Writing your own CV is one of the most difficult tasks to undertake. What do you say? Do you say how wonderful you are or remain modest and hope the potential employer will guess? Do you keep the CV to two pages? Do you hide your age or dates?

Well, the basic rules to follow are:

Be honest, your sins will find you out.

Be brief but informative. Two pages are ideal but three pages are absolutely fine as long as they are easy to skim read and the type is pleasant to the eye.

Use bullet points rather than paragraphs.

Do not hide personal details at the back - it seems fashionable but believe us it is so annoying to search for hobbies, languages, etc. on a CV. Hobbies and interest no longer need to be on a CV.

Provide a resume and retell what others have said about you. After all if you say "I am a dynamic individual" for example, your potential employer may question your modesty. Also avoid being too wordy and not actually saying anything that anyone can understand.

Choose words carefully - neither too colloquial or pontificating! "can" "do" "handle" "tell" "carry out" are not the best words to use.

Do not send pretty paper, folders, humorous CVs - unless you are applying for a design position.