The purpose of a CV is to communicate your professional qualifications and future aspirations to a potential employer, normally with the aim of obtaining an interview. CVs should almost always be accompanied by a cover letter.

The preparation of a good CV requires time and effort. It is worthwhile making this initial investment, as a CV is often the first objective information that a company has about a candidate.

Some general guidelines for writing a CV:

• Use your name as the header. Do not write "CURRICULUM VITAE" across the top - it is redundant and wastes valuable space.
• Be concise: describe your key achievements and experiences in short sentences or bullet points
• Clarity: make sure the reader can find at a glance all the information they need
• Content: include information that conveys how your experience and education is suited to the position you are seeking.
• Use plain language: avoid abbreviations and jargon
• Use font size of 10-12 point, with larger font for your name. Use bold to highlight names of companies and educational institutions.
• A resume should never be more than 2 pages. The norm in Europe is one page unless you have a large amount of work experience.
• Check and double-check your CV. Ensure there are no typing, spelling or grammatical errors.
• Use a professional, aesthetically pleasing layout. Leave a margin on both sides. Create attractive spaces around the text and have clear sections and headings.

Try to show your CV to people who may not be familiar with the companies and/or industries where you have worked to see if what you have written is easily understood.

Using a personal profile to start your CV is a matter of taste. Personal profiles usually include 2 or 3 short sentences that give an exciting taster of what follows. You may wish to include your career goals. Be careful, though: not everyone likes personal profile statements. A simpler and less risky approach can be to use your cover letter to communicate the key points and your career goals.