David's article offers valuable advice. I would like to add a few other pointers.

Your CV is your sales document. Whether you are sending it to an agency or direct to a client it must get you through the door. Most folk receiving your CV will also have many others to consider. Realise that and you will see that you must grab the readers attention right at the start.

The top half of the first page of a CV is most important. Contracts can be won or lost by how you present that half page! Don't fill it with personal information incidental to the CV; leave that to the last page. All you want at the very top is your name, your role, and most important, a brief, snappy, Personal Statement of 4 or 5 short paragraphs summarising your primaryskills, qualifications, and experience.

I disagree with David about a 2 page CV. It is not enough. Aim for 3 or 4 pages. Don't bother detailing what you did 10+ years ago; summarise it with dates, company and position. Pre-IT experience can usually be left off altogether.

My original CV of 25 years ago makes me cringe! I even asked the agency what a CV was! Today I read so, so many & the ones that get most attention, sadly, are those that hit me between the eyes in that all too criticalfirst half page. Unfortunately I don't have time to read all of every CV, but the ones that catch my attention get the full Monty. But beware: too clever design, too many fancy colour schemes, or smothering it with company logos is a real turn off!
As a good sales brochure, a good CV will help you win your contract. So take time over it, ask advice from experienced folk (or even a trusted, professional and experienced Recruitment Consultant). A poor CV creates an bad impression from the beginning and simply creates extra hurdles in the race to win your next contract.

Ray Ellis
Recruitment Director
James Rushmore Ltd
SAP & e-Commerce resourcing
+44 20 7222 4900