Writing a great CV
In the process of getting a job, your CV is the first step. It needs to be sharp, relevant and make the employer want to find out more about you. Keep to two sides of word-processed A4 and use bullet points to get information across concisely.
Include these main sections:
• Personal details: this is your name, address, phone number and email address. Make sure this is reasonably professional - not a nickname!
• Education and skills: this describes what you’ve done so far and what you hope to do in your career. Think about the jobs you are going for and where you want them to lead to - would you like to be a manager or gain certain qualifications? You want to appeal to employers in this section so be positive about your achievements.
• Employment history: Work through your employers starting with your current role and go backwards. Bullet point your responsibilities in each role - be specific - did you manage a budget? Did you have anyone reporting to you? What were the outcomes of projects?
• Education and skills: This again works from the most recent first and going backwards. Include relevant training - for example first aid - and appropriate skills. You don’t have to list every single GSCE result - pick out the things you have done that are really suited to the job you’re going for.
• Referees: Choose two people (normally a recent or current boss and a former employer/tutor from education) who you know will talk about you in glowing terms.
Once you’ve written your CV ask a trusted friend to look through it and give their opinion. Are you under-selling yourself? It can be hard to talk about your achievements without feeling like you’re boasting - but you must put yourself forward in the best light you can.
Check, check and check it again - have you used the correct spelling? Don’t just rely on your computer to pick up mistakes, it may not notice grammatical errors.
Make sure you’re honest - never, ever be tempted to lie on your CV. You’ll be found out.
