We're often asked what makes a good CV. The advice we give is that the CV must be succinct, persuasive and tailored for the position you are applying for.

When you're refreshing your CV, think about what your most relevant and recent experiences are as they relate to the position you are applying for. Relevant skills can be showcased in an employment history CV or even better in a skills-based CV.

An employment history CV is where your previous roles are outlined from most to least recent. Under each role you provide a role description and some information about your work in the role. This is the CV format we most often see. While it is a logical format, it may hinder your success at securing aspirational roles. For example, imagine you are applying for a role that requires construction law experience. You are currently working in a general commercial role but you have had exposure to construction three jobs ago. An employment history CV will push your construction law experience down. You risk the reader deciding early on that you are a commercial lawyer and simply don't have this experience.

A skills-based CV is where you start off by setting out your past roles and employers without delving into the detail. After that, have headings with your areas of expertise on the first page in order of relevance. Where applicable use expertise and skill headings such as construction law, commercial litigation, leadership or mentoring. Under these headings provide details and case examples of your work in these areas. This format is particularly useful for repositioning yourself and highlighting how you best fit the role.