Your CV or 'career resume' should provide an easy-to-follow breakdown of your career, to help prospective employers assess your suitability for a job. Drawing up a CV from scratch, and periodically updating it, is a useful self-development exercise, which helps act as an additional check to guard against possible shortfalls in your skills portfolio. A sequential CV is the most widely used format in which you set out your career history in a chronological sequence, working back from the present day through to your first post. The reason for presenting your current position first is to help your prospective employer see your most recent achievements. Evidence of recent accomplishments is usually more pertinent and meaningful than those of, say 10 or more years ago. When presenting a CV as part of a job application it must be tailored to emphasise the match between those qualities that you have and what the employer is looking for. Your "standard" CV is a reference document that you must amend for each specific application. The following example, over the page, shows a CV tailored to meet a specific job requirement.

Notes on Example CV

Front page of CV

Example CV

Ronald MacLeod 14 Canmore Crescent Littlelesse DUNDEE DD12 3XJ Tel.01327 54632 Career Summary Wide ranging experience in UK Offshore Oil/Gas Industry of co-ordinating multi disciplined workforce engaged in all aspects of Oil/Gas platform logistics, materials and service activities. Career progression from Material Controller to Integrated Service Manager demonstrates the technical, professional and attitudinal capabilities necessary to be a leading team member in the rapidly changing offshore environment of today. Key capabilities include: - Excellent communicator both in writing and face to face Highly motivated team worker In depth experience, in different environments, of Procurement Strategies Well qualified in both the theory and practice of modern management techniques Expert skills in safe material handling Principal Career Achievements to date OMAX Petroco (Aberdeen)      1989 – present Integrated Service Manager, Shale A + B platforms     1994 – present Managed all integrated service activities on Shale A + B platforms to meet or exceed business and financial targets to within safety and environmental parameters set by OMAX Petroco. Taking shared responsibility for meeting these as member of Shale A+B management team. Devised and implemented industry led materials progress system ‘Right UP’. This has led to inventory stock levels being reduced by 30% to lowest ever achieved level. Reduced fabric maintenance budget by 15% through more flexible team working and reduced workforce turnover. Introduced OMAX pilot scheme for multi-tasking in scaffolding and painting and insulation crews leading to more effective use of scarce manpower resources at peak times. Co-ordinated pan OMAX training programme with industry lead body on new environmental recycling/disposal regulations. OMAX scheme now being promoted by CRINE as possible industry template. Service Supervisor, Shale B Platform      1989 – 1994 Supervised Platform Services to Shale B Platform meeting or exceeding budget and safety standards set by company. Led Company work group that proposed design for integrated service provision for amalgamation of Shale A+ B management operations. Proposals introduced at end of 1993. Reduced vessel movements by 18% from 1992 levels through improved usage of reclaimed deck space made available by reduced drilling operations. Estimated cost benefit to OMAX of about £7M per annum. Maintained productivity of fabric maintenance crews through ‘summer of discontent’ in 1992 despite widespread problems on other platforms. Supervised contract workforce of between 12 and 40 with no lost time accidents over the 5-year period. Services team won OMAX safety challenge shield in 92 and 93. PANAMEX Oil Services Corp. (Peterhead) 1983 – 1989 Material Control Team Leader Led team of material controllers providing a complete materials service to various PANAMEX contacts including Elf and Shell. Accountable for stock inventory up to £5M on day to day basis. Royal Navy (Rosyth) 1974 – 1983 Leading Stores Accountant Formally trained in stores accountancy at the Royal navy Supply School after which served on several ships and shore bases including longer term assignment to HMS Vulcan (Malta). Seconded in 1979 to re-consolidation team which specialised in downsizing materials inventory during refits and outfitting.   QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING OPITO accredOIM                                                                         Team Leadership 1998 MFETC SCOTVEC Cert. Modern Management                                       1996 Dundee Col. OPITO accred Radio Telephony (VHF)                             1994 Aber. Tech. RSA Stores Management                                                1979 Royal Navy SCE ‘H’ grades  English, Maths, History, Chem.                1973 Alyth Acad. PERSONAL DETAILS Date of Birth          17/3/1956             Married with two children Interests:       Member of School PTA Munro bagging

Second and last page of CV

• With jobs further back in the career history you should keep the descriptions short. Not only were these achievements long ago but the Industry was different then and you probably had less responsibility. However do ensure that a good clear record of progression is demonstrated and that there are no unexplained gaps in your history. Although these entries should be brief, do use the opportunity to make at least one point relevant to the job being applied for.
• List principal qualifications that are relevant. Focus on what matters now. Remember to (briefly) indicate dates and awarding body. Be selective for now as you can always add in more detail when you get to the interview. Do ensure, however, that you include those that are both relevant and important.
• Date of Birth and marital status. A brief statement of fact. No need to dwell on these or to give undue prominence.
• Interests need to be handled carefully. Most of us have a range of outside interests and whilst potential employers might be impressed, they can just as easily be put off. This is likely to be the case if they think that you might be running a business in your spare time, or be prone to suffer from sports injuries or from the "morning after" your hectic social life. Equally someone with no interests is scarcely credible. Sound advice is to select from your wide range of interests those that are socially admired, safe and unlikely to deter a prospective employer.
• Although not included in Ronald MacLeod's CV you may want to add some brief details on any Professional Affiliations, Publications or special honours that you have been awarded. At all times be aware of what the prospective employer is likely to find relevant and positive for the particular job in question.

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