This guide is in 2 parts. Firstly a guide to the content and layout of your CV and Secondly a number of Tips, Do's and Don'ts.

CV Layout - Click here

This is an example of a typically well laid out and informative CV. The bullet points need to have real information but for this example we have kept them simple. We have given 1 example paragraph for each of the following:

• General Managers
• Sales Managers
• Sales Executives
• Service Managers
• Parts Managers
• Service Advisors

You can apply the principles adopted in these examples to any appointment. If this style of CV was emailed to Steele-Dixon we would congratulate you. Be aware that you can select other styles and we are only displaying one for you at this time. Whilst the style you select may be different the standard of factual content should not.

If you have oustanding educational qualifications or training then you can place these aspects before your Employment History. We are not great believers in personal profiles and so this example does not have one. If you feel strongly then include one but be careful, self opinionated subjective statements are a waste of time. Focussed career aspirations are okay as long as they are sensible and not too futuristic. Best of all is a short focussed summary of your last 5 years employment.

CV Tips that will help

If you are actively looking for a career move you will need to produce a good quality CV. The last time you wrote one might well have been when you entered the job market for the very first time, so how should a CV that reflects your career to date differ from the one you wrote when you were still wet behind the ears?

It turns out there are some important things to include - and pitfalls to avoid - if you want to make your senior CV work to your best advantage.

Don't be tempted into thinking that because you've got 10 -20 years' work experience, anyone is going to be interested in reading about it in great detail. The point of a CV is to get you through to the next stage of the selection process, where you'll have ample opportunity to talk about your skills.

Your CV should never be longer than two pages (three at the most) regardless of how much you've done in the past.

To keep your CV short, keep it to the point. Don't waste lots of time on hobbies and interests - it gets read but is unlikely to be the reason to call you to interview. They can all come out at the interview if relevant.

The most important part of your CV is your work history facts & figures.