Cv writing

HOW TO WRITE A CV Mrs Mandley

WHAT IS A CV? A CV is your life story A summary of your Experience, Skills & Education Your chance to sell yourself Contains Key Facts and Information About You

KEY FACTS AND INFORMATION  Contact

Information  Education  Qualifications  Work Experience  Relevant Skills  Personal Interests  References

NOT REQUIRED  Standard

A4.

 No

CV no longer than 2 sides of

Photo (unless requested)

 Date

or Place of Birth

 Details

of Referees (Available on Request is sufficient)

GENERAL POINTS 

Grammar: No mistakes! Use spell check and get someone to proof read.



Grammar Use active verbs where possible (created, devised, analysed)



Layout: List highest grades first and most attractive skills and talents towards top of CV



Presentation: Use bullet points for Lists,



Use clear font (Verdana, Lucida Sans) avoid Comic Sans

TYPES OF CV  Chronological  Functional/Skills-Based  Hybrid

CONTACT INFORMATION 

Full address including postcode



Landline and mobile telephone numbers



Email address (if current email not appropriate create a new one!)



MAKE SURE ALL DETAILS ARE CORRECT

PROFILE ď ľ

Aim for 2 sentences.

ď ľ

Provide a bold statement outlining your purpose & include characteristics, skills, experience and sector interest.

ď ľ

Ambitious and personable history graduate with wide ranging experience due to a variety of summer jobs, gap year abroad and involvement in team activities. Seeking to combine academic achievements and work experience in a challenging role in the retail sector.

PROFILE ď ľ

I am a highly motivated and adaptable individual with experience in customer service and administration. A recent graduate, I am seeking a role to build on my biological studies.

ď ľ

A versatile and professional law graduate with broad ranging experience in a range of law-related areas including employment law and housing. Seeking to combine academic achievements and work experience in a challenging role in the voluntary sector

EDUCATION 

List your primary & secondary schools including postcodes and dates you attended



ALWAYS START YOUR LIST WITH THE MOST RECENT SCHOOL



From



Sep 93 – Jul 00 St Joseph’s, Main Square, Southampton SO12 5PD

To

QUALIFICATIONS 

List any examinations you have taken or are taking



Give month and year plus grade



START WITH MOST RECENT



A Level: Sep 15 – Jul 17 History (Grade pending) Maths (Grade pending)



GCSE: Sep 13 – Jul 15 History 

Maths



Physics

Grade A*

Grade A* Grade A

WORK EXPERIENCE 

LIST MOST RECENT EXPERIENCE FIRST



Include paid and unpaid/voluntary employment.



Give an outline of the role and highlight the transferrable skills you gained

RELEVANT SKILLS/COMPETENCIES 

EIGHT MOST POPULAR QUALITIES



Communication skills, verbal & written



Team skills



Attention to detail



Energy/dynamism/drive



Initiative



Ability to handle pressure



Enthusiasm



Leadership

COMPETENCY STATEMENTS 

Always back up statements with examples



Communication Skills: my diverse range of experiences at school, work and in extra-curricular activities has enabled me to acquire strong verbal and written skills.



Team Skills: As a member of a Duke of Edinburgh Expedition I worked with the rest of the group to ensure that we all completed the route safely despite extremely adverse weather conditions.

PERSONAL INTERESTS 

Mention hobbies that are relevant to the job for which you are applying.



Mention hobbies that allow you to demonstrate additional skills.



Do not include generic examples such as reading, going to the cinema or socialising with friends.

BE HONEST ď ľ

Never lie on your CV

ď ľ

For Example: Altering your degree grade from a 2:2 to a 2:1 is classed as degree fraud and can result in a prison sentence.

SCHOOL LEAVER CV CHECKLIST 

Contact details



Full details of all paid jobs



Details of any voluntary work



Full educational qualifications



Interests/hobbies



Emphasize achievements and results



Believable competency statements with evidence



Snappy profile statement



Laser-printed on high-quality paper



References available on request

COVERING LETTER 

All CVs should be accompanied by a covering letter



Never more than one page long



As well laid out as CV



Do not state information which can be gathered from reading your CV



Typed unless a handwritten letter requested

CONTENTS OF COVERING LETTER 

Your name, address and phone number



Name of the person to whom you are writing, their job title & address



Dear Ms/Sir



First sentence should include the job, reference number, where you saw the advert



2 sentences of competency statements



2 sentences about why the job/employer is right for you



Request for reply



Signature with name typed below