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Tue 27th Oct 2015 Contractors are brought in to a business to solve a business need. They offer the solution to a problem that has a foreseeable end. This is why a business chooses to hire a contractor rather than taking on staff. This is the reason that a contractors' CV is very different to a standard one. Evidence results A contractors CV needs to focus on the evidence of delivering results. Traditional CV’s might show someone in a role for many years, but businesses looking for a contractor often do not have this time to nurture a role. Instead, they want to see exactly what results you delivered in what time scale. They want to see how you used the resources in order to make change happen in a short period of time. Allocate enough space on your CV to prove your competence with a results focused write up of the projects you have been involved with. Highlight the projects that have the greatest relevance to the role that you are applying for. Evidence experience Focusing on your experience will have greater effect than the education you received. Although, this does not mean relevant qualifications to undertake work are not important, they are. However focusing on how you have used these skills learnt to great effect in a practical sense has a much greater value attached to it. Evidence compliance For many roles, especially in the public sector, there are some certificates you have to have in order to undertake a project. Security clearance will be required in order to have access to certain sites or access to data. For these roles, a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check will be necessary. These days they checks are carried out by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The DBS checks need to be complete annually for a small cost. The check is personal to you, and therefore, you can take the check with you if you move from one role to another. It is recommended that you advise you have cleared a check on your CV. Return