CV TIPS
A CV is an essential tool in your job search . When applying for a vacancy you generally first have to send your CV to present yourself to the prospective employer.
Look on your CV as the first step of a marketing campaign to a prospective employer. It’s your advert and should be:
* well presented
* interesting
* quick to read
It should also be truthful - don’t be tempted to lie on your CV - you will be found out! Remember, a CV is a highly personal document, so you must be comfortable with it.
About CV’s
When should I use a CV?
* when an employer requests one. If an employer asks you to complete an application form - NEVER send a CV in its place.
* if you are making speculative applications for any type of work - permanent or temporary.
* if the ad says, send full details to…
What about covering letters?
* Always send a covering letter with a CV.
See Covering Letters for tips
How do I start?
Make a list of all your
* academic qualifications
* accomplishments
* experience
* then, pick out the highlights. Remember, don’t underestimate yourself
* check all the dates of school/university attendance
* check dates details of academic and other qualifications
How long should it be?
* Two pages at the most. Selectors rarely give CVs more than two minutes on their initial trawl
* If you are a postgrad, you may wish to add an appendix detailing any research or publications. Don’t include this in the body of your CV - it will make it too long
What should it look like?
* presentation is really important - your CV needs to get its message over quickly
* it should be word processed on good quality paper - photocopying paper is usually a bit thin, but there is no need to go for thick vellum!
* most people stick to white paper - if you do choose a colour, think pastels.
* think about the layout - it needs to be clear and balanced
* keep paragraphs short
* use bullet points
* font size of 10-12 - smaller is difficult to read, larger looks like a primary school project!
* typeface - is a matter of personal taste. In general non-seraphed face (like this - Arial or Univers) is quite modern, easy to read and no-nonsense. Times New Roman is a little more formal and old fashioned, whilst Comic Sans MS is a bit casual! Try not to get carried away - and once you’ve chosen a font - stick to it!
* lots of underlining and italics can be distracting- use bold instead for headings
What should it include?
CVs usually include the following sections, but don’t feel you have to follow this format slavishly.
* Personal Details
* Education
* Employment or Work Experience
* Responsibilities (and achievements)
* Interests (and achievements)
* Other Skills/ Additional Skills
* Referees
Personal Details
Obvious, but this section should contain
* Name
* Address (home and term-time)
* Phone
* E-mail
* Date of Birth
* Don’t include marital state/health
* Only put gender if you have an unfamiliar first name
* Nationality is not always necessary
Education
Put this in reverse chronological order
* Degree subject and class
* A levels / AS levels or equivalent - with grades
* GCSEs- not necessary to list individual subjects and grades
Don’t include
* Primary school details
* University and school address
* Minor qualifications - list these elsewhere
* A level or GCSE examining boards
Employment or Work Experience
Put this in reverse chronological order
* You can include all employment/ work experience, paid or unpaid, but you may find it useful to divide it into ‘related’ and ‘other’, if appropriate
* Describe the duties and skills needed, even for basic jobs
* Expand on the skills developed
Referees
Two are usually enough
* always ask permission
* the ideal is one from university, one employer
* check addresses
* give postcodes, phone numbers and e-mail addresses
Responsibilities and Achievements
If you have had few formal responsibilities, ignore this heading
* Concentrate on the last three years (approx.), don’t give too much space to school
* Expand on skills developed
* Include student membership of committees, organising social events, anything in the wider community
Interests (and Achievements)
Don’t just give a list
* explain what was involved in taking part in the drama production - teamwork, reliability, time management
* or captaining the cricket team - you need skills in communication, diplomacy, negotiation, motivation ,strategy and planning ,teamwork
* emphasise achievements. If one of your interests is music, and you represented your county - blow your own trumpet!
Other Skills
Odds and ends - like
* driving licence
* languages - to what level
* computing skills - programs, spreadsheets
* Duke of Edinburgh Award
* speech and drama
* music
* sporting/coaching qualifications
Should I use the same CV for every job?
* Not really necessary to alter it for individual employers - your covering letter is the place to highlight things
* Can be useful to change it for different types of employer
* Sometimes worth it if you are applying for a job that needs particular skills or interests - advertising, or graphic design jobs for example
What is a Personal Statement/Profile?
* often inserted between name and personal details
* it summarises experience, skills and ambitions
* can be useful for those in mid career
* for example:
Highly motivated and committed to a career in the public sector. A good team worker with well developed communication skills, gained through enthusiastic participation in student and community organisations. Varied work experience, including a spell with local authority playschemes.
* try to avoid anything that sounds like a personal mission statement
I’m a mature student - how should I write a CV?
* try to anticipate any problems you may face as a mature student within your CV
* explain reasons for returning to education, or changing your career
* don’t leave any gaps - if you have taken time out to have a family, include this time
* put a positive spin on any experience you may have - for example, if you have been at home raising a family emphasise skill such as:
* time management - juggling child care with study or part time work; dealing with several problems at once, rarely without interruption
* negotiation skills - vital in child rearing
I want to work abroad eventually - can I use a CV?
* CV format varies from country to country - you must adapt to your market
* German employers are far more interested in your academic qualifications than your extra curricular ones
* A résumé for the US market need only be a page long