Your Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) is your personal sales brochure and is the important first step in selling yourself either to a recruitment agency or future employer. It needs to be clear, concise and correct. Remember that your resume could be presented to a number of different people in an organisation so keep it generic and use a covering letter to relate your skills and experience to specific positions.

Remember your resume is a valuable tool, don't underestimate the importance of this document in shaping your future career. Always ensure that your resume provides a positive reflection of your skills, knowledge and professionalism.

Planning your Resume
Time should be given to the careful planning and development of your Resume. This is an important document in your life and care needs to be taken to ensure it portrays you well. Begin your preparation by jotting down all relevant information about yourself. Enlist the help of a friend to help you recall the skills and experience you have gained in the past. Include everything you can goremember at this point as irrelevant information can be discarded later. Be prepared to redraft you resume several times before you reach a final product with which you are satisfied.

Successful Resumes
A successful resume should include the following characteristics:

• Information that is relevant, concise and correct.
• Conveys the right message to prospective employers.
• Highlights your strengths and achievements.
• Inspires confidence from the prospective employers.
• Is a truthful representation of your abilities.
• Encourages the reader to want to know more about you.

10 Top Tips for Resume Preparation

1. Layout is important - use adequate spacing to ensure your resume is easy to read.
2. Always proof read and spell check your resume, and when you think it is correct, PROOF READ it again.
3. Remember to include contact details: phone, fax, email.
4. Keep personal details to a minimum - it is not necessary to include DOB, marital status etc.
5. Do not date your resume.
6. Use reverse chronological order - most recent work experience first.
7. Use short statements or bullet points, making it quicker and easier to read.
8. Use capital and/or bold headings - avoid excessive use of fonts and graphics.
9. Portray yourself as someone who is active, uses their brain and gets things done.
10. Include duties performed and significant achievements.