The cover page

• Most applicants try very hard to make the cover page fancy and it is all not really necessary.
  The cover page must be simple with just the words “Curriculum Vitae of” name of the applicant.
  No pictures, or photographs necessary unless if the employer or advert requested that which is highly unlikely.

• Sometimes employers will ask you to write a cove page, please ensure that you are precise and highlight those skills and attributes that the employer is looking for and nothing else.
  Note: Please do not write your CV in CAPITAL LETTERS as it is difficult to read.

First page

• The first page must consist of your personal details which includes; name, surname, ID number address, contact details etc.
• This might be followed by your qualifications if there is still space.

Qualifications

• The mistake that most people do here is that they do not include the DATES.
  It is very important that the information on your CV leaves the employer with no questions, and not including dates does that and usually no one has time to contact you just to find that out.
• Please list your qualifications in order of the most recent, include the name of the institution, the course or qualification and the date.
• Most people ignore this but is important that you include where you matriculated and the year.
  Also do mention if the qualification was obtained or not.
• You can also include other short courses that you have completed.
  Any affiliations or memberships relevant to the vacancy.

Work experience

• This is also another are where most applicants leave ignore to include the date. It is very important that you put a date “from January 2008 to December 2009”.
  The name of the organisation you work at should be documented first, followed by your job title and then the date.
• Please do include your key responsibilities, as this will give the employer an idea of what you are exposed to or able to do. Do not assume that because you are an Accountant then the person looking at your CV will know what you do. Not all Accountant do the same thing, it varies from the type of organisation they work for and the size of that organisation.
  One can also include at the bottom of each organisation they worked for, their achievements within that organisation and your reason for leaving or wanting to leave, it will be great to know that!
  You can also include any part-time employment, vacation work , voluntary or community involvement.
• Always make sure that you write a one line explanation of any gaps between your employ.
  Also make sure that you list all your previous work experience where or not it relates to the job at hand!       Last page       Here one will include at least three (3) employment references.
• The references have to be people you reported to or who worked with you and were at the senior level than you. No family or friends, maybe lectures in case of students who have not worked before