Various parts of a Curriculum Vitae

• Contact information
  Give complete information: your name, address, telephone number including the area code, and e-mail address.

  Provide future employers with an e-mail address that won't scare them off. Something like firstname.lastname@xyz.com rather than hot.mama@xyz.com, for example. Many sites, such as Hotmail and Yahoo, offer free e-mail addresses. You can always open an account especially for your job search.

  More and more recruiters use automated CV processing methods. It's preferable to send yours by e-mail whenever you can.

• Objective
  In a few lines, explain your professional interests. This will help your future employer identify the kind of work that interests you. You can also include a few personal and professional skills that are appropriate for the job you want. Since employers usually only take one or two minutes to evaluate a CV, this is where you'll want to "make your pitch".
  
  
• Professional experience (or achievements)
  If you have one or more work experiences that relate to the job you're trying for, you should place your work experience before your education. Use a chronological or functional order (depending on the type of CV).

  However, if your work experience is not really relevant to the job in question and your education is more likely to increase your chances, switch the two sections. Use chronological order.

  - Chronological CV
  In descending order, list the name of the company or employer, your position or title, dates of employment, a brief description of your tasks, accomplishments and results obtained (quantitative and qualitative). You can also mention the skills that were required or that you developed while in the position.
  
  - Functional CV
  Group your accomplishments and responsibilities together based on your functional skills. For example, "Staff management" or "Project management". Describe each accomplishment and results obtained (quantitative and qualitative) from the use of these skills.

• Education
  Indicate your years of schooling in descending order. This will make it easier for your future employer to see what academic level you've reached. Don't list too much, though. For example:
  
  
  • If you're studying at university, indicate the program and what year you have reached. Then tell about your college diploma and concentration, if applicable. You don't need to mention anything else (such as high school) unless you did a vocational diploma or special program in high school (e.g., international studies).
  • If your grades are high, it might be interesting to let your employer know.
  • You can also indicate any other diplomas you've received.
    
    
• Additional experience
  • If you get by in more than one language, indicate it here.
  • Are you a member of a professional association? Have you taken any professional development courses? Are there any computer software applications you know particularly well? Think of everything that would be appropriate to add here.
    
    
• Interests and hobbies
  Are you a budding photographer? A computer whiz? Do you volunteer?

  Each of your interests and hobbies shows a different side of your personality as well as your skills.

• References
  Include your references in a document separate from your CV. At the bottom of your CV, add a note mentioning that you will provide references upon request.

  Indicate at least two people who are not family members and who can put in a good word for you, such as a former employer, a client or a teacher who knows you well.

  On your reference sheet, indicate your name and address, the names and addresses of your references as well as a brief description of their relationship to you. Be sure to bring a copy of your references to the interview with you. And be sure to contact your references when you go for an interview so that they can expect a call from your future employer.

Your CV should never include the following information:

• A photograph, your height and weight
  (unless you're applying for a job as a model or actor)
• Age or ethnicity
• Marital status
• Social Insurance Number
• The reason you are no longer employed by any of your former employers
• Salary or pay received for any prior employment.

In other words, your CV represents you. Don't forget that a recruiter has only a few minutes to spend reading it. It must be precise, concise and clear. Avoid ambiguity. It ideally should be no longer than 2 pages, maximum 3. Make sure there are no spelling or grammatical errors. Presentation is also important. You can invent an original layout. If you are printing it, use quality paper. It will look even better.