What should be included:

There is no set format – how you present your CV is up to you. However, you should include at least the following:

• your name

• your address

• your phone number

• your e-mail address (if you have one)

You don’t need to include your date of birth. Laws on discrimination mean that you don’t need to put your age or date of birth on your CV.

A personal profile

This is a short statement at the beginning of your CV to sell yourself – your skills, experience and personal qualities. You could include positive words such as “competent”, “adaptable”, and “conscientious”. Tailor the statement to the requirements of each job that you apply for, so that you make it clear to the employer that you’re right for the job.

Qualifications and training

Include any qualifications and training from previous jobs (for example, training in health and safety or a certificate in food hygiene). Put the most recent first and include any qualifications that you got from school or college.

Work Experience (Professionally and Voluntary)

Put your most recent job first and include dates. Employers will be more interested in what you have done recently. Emphasise the skills and experience you have gained across those jobs (for example, skills in dealing with customers or communication skills).

Interests

These can support your application if your hobbies and leisure activities highlight 

responsibilities and skills that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. 

Achievements

Mention things you did well in your past jobs which could be relevant to the job you’re applying for.

References

It’s good to have two or more people who can provide a work or personal reference. Ideally, one should be your most recent employer. If you haven’t worked for a while it could be someone who has known you for a long time. It should be someone who can comment on your qualities in relation to the job. You should ask the person to agree to this beforehand.

If you're worried about what to put on your cv because you haven't had a job or completed work experience/ volunteering experience.... 

It might also be worth thinking about arranging voluntary experience that can really boost your cv. 

If you need help with arranging work experience please contact our work placement team. 

Click the link for work experience support : https://sites.google.com/blackpoolsixth.ac.uk/the-work-placement-hub/home

Otherwise... think about what you can talk about!

• Have you done any fundraising/ charity work?

• Academic coursework/ projects you can talk about 

• Hobbies or Interests showcasing key skills 

• Were you a school prefect?

• Have you helped at any events in education or elsewhere?

• Highlight your achievements - any awards/ training you have completed. 

• Are you good at IT? e.g. word/ excel

• Can you discuss anything you do in your spare time e.g. youtuber, streamer, vlogger, blogger? 

Useful Links 

https://jobhelp.campaign.gov.uk/how-to-write-a-cv-with-no-experience/

Suggested structure for your covering letter:

 First Paragraph

State the job you’re applying for.

Where you found out about it (advert in The Guardian newspaper etc. - organisations like to know which of their advertising sources are being successful).

When you're available to start work (and end if it's a placement).

 Second Paragraph

Why you're interested in that type of work.

Why the company attracts you (if it's a small company say you prefer to work for a small friendly organisation!)

 Third Paragraph

Summarise your strengths and how they might be an advantage to the organisation.

Relate your skills to the competencies required in the job.

 Last Paragraph

Mention any dates that you won't be available for interview.

Thank the employer and say you look forward to hearing from them soon.

 If you start with a name (e.g. "Dear Mr Bloggs") you should end with "Yours sincerely". If you start with "Dear Sir or Madam" you should end with "Yours faithfully".