Writing your CV

A CV is a convenient and informative way of putting in applications. In it you aim to present your personal details in a way that portrays you in the best possible light. You can use the same CV to apply for multiple positions within a specific career area. 

 

Therefore having a well written and immaculately presented CV is essential when applying for vacancies. It is becoming increasingly more difficult to find work so handing in your application with an outstanding CV is as important as ever.  By following the tips below you will be well on your way to producing an impressive CV.

Covering Letter

The covering letter is absolutely necessary to your CV. In your covering letter you can add the personal touch which your CV should lack. Try to find out the name of the person you are writing to as you are more likely to get their attention and receive a response.

 

You can use your covering letter to show your employer that you have all of the qualities and skills the job requires. Show in a concise manner which skills you have gained and how you could apply them.

 

When drafting this part of the letter you will probably need to refer back to the job description so that you can tailor your letter accordingly. One of the job requirements may be "Applicant must be computer literate." In response to this you may like to mention your qualifications in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, your education in Adobe Photoshop and Premiere programs and your background knowledge in HTML. For each requirement listed, try to pick out something relevant that you have achieved or experienced - real examples can help prove how well suited you are to the job.

 

Point out not just that you are interested, but why you are interested in the position, as this is far more likely to get them interested in you. Mention when you are available to start and try to be as flexible as possible.

Remember that while you are trying to sell yourself, employers are busy people who usually do not want to spend lengthy periods trawling through applications. Try to be clear, persuasive and to the point without losing information.

 

 

Curriculum Vitae

It is best to divide you CV into separate sections so that employers can easily fin the information they are looking for.

 

Personal Details

Include your full name, your address, and your contact numbers and. It is not necessary to include your date of birth, although you may prefer to.

 

 

Education and Qualifications

 

This section should be to the point. List any degree subjects and the university, as well as A level and GCSE subjects. Unless they are very poor try to include grades.

 

 

Employment History

 

List your latest job at the top, and all your previous experiences thereafter. Be sure to state your position, the company you worked for, the time period in which you were employed, and any beneficial roles that you played during that position. When describing your roles be sure to use action words such as 'organised' , 'lead', and 'planned'. Try to relate your skills tot he job - for example if you will need people skills in this job, put more emphasis on previous client relations and team working.

 

 

Interests and Achievements

 

Try to separate these out into different types. For example, sport, creative etc. Bullet points can be used to keep them short and to the point. 

 

List a range of interests to ensure you come across as open minded and able to mix with a variety of people.   Avoid too many solitary hobbies, e.g. reading, television watching, as these may indicate a lack of people skills. Also try to avoid clichés here such as 'socialising with friends' as employers will just brush over these. More unusual interests are more likely to gain the employers attention and make you stick out in their mind, for example sky diving!

 

if you have any hobbies relevant to the job these are important to mention as they will indicate a genuine interest in the job. Evidence of leadership is also important, for example captain of a sports team or chairing a student society. Overall anything indicating employability key skills are worth mentioning.

 

 

References

Two references should suffice, one can be academic and the other from a previous employer.

So you have got the basic skeleton of a good CV to work from. Always follow a plan and try to be as clear and succinct as possible. Answer all the questions in a professional manner, without being too personal. Don't include any personal interests unless they are relevant to the job as employers aren't going to care if you enjoy walking your dog on Sundays. Do not include a photo unless stated.