It will be helpful to have a copy of your CV to hand here.

Typically, you’ll have submitted a CV to a prospective employer which may have been through some HR processing. Depending on who Intee is, they may or may not have paid much attention to it. It may merely act as a checklist to put you through to interview, or may receive rigorous examination and determine content of interview questions.

• too long
• using the same CV for every job
• rather than making it job specific
• not capturing at top  what exactly and specifically you bring to the party
• starting anything chronological with what’s furthest past rather than immediate stuff which is much more exciting and relevant
• poor layout and spelling
• too much ‘I’ not enough ‘what YOU will get from me’

Here’s an example of part of a  CV which worked, well thought-through and distinctive.  Sarah saw a job ad when it was right on the submission deadline – but was called for interview on the basis of her CV:

Subsequent headings of page two of Sarah’s CV included more evidence of her creativity: ‘Say Hello’ headlined her contact details, for instance.

Now this was for a leading edge arts company and this is the most important aspect to consider with a CV: target the sector you are in. What is the most important criteria for them in document presentation?

While the two- minute elevator pitch originated in the film business, and you may assume impactful and to the point will fit the media sector, it may not be quite what they’re looking for when you’re going for a job in a finance department. Detail and rigour and relevance will take priority here.

You can find lots of examples of cvs online (see the resources page at end of this book): collect ones that you like and imitate the parts that you think really work.  Remember: you are less significant than your offer and your fascinating history should support that.