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The CVs were a bit of a mixed bag, but a good effort all round. However, some problems just kept cropping up, so in addition to the individual feedback you have received, it is worth reiterating some of it here.
The importance of being consistent
Consider your reader. He/she is faced with reading through a number of CVs, and is trying to get to the key information as quickly and easily as possible.If you establish a convention in your layout in one section, then stick to it in the rest of the CV. What's the point in training your reader to expect, for example, to find dates on the left and details of what you were doing at that time on the right, if you then start putting dates at the end of the details in the next section?
Prioritise
Draw attention to the most important pieces of information in any given "chunk". For example,
National Institute of Cosmic Physics
Pickering Lane, West Hatfield
Receptionist/administrative assistant
The most important piece of information there is NOT the name of the institute, nor its address; it is your role as an employee. After all, it is your CV, so the important bits are all about you!. So emphasise the important information:
Receptionist/administrative assistant
National Institute of Cosmic Physics
Pickering Lane, West Hatfield
Proof-read (then do it again)
Check spelling, punctuation and spacing. Everyone (EVERYONE!) who mentioned La Catedral spelled it incorrectly!
More is not always better
If you don't have much on your CV, don't try to over-compensate by using a big typeface or too much spacing - it just makes you look desperate. Concentrate on getting into some exhibitions and gaining some relevant experience, so that you can update it so doesn't look so bare.
Capital punishment
Writing in block capitals reads as shouting. It's OK for headings, but use it sparingly.
Overusing underlining
Underlining was a method of emphasis back in the days of manual typewriters, when we didn't have the option of using bold text, or different font sizes. It's not the most elegant way of drawing attention to something, in most cases, so be very sparing in its use.
Reverse chronological order
Always put the most recent things first, whether it's education, exhibitions or work experience, and work backwards through the rest of your details. Almost always, your most recent work, exhibition or educational qualification is the most relevant and advanced, and it's what the person reading your CV is most interested in, so make it easy for them to find, by putting it first.
Punctuation
Resist the temptation to scatter full stops everywhere. A full stop marks the end of a sentence or an abbreviation. If it isn't a sentence (hasn't got a verb in it), then it doesn't need a full stop.
Get yourself a group activity
Lots of artists are people who are quite happy with their own company, so we tend to have hobbies and interests that are solitary. On a work CV though, it is very useful to have at least one group- or team-based activity, for balance, and to show that you have the inter-personal skills to work in a team environment.
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