Contractor Collective understands the importance of a strong CV so we have teamed up with it-cvs.co.uk to give you some great advice on how to achieve more from your CV.

CVs today need to serve as a device to showcase what you can do now, as opposed to everything you’ve done in the past. Much of the document should be written in the present tense in terms of what you can offer the next organisation and the kind of value you could add. We’ve been writing IT contractor CVs for over a decade and have found that the skills-centric format has yielded the greatest results.

The CV should open with a personal profile – a cross between a compelling mission statement on you and your objectives, and a succinct, attention-grabbing headline to immediately engage the reader.

Next should follow the key skills section, which some argue is the most important component of a good modern CV. This is where you can really blow your own trumpet, whilst remaining aware of the reader’s requirements. When choosing skill topics you should be mindful of striking a balance between technical and non-technical skills - after all, the reader is looking to appoint a human being and not a robot. For instance, it’s great that you can manage the design and implementation of application provisioning technologies using Citrix & Microsoft SCCM application deployment technology, but exactly what leadership style do you adopt to drive the designated team’s performance? By selecting strengths and qualities which dovetail nicely, the reader will get a sense of your fully realised skill set. If pitched right, this section should read like a mini-brochure on the 2010 version of you. The reader should really be able to gauge your personality, style and approach in the workplace with the right choice of words.

With such a meaty start to your CV, the career section which follows can simply serve to back up the skills with achievements and successes. Here you can demonstrate when and where you were able to acquire and hone the skills already mentioned.

Rounding off the CV is credentials, which can comprise of formal qualifications, relevant work-based training, industry accreditations and professional memberships. This part of the CV adds credence and substance.

These sections combined, if worded carefully and strategically, will make a powerful statement on your proof of worth and suitability for the contract in question.

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