CV Writing Guide
Before you start your CV you will need to prepare some information:
1. Buy a memory stick – to save your CV
2. Write a list of things that you are good at – think about all the skills you have. It
does not have to be exam based. For example “Health and Safety Training”,
“Customer Service Training” or “Good Team player”
3. Write down your work history. You will need the dates and the name of the job
and who you worked for. Include a description of the type of job you had.
4. The profile is the section that introduces you to the employer. This can take time
to prepare so don’t worry. It is a way of describing who you are, what you have
done and what you want to do in the future.
You are now ready to look at the CV template and think about inputting the information
you have prepared.
You will also find a sample CV so that you can have an idea of what it should look like.
Once you have completed your CV, speak to your Job Centre Plus advisor to
find out the best person to check it for you.
Sample CV
Alex Brown
82 Westfield Avenue
Moulton
Leicestershire
LE22 1LS
Tel: (0116) 2772934
Email: ajbrown@hotmail.com
PROFILE
I am an efficient and reliable Office Administrator with up-to-date ICT qualifications and
twelve years relevant experience gained through working in a variety of firms. After
taking a career break to raise a family, I am now keen to re-enter the job market in a
position of responsibility that uses my administrative and customer service skills.
KEY SKILLS
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Good communication skills, both verbal and in writing
Good interpersonal skills with experience of providing efficient customer service in
both an office and retail environment
Ability to use my own initiative and make decisions
ECDL qualification – experienced in Word, Access, Excel and Sage
Good organisational skills
Able to work co-operatively as part of a team
EMPLOYMENT DETAILS
2001-present
Retail Assistant (part time)
Tesco, Fosse Park, Leicester
Responsible for customer service, using the till, maintaining stock
levels on shelves and operating packing machinery.
1998-2001
Career Break to care for my children
1994-98
Office Supervisor
Wheeler’s Solicitors, 6, Burns Way, Olney, Leicester
Active member of Leicester Pre-school Learning Alliance including
acting as Secretary for two years and being a key member of the
fund-raising team.
Responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the office and
supervising six junior members of staff. I also operated a customer
enquiry help-line and managed a database system.
1988- 94
Receptionist / Secretary
Smith& Co, 62, West Street, Moulton, Leicester
Providing efficient secretarial services for four accountancy partners
including: correspondence, maintaining records and filing, processing
accounts using ‘Sage’, dealing with customers at reception.
1986-88
Receptionist / Secretary (various temporary positions)
Green Arrow Employment Agency, Mill Lane, Leicester
QUALIFICATIONS and TRAINING
ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence)
Word Processing and Spreadsheets modules
OCR Adult Numeracy Certificate
Level 2
OCR CLAIT (Certificate in Computer Literacy and Information Technology) Word, Excel
and Access
RSA Stage 2 Text Processing
NVQ 2 in Office Management
GCSE
Psychology
Sociology
English Language
English Literature
French
VOLUNTARY WORK
2005-present
Volunteer at my children’s primary school, listening to children read
and helping with school trips and plays.
1995-1999
Regular participant in Leicestershire Wildlife Trust Working Parties at
weekends, undertaking practical work to conserve the environment.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
I have a clean driving licence and I am a car-owner.
I can speak and write French fluently and frequently visit France
In my spare time I enjoy gardening and visiting nature reserves with my family.
I am an active member of a gym and I swim regularly to keep fit.
REFERENCES
References available on request
Name and Address
Profile
Key Skills
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Employment History
Date from and To
Job Title, Name of Company
Description of job role
Qualifications and Training
Name of Qualification or Training. List with the most recent first.
Voluntary Work
Date from and To
Name of voluntary work and brief description of work
Additional Information
Mention your hobbies, if you have a current driving licence. If you are a member of any
organisations, etc
References
Available on request