There are some useful resources online to help you write your CV. It is also possible to find hundreds of sample CVs online. When drafting your CV it is worth browsing these sites for ideas. Ultimately, however, a CV is an individual document and you need to find your own style.
Some agency websites' sole aim is to sign you up for costly job search or CV writing services. Some will promise to 'write your CV in minutes'. Despite the hype, most of these agencies offer little more than standard templates and a glorified typing service. There is no replacement for doing your own research and your own CV even if you do consult others!
Although some of the sites listed below are commercial, I have chosen those with a lot of free material and tips.
Susan Ireland's site at http://www.susanireland.com/index.html has some handy CV writing tips and over 50 sample Cvs/Resumes online. Also some helpful advice on covering letters. A lot of free material. US oriented.
Alec.co is a UK-based CV agency with a lot of sound advice from a British-oriented point of view. See http://www.alec.co.uk/cvtips/index.htm. Gives examples of different CV layouts - 'performance' (chronological), 'functional' and 'alternative'.
Some sound advice on covering letters from the London University-based Careers Group at http://www.careers.lon.ac.uk/output/page219.asp.
Very good online workshop based on a sample resume at the Online Writing Lab (OWL) at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/ResumeW/index.html.
US-based. For the new, revised OWL see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/ and click on 'Job Search Writing'.
Lots of sample CVs and Resumes at About: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/coverletters/a/aa030401a.htm. Material is not well edited or filtered but is OK for browsing if you bear this in mind.
For more sample CVs in different career areas (including 'Recent Graduates') and from a US perspective, see ResumeEdge at http://www.resumeedge.com/students/resumeadvice/samples/.
Microsoft Office Online has some templates for different types of Cvs at http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/templates/CT063470421033.aspx. These might be useful in getting you started but remember that templates tend to restrict your own initiative as a designer.
Online CVs
There are thousands of CV distribution services on the web who promise to publish your online CV and bring it to the notice of recruiters. An online CV can be a good idea for job search and for marketing of your skills on the open market, but has limited use in seeking jobs in international agencies and the UN. A lot of online CVs are very poor in quality, showing the same communication problems as traditional CVs.
CVs around the World
For tips on writing CVs in different countries, see the book The Global Resume and CV Guide: Advice from the Experts in Executive Search and Recruitment by Mary Anne Thompson.
See a summary of tips about international CVs at Expatica here or here.
Photo and Portfolio CVs
Many people now design their CVs on blogs or websites as portfolios. These can be updated regularly and include photographic material and artwork. Good for artistic, web-based and freelance careers, they have limited use for traditional jobs. Employers still seem to value the CV and covering letter as the fairest and most reliable way of recruiting new staff.
They also continue to value effective writing as a key employment skill, one reason why the covering letter is as important as the CV.
