TIPS ON PREPARING A CV
? Limit the amount of personal information. Include your full name, address, telephone number and e-mail address. Avoid mentioning your religion, native place, weight and height. Your age and marital status are optional. When it comes to your ID number, give only the first four digits, followed by asterisks, Ms Levett advises. This shows that you have an ID, while protecting your privacy.
? List your information in reverse chronological order, putting the most recent items first and working your way backwards. It is acceptable to mention the courses you have passed (omitting those you have not); only mention your grades if they were above average.
? Do not forget to include your volunteer work, extra-curricular activities and part-time jobs. You might not think that working at a fast-food outlet during summer vacations is impressive, but it will show initiative, maturity and a serious approach to work.
? A final point (and an important one): Think carefully about your name. If you are using an English name, look again and assess what it may say about you, and what impact it might have on someone reading it for the first time. For example, names such as 'Hello Kitty', 'Aardvaark', or 'Satan' might have proved amusing to your friends when you were attending secondary school, but such fancy or exotic names will not score any points with the busy executives who will be going over your CV.
