CV - Where to start ?

[Syd]

Having been in the same job for 10 years, I haven't put a CV together for that long, and then it was pretty much the same CV as I had produced 10 years earlier!!
I understand that CV requirements are VERY different now, I'm looking to move into the channel in a sales position, and really looking for any pointers as to what to put in a professional CV and how elaborate it needs to be ?
Some sites say photos should be included, some suggest no education information, and the different styles are very, well, different!!
My basis would be Name, Education, pertinent career, current job description and acheivements and interests

Can you guys shed some light, if theres anyone out there who employs for this type of role - what would you be looking for?

I'm so keen to make a good impression with the recruitment agency so I really need to get this first step right!

Thanks for reading

[Domestic_Ginger]

Two sides of A4 maximum with a nice cover letter. TBH mine is five years out of date and was five years out of date then.

No photo needed as this is discriminating. I would have thought education was important.

[Flibb]

My current layout (had good feedback from agents)


Name and contact details at top, including email, mobile, address

Personal profile
Bit about you, have included what type of works, specific awards, knowledge, attitude, etc. I have done this as a paragraph


Skills summary
Bullet points on skills, software hardware experience, that kind of thing

That lot takes up one page


page 2

Work history
most recent first, bullet points for specific items


Education history
just grades, dates, place


That gives me two sides and I have just landed a couple of interviews with top companies. I have also been contacted by several agents that spotted my CV on cvlibrary and total jobs. I do change the mix of skills and personal statement depending on the job.

[santa claus]

My current layout (had good feedback from agents)


Name and contact details at top, including email, mobile, address

Personal profile
Bit about you, have included what type of works, specific awards, knowledge, attitude, etc. I have done this as a paragraph


Skills summary
Bullet points on skills, software hardware experience, that kind of thing

That lot takes up one page


page 2

Work history
most recent first, bullet points for specific items


Education history
just grades, dates, place


That gives me two sides and I have just landed a couple of interviews with top companies. I have also been contacted by several agents that spotted my CV on cvlibrary and total jobs. I do change the mix of skills and personal statement depending on the job.

Good advice. Clarity and brevity is important to those who read CV's.

[TheAnimus]

If its technical having a skills bullet point style checklist breakdown is very good, if its a techi reading your CV they will skim it quicker, if its a non technie make sure you put the same thing in brackets with ALL the other names for it.

[Flibb]

If its technical having a skills bullet point style checklist breakdown is very good, if its a techi reading your CV they will skim it quicker, if its a non technie make sure you put the same thing in brackets with ALL the other names for it.

Good points. Made the mistake of sending a techi CV to a non techi agent, wasted 30 minutes of my life explaining it to them. My techi stuff is laboratory instrumentation and pharma stuff. So lots of types of equipment and types of analysis.

[Syd]

Thanks guys, GOt to put this together this afternoon so your quick feedback is most appreciated