CVs. Let's face it, must of us dread them.

Combined with the usual discomfort we all have when asked to write something positive about ourselves, plus the feeling that writing one takes us away from something we feel more worthy of our time (working, family, eating, football), CV writing usually ends up towards the bottom of our priorities, even when we're applying for a new job.

If you're anything like me, then half the challenge is actually finding your CV in the first place.

Every 5 to 10 years, when I am asked to supply a CV, I seem to follow the same pattern. Firstly, I sit in quiet contemplation, attempting to remember its last recipient. Failing this, I start the search through old hard drives and folders Microsoft says are no longer accessible, attempting to find a file name with some combination of "Michael, Ilsemann and CV."

Occasionally, I strike gold, and some long-abandoned file has the proverbial cobwebs blown away as I bring it back to life.

More often than not, I give up after a few minutes and create a new document, which will no doubt soon join its siblings in the lost depths of cyber space.

To be honest, my original CVs are usually so outdated that it's actually easier to start from scratch again.

In my opinion, most of us are like me, even we don't want to admit to it. If I have a pound for every time a candidate says to me on a Friday, "I'll send you over an updated CV over the weekend..."

Does this sound familiar?

Please, don't worry. I really am trying not to lecture, and I apologise if that is how it sounds. What I am trying to say is that we are all very similar.

I want to introduce the concept of CVs as something which we should not fear, but rather embrace as a key part of our process as we try to attain our aspirations.

Now, I appreciate that these blogs will be geared towards lawyers (RSP is, after all a legal recruitment consultancy), but there are important lessons that anyone, in whatever profession, can take.

Most importantly, we'll explain and coach you in certain areas which your CV needs to include, and certain aspects which you should avoid.

We'll start by looking at a fundamental principle of a CV. Firstly, think to yourself, what is that you're trying to achieve. At first glance, this appears to be simple enough to answer; to help with a job application.

But a CV has to be more than that; it has to be a demonstration of why your suitability and your skills are better than the other candidates. Below is an example of what I mean.

Lawyers love drafting and reviewing. These are key skills and are something which they spend their working lives doing. That still doesn't stop from drafting some truly awful CVs.

Does that sound harsh? Perhaps, but it's better that an awful CV is identified by us early into the application process so that it can be rectified, rather than by an employer.

I think that some of the problem is a lack of time, which is understandable. But the problem goes a bit deeper than that. For many, there is a sense that their knowledge and experience will see them through the process and that CVs are something of an inconvenience.

Unfortunately, many fail to see the significance of a CV. It is not just a part of a process to get yourself an interview.

For many applicants, it is the only opportunity for them to demonstrate their drafting skills. Are you a corporate lawyer who enjoys drafting contracts? Prove it in your CV. Can you draft a persuasive witness statement as a criminal litigator? Write a persuasive CV as evidence. Do you get the best for your client in divorce proceedings? Make sure that your CV reflects that.

It is very easy (indeed, it is almost standard) to write that drafting is a passion, that it is something you excel at. But your CV does not demonstrate that, and in certain cases, can be a hinderance as they can negatively reflect your skillset.

Put yourself in the position of the employer.

You say that you can draft a first-class document, but where is the proof of that? Certainly not in your CV, which for most employers will be your first and only opportunity to demonstrate these skills to which you say you excel.

We see this often. A corporate lawyer's CV big in transactional detail but light on explanation as to what these transactions involved. An employment specialist who can list every case worked on, but no detail as to what actually happened. Or a private client solicitor, whose recent experience is too much of a rehash of the firm's website.

What these CVs all lack and require is an explanation of what happened, the value of the transactions, what you learnt from it, why you became a better lawyer from the experience.

Ask yourself, why would an employer be interested in this? If your CV is nothing more than a collection of case names or transactions, then I can tell you now what the answer is going to be: not at all interested.

Many CVs lack an executive summary, a description (which should be right at the start of your CV) of what makes you the lawyer you are, why you are suitable for the position, why you should be interviewed for the role, why you should be recruited.

Do not rely on the employer having the time, inclination or ability to find your strengths which you have inadvertently hidden amongst the minutiae of your CV. Make their jobs easier by doing it for them.

Think that this is something which is only required for a training contract? Think again.

We're coming up to 1,000 words now, and I think that that is enough talk about CVs for one day. But that is by no means the end of what we have to say about it. Over the coming weeks, we'll look into some of the challenges and pitfalls you should try to avoid, and advise on subtle changes which will really make your CV stand out.

Keep an eye out on our blog on how to craft an attention-grabbing CV.

In the meantime, what's your opinion on CVs? Do you completely disagree with me? If so, let us know by emailing in or commenting below, we look forward to starting the discussion with you.