CV Checklist

CV THE

CHECKLIST BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR CV ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Format

Websites 02. 03. 04. 05. 06. 08. 10. 11.

Content and Qualifications

Employment History

Personal/Professional Attributes

Useful Action Phrases for CVs

Cover Letters

Words to Use and Not to Use

FORMAT

A well-structured format makes the CV easy to read and highlights your strengths and experience effectively.

Have you included all your correct and up to date contact details? Do you want to include your LinkedIn profile address?

Is your name at the top?

Don’t put ‘CV’ as your title, employers know it’s a CV.

Does your CV have clear headings so the employer can easily find the information they want?

Have you used bullet points and spacing to professionally present your information?

Don’t use too many bullet points, clear and concise.

Is there consistent formatting throughout, headers and font size, spacing between section?

Have you used a sensible and legible font in an appropriate size?

Have you checked for correct use of capital letters, punctuation, spelling and grammar?

Have you included any colour that won’t be visible if printed on a black and white printer?

Is it a maximum of 2 pages?

Have you included a cover letter?

CV CONTENT

Has an appropriate decision been made on whether to include a Personal Statement or not? If yes, have you tailored it to reflect the essential and desirable criteria in the job advert?

Are the sections placed in the best order to highlight strengths? (which is stronger, work experience or education)

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Have you included your academic qualifications starting from your most recent and working back?

Have you included relevant modules you studied in your degree?

(also any projects/ dissertation/ team work which evidences skills appropriate to job description.

Has appropriate space been given to each educational achievement?

(most space to highest level)

Are all relevant institutions, names, dates, qualifications and results clearly stated?

Have you included your work and volunteering history and related the job roles to the position you are applying for?

Have you included employer names, your job title and dates in your work history?

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Is there appropriate prioritisation of work experience?

Can be divided into Relevant Work History and Other Work History. Have you included measure of your achievements?

For example instead of ‘Served customers in the shop’ try ‘Provided excellent customer service in a fast paced environment to meet company targets of 40 sales per hour and increased weekly turnover by 15% over target.’

All experience is valuable experience

Have you used active words?

To be effective, a CV should be written in active voice using verbs. ‘Responsible for’, or noun phrases tied with prepositions, such as ‘member of’ or ‘involved in’, are the passive voice. The active voice is more natural, direct and shows measure, for example ‘Coordinated and delivered….’ or ‘Assessed and approved….’

ATTRIBUTES

PERSONAL / PROFESSIONAL

Do you need a Key Skills section?

Can the employer clearly see your relevant skill set, including extra-curricular activities/ awards/ memberships?

Include name of organisation, title of role and dates.

Have you included an Interests and Achievements section and showcased yourself as a wellrounded person who would be a good fit with this company?

Have you included two references who aren’t related to you?

Have you avoided unnecessary information?

04

Examples that should not be included in relevant UK CV e.g. Primary School information, nationality, marital status, medical history, photograph, slang, acronyms, gender, age

USEFUL ACTION PHRASES FOR CVS

More than (?) years extensive and diverse experience in Expertise and demonstrated skills in

Extensive academic/practical background in Experienced in all facets/phases/aspects of Knowledge of/experienced as/in Extensive training/involvement in Proficient/competent at Initially employed to/joined organisation to specialise in Provided technical assistance to Worked closely with Constant interaction with Promoted to

Succeeded in Proven track record in Experience involved/included Successful/Proficient in/at Reported to In charge of Now involved in Familiar with Employed to Assigned to Edited Established/ Initiated Formulated Implemented Managed Instrumental in Coordinated/Organised Designed and developed Updated/upgraded Attained/Awarded

IFYOU WERE AN EMPLOYER, WOULD YOU READ YOURCV AND HIRE YOU?

If given the chance to submit a cover letter, it’s highly recommended you do so.

COVER LETTERS

COVER LETTER DO’s

Be succinct: your letter should be one-side of an A4 page or within the word count, if specified.

Address your letter to a named person wherever possible for maximum impact.

Tailor your letter to the job advert and include the skills they are looking for.

Get someone else to proofread your letter, don’t only rely on the computer spellcheck.

Ensure readability: use a legible font type and size (11-14 pt) and use paragraphs.

Ensure you have the company name, address and details correct.

Show your enthusiasm for the company and the vacancy.

COVER LETTER DON’Ts

Don’t repeat what is written in your CV

Don’t spill over onto a second page or go over the word count –it means you’ve written too much.

Don’t share unnecessary personal details.

Don’t focus solely on your qualifications and forget about your experiences and transferable skills.

Don’t address it ‘To whom it may concern’ – use a named person if known, ‘Dear Sir/Madam’ or address it to the hiring manager.

Don’t send the same cover letter to every employer.

Don’t forget to include your correct and complete address, including your postcode.

HOW TO WRITE A COVER LETTER

Why do I need a Cover Letter?

Whether you are submitting a CV, by paper or electronically, you should always include a cover letter

Employers address

(include postcode)

Dear (Named Contact or Sir/Madam)

First paragraph

• Why you are writing the letter

• State the position you ' re applying for

• Where you saw it advertised

• You have enclosed your CV for their consideration

Second paragraph

It’s the first document the employer will read. It allows you to demonstrate your professionalism. Makes your application more personal. Draws attention to key areas of interest in your CV

Demonstrates your writing ability

No more than 1 page

Tailored to the job your applying for

Your address (include postcode) Date

Named persons have increased response rates

Tailor EVERY part of your letter to the jobs description

• Why you want to work in this particular sector

• Why you want to work for THIS company in THIS job– be specific

Third paragraph

• What skills YOU can offer THIS company

• Refer to the job description and match the specific skills they are looking for

Last paragraph

• Indicate how you are looking forward to receiving a response

Mentioning any unavailable dates for interview

Thank the employer for their time

Yours Sincerely, (if a named contact)

Yours Faithfully, (if Dear Sir/Madam)

Sign Your Name in Pen Type your name

Useful Words

Ambition

Substantial Abundant

Resilient Useful

Reputable

Also

Experience in….

Responsible for….

I like to….

I’ve been told….

I feel….

ALWAYS

Best

Synergy

Go-to person

Results-driven

Bottom-line

Strategic thinker

Dynamic

Self-motivate

Detail-oriented

Track record (Source: www.forbes.com)

USEFUL WEBSITES

www.prospects.ac.uk

www.gradireland.com

www.targetjobs.co.uk

https://www.qub.ac.uk/ directorates/sgc/careers

You may wish to include your up-to-date LinkedIn profile or professional portfolio link to your CV. This should be placed under your contact details so that the recruiter can find it easily.

For those who use LinkedIn, the URL can be found by:

1. Logging into your LinkedIn account.

2. Clicking the ‘Me’ tab in the top navigation menu and selecting ‘View Profile’

3. Go to the top right hand corner and ‘Edit Public Profile and URL’. Highlight and copy the Web address as needed.

Note: You are advised to conduct a google self-search of your full online profile before applying to jobs (see www.qub.ac.uk/cybersmart )