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How to Prepare an Effective CV
1. CV Essentials
Before you write, take some time to do a self-assessment on paper. Outline your skills and abilities as well as your work experience and extra-curricular activities. This will make it easier for you to prepare a thorough resume.
It is absolutely essential for your CV to accurately reflect your background.
2. The content of your CV
Name, address, telephone, e-mail address, web site address
All your contact information should go at the top of your resume.
·       Avoid nicknames.
·       Use a permanent address. Use your parents' address, a friend's address, or the address you plan to use after graduation.
·       Use a permanent telephone number and include the area code. If you have an answering machine, record a neutral greeting.
·       Add your e-mail address. Many employers will find it useful. (Note: Choose an e-mail address that sounds professional.)
·       Include your web site address only if the web page reflects your professional ambitions.
Objective or Summary
An objective tells potential employers the sort of work you're hoping to do.
·       Be specific about your strengths and how the company will benefit from hiring you.
·       Highlight specific skills that are relevant to the job youa re applying for. Tailor your objective to each employer you target/every job you seek. Read the job requirements and mention where you feel you have a strong match with the requirements.
Education
New graduates without a lot of work experience should list their educational information first. Experienced graduates should list it after the work experience section.
·       Your most recent educational information is listed first.
·       Include your degrees, majors, institution attended., minor/concentration.
·       Add your symbols if they are good.
·       Mention academic distinctions/honours.

Work Experience
Briefly give the employer an overview of work that has taught you skills. Use action words to describe your job duties. Include your work experience in reverse chronological order—that is, put your last job first and work backward to your first, relevant job. Include:
·       Title of position,
·       Name of organization
·       Location of work (town, state)
·       Dates of employment
·       Describe your work responsibilities with emphasis on skills and achievements.
Other information
You may want to add:
·       Key or special skills or competencies,
·       Leadership experience in volunteer organizations,
·       Participation in sports.
References
By far the most important part of working on cruise ships. Make sure you have CONTACTABLE REFERENCES. We check! If a slight hint of dishonesty is detected your CV will be thrown out
3. CV Checkup

You can also take the following steps to ensure quality:
Content:
·       Run a spell check on your computer before anyone sees your resume.
·       Get a friend (an English major would do nicely) to do a grammar review.
·       Ask another friend to proof-read. The more people who see your resume, the more likely that mis-spelled words and awkward phrases will be seen (and corrected).

Design:
These tips will make your resume easier to read and/or scan into an employer's database.
·       Use white or off-white paper.
·       Use A4 paper.
·       Print on one side of the paper.
·       Use a font size of 10 to 14 points.
·       Use non-decorative (plain) typefaces.
·       Choose one typeface and stick to it.
·       Avoid italics, script, and underlined words.
·       Do not use horizontal or vertical lines, graphics, or shading.
·       Do not fold or staple your resume.
·       If you must mail your resume, put it in a large envelope.

4. Covering Letter
It will most often be useful to write a covering letter, which motivates why you are applying for a specific position. Cruise liners definitely prefer a covering letter.