Your story and nothing but your story! The following points should help you on your way to creating a cv.

Presentation

• Use good quality white paper with a plain type face
  
• Avoid italics and decorative fonts, and don't add an ornate border – you want to be noticed for what you say, not how you present it
  
• Try to keep your CV to no more than two pages (stapled together, rather than bound or placed in a wallet)

Structure

• Put your name right at the top of the front page, with your contact details directly underneath.
  
• Don't include your work number - it's not fair on your present employer!
  
• Have a clear structure that's easy to understand and read. Your aim is to present facts about yourself concisely and with clarity
  
• Use bullet points rather than complete sentences, which can sometimes lead to unnecessary wordiness
  
• Your educational history, academic achievements and work experience should be listed in reverse order – university degree should come before your school exam results
• Never leave gaps - If you took a year out, or carried out interim assignments, say so – otherwise, employers can suspect the worst
  
• Leave your hobbies and interests until last – and keep this section short
  
• Double-check and proofread
  
• Check your CV carefully – always run a spell check over it carefully and re-read to ensure accuracy; ask a friend to check it too
  
• Send it off in a good quality, clearly addressed, A4 envelope and post it first class (this indicates efficiency)
  
• Your CV is the first impression your potential employer will have of you
  Take the time to get it right – you may not have a second chance