What information should you include on your Curriculum Vitae (CV)?

Your Curriculum Vitae (CV) is an overview of your basic personal details, employment/academic history, including any qualifications gained, and is primarily used by employers to screen the suitability of a job seeker and match to a job role.

Whilst you will want to sell yourself and impress future employers/recruiters, too much personal information may lead to identity theft, where fraudsters can obtain your details, steal your identity and spend your money, take out loans or buy goods in your name.

Your CV should be a maximum of two pages and should include your name, contact number, email address employment/academic history; qualifications gained where applicable and key skills/personal interests. This may be tailored, dependent on the job role to change the emphasis of information included.

Remember, it is a summary – so NEVER include:  

• Your Date of Birth
• Your Full Address
• Passport Number
• Driving Licence Number
• National Insurance Number
• Marital status and number of children
• Credit card or bank account numbers
• Weight and height
• Hair and eye colour

Employers may ask for other qualifications related to seeking employment however, it is not normal for them to ask for information unrelated to seeking employment. To avoid identity theft, always verify the employer/recruiter that you are applying to, to ensure that they are who they claim to be.

A simple check using Companies House, the internet, directory enquiries will verify that they are who they claim they are.