Writing a CV

What is a Curriculum Vitae?

A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a brief description of you. You can use a CV when applying for a job, or writing to an employer to ask if they have any vacancies (this is called a speculative enquiry).

Employers will use your CV to get an idea of how suitable for a job you are likely to be, so it’s important to spend some time getting it right.

Here are a few tips:

Your CV should be to the point and fit onto one or two sheets of white A4 paper.
It should be typed using a clear font (such as Arial) and laid out clearly.
Always get someone to check your final CV.
If you name people who can give you a reference, make sure you have asked their permission first.
Keep the original safe and update it as you gain new skills/experience.

Start by collecting the following information:

Your three strongest and best personality qualities.

Your strongest and best skills, with examples to prove them.

Your experience in any work environment or your key transferable skills.

Here are some key points to consider when creating your CV:

Research the employer – check their adverts, see if they have a website.
Analyse the job adverts – what are they really saying they want?
Research the career or occupation – what sort of CVs are the norm?
Try to match yourself against what the career/employer is demanding – check what your particular selling points will be.
Consider carefully how layout/word-processing tricks and uniqueness can make your CV stand out from the pile.

When writing your CV:

Be slightly boastful

Most CVs are overly modest or over the top arrogant. Try and aim for something which offers real information but do not forget to let the employer know about your real achievements and skills.

Be specific

Try and use quantifiable information in your CV such as “increased sales by 50%” or “developed marketing plan which generated 45% extra business”.

Use positive language

Avoid saying that you do not have experience of… tell the employer what you can do and what you have the potential to develop into.

Check your spelling

Be sure to check your spelling and check again. Employers will not spend time reading a CV if you haven’t spent the time to check it for errors!

Important Skills

Remember; no one is good at everything, so only talk about the skills that you are confident with.

Communication skills – being able to talk, listen and present information.
Interpersonal skills – being able to relate to other people, mix well, interested in people.
Numerical skills – being confident with numbers, basic arithmetic, maths etc.
Analytical skills – being able to analyse information and make sense of it.
Problem-solving skills – being able to offer solutions to problems, and work through tasks.
Teamwork skills – the ability to work with others to achieve something.
Leadership skills – being willing to take responsibility, and encourage others.

Top 3 Reasons for CV Rejections:

First impressions

If the CV looks bad, it will hit the bin the fastest. Employers claim that poor presentation stops them before they start.

The person applying just didn’t fit the job role

that means that either their experience or qualifications was a mis-fit to what the employer wanted.

CV was too long

A too long CV rarely makes the cut into the pile of CVs that beg to be read. Most employers want 2 pages maximum.

Find some CV templates by clicking here

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