Think of your curriculum vitae (cv) as a two-minute commercial: an opportunity to sell yourself.
Make sure your cv is clear. Describe your achievements using the active voice. Keep the language simple, avoid acronyms, and be succinct.
Choose the format that shows your background to your best advantage and is appropriate to the impact that you wish to create.
Be specific - list the experience criteria and indicate how you meet each.
Use a clear, readable typeface, and do not crowd too much text onto each page.
The maximum length should be three pages, preferably two.
Basic information:
Personal information such as name, address, home and office phone numbers, fax number and e-mail address.
Language profile, spoken and written; include the date of your most recent Second Language Evaluation, along with the level acquired.
Level of security clearance, where applicable.
Personal identification number (PRI)
N.B. There is no need to provide personal information such as sex, age, health, race, religion, marital status or political affiliation, or to enclose a photo.
Career highlights:
List positions held over the last 10 to 15 years – title, group, level, department, division and duration. List the most recent job first.
When you describe these positions, concentrate on your accomplishments that demonstrate the personal qualities senior managers and executives display.
Be specific about your experience in managing human and financial resources, and managing change.
Be brief, but emphasize outstanding achievements.
If relevant, you may include other information such as special experience or skills acquired through work with groups such as boards of directors, professional associations, civic or charitable organizations.
Be sure to emphasize skills and experience directly related to the position you are applying for.
Education and professional training:
List post-secondary diplomas and degrees, where applicable, as well as relevant public service management development and orientation courses. Include dates, and list the most recent first.
Should you be called for an interview, be prepared to provide proof of your education.
Publications:
List only your most important publications, and only if they are relevant to the position being sought.
If the list is longer that ten or fifteen lines, you may prefer to include it as an appendix.
References:
You may wish to indicate "references upon request". However, if you decide to provide references, the following should appear on a separate page: names, current titles, current departments/organizations, e-mail addresses, phone/fax numbers, nature of their relationship to you (superior, peer, client, staff/employers).
