writing a CV for the first time in 200 years

[zelbazinnamon]

well, must be about 7 years really, but feels like a very long time ago! I'm applying for a job which just requires a CV (not even a cover letter, I just attach my CV...) and would like advice! Should I format it in terms of jobs done, most recent first, with voluntary experience seperately? Or can I interweave the two? What suits me is to really stress competencies rather than jobs because my history as a SAHM on/off for the last 11 years looks much better if I stress my skills than my work dates/roles...

First things first: Name and contact details. You do not have to put your date of birth on your CV if you don't want to. I was advised to only put the last twenty years work history on my cv. Just to keep it to two pages. Nothing to hide, I would have no problem having a DBS check.

Put your paid and voluntary roles in chronological order with the most recent first.

You could create a skills based CV.

A skills based CV (also known as a functional CV or simply a “skills CV”) highlights your skills and qualifications rather than work experience.
...
At the bottom of your functional CV, add a short, bulleted list of extra skills such as:
Computer skills.
Languages.
Less relevant job-specific skills.