable format – ideally Word or pdf - you’d be amazed at the weird and wonderful attachments we get which we can’t open as no-one has ever heard of the software.
Don’t start with your first job – the experience gained in your present post will be the most relevant to the job for which you are applying.
Don’t try to hide gaps in your employment. Recruiters like to see precise dates, so if you have a gap because you went travelling, then say so. Avoid writing too much and don’t ramble - use bullet points.
Focus on specific achievements or results – where you have saved the company time or money for example – this proactively demonstrates an ability to add value– and try to show progression. Employers are keen to pick out achievements and development rather than just lists of duties.
Make sure that your CV is tailored to the job that has been applied for – recruiters need to pinpoint skill sets quickly. And briefly outline the nature of the business of your employers and give some idea of their size.
Don’t get carried away with interests and never put fictitious achievements on your CV – you will get caught out. Most recruiters have a knack for spotting exaggeration and distortion and so if you claim near fluency in a language while your real ability peters out after ordering a sandwich and a beer then don’t be surprised if you get tested! And don’t list every hobby you’ve ever had a go at – brevity is the watchword.
Bear in mind that recruiters are looking for “rounded characters” and “team players” and so this section is a chance to show your personality! Team sports for example can demonstrate motivation and commitment.