Getting the best Curriculum Vitae or CV as it is commonly known is an extremely important part of receiving employment. We spoke to the experts to find out what makes a good CV!

FastFwd is a Recruitment Solution provider and deals with CV’s on a daily basis. We spoke to the Managing Director Annemarie Viljoen and Operations Director Tshepo Chiloane of FastFwd.

Tshepo Chiloane puts forward that a structured CV is highly important! Have references that you know are going to be reliable. Companies that offer online CV management systems are a great way to start. Download and manage your CV it’s efficient and highly structured. Always provide information about how you are going to add value to a company. Integrity is important so never lie on your CV.

Annemarie Viljoen suggests that a CV has to be formulated in a manner that makes an employer want to speak to you. Short and to the point make the person want to find out more about you. Strengths, skills and background details need to be highlighted.  Have a lucid and clear covering letter, this is important as it’s a huge selling point to being employed.  Update your CV at least once a year or even have a professional one constructed for you. 

The quick quiz with Annemarie:
1.Is structure an important factor? “Yes one hundred percent!”
2.When should you start constructing a CV?  “As soon as you are ready to be employed for your first job.”
3.Ever had a weird CV come your way? "A few, had a 120 page CV with a picture of the person’s dog and car attached."
4.Strangest answer you have ever had on your CV form? “I love beer therefore you have to employ me

Big tips:
1.Don’t put pictures on CV’s.
2.Emphasize the positive.
3.Check spelling.

The funnier side of CV’s (yes these true are true!):
1.    I have lurnt Word Perfect 6.0 computor and spreasheet pogroms.
2.     Am a perfectionist and rarely if if ever forget details.
3.     Received a plague for Salesperson of the Year.
4.     Wholly responsible for two (2) failed financial institutions.
5.     Reason for leaving last job: maturity leave.
6.     Failed bar exam with relatively high grades.
7.     It's best for employers that I not work with people.
8.     Let's meet , so you can 'ooh' and 'aah' over my experience.
9.     I was working for my mom until she decided to move.
10.  Marital status: single. Unmarried. Unengaged. Uninvolved. No commitments.
From: http://www.angmail.fsnet.co.uk/funny01.htm#tag1

1. Excellent memory; strong math aptitude; excellent memory; effective management skills; and very good at math.
2. Special skills: Thyping
3. "References:none. I've left a path of destruction behind me."
4. "Here are my qualifications for you to overlook."
5. "I am a rabid typist."
From: Funny Things people say, http://www.myfree4all.co.uk/peoplesay.html

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http://www.careers24.com
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