How to write a CV
“CV” is short for “Curriculum Vitae” which means “the story of your life” in Latin. Here’s how
to set one out.
Name: Write your full name
Address: Write your address
Telephone Numbers: Include your landline number with dial code and/or mobile
number - make sure your voicemail message is suitable for an employer to hear.
Email address: If your email address isn’t professional (i.e. is funny or rude) create another
separate account and use that just for work/college etc.
Social Media: Don’t mention your facebook or Twitter accounts but do mention your
Linkedin account if you have one (and make sure your profile is up to date).
Personal Profile: This should be around 5 lines and about your personality, career ambitions
and personal qualities. Target this section to the job you are applying for, highlight the
qualities you have that the employer’s looking for.
Education: Give details of secondary school (and college/university if applicable). Include
dates attended and qualifications (GCSEs/AS/A levels/BTECs/Degrees, etc). List your grades.
Start with your most recent school/college and work backwards.
Employment History: Start with your most recent job/work experience and work backwards.
Give the dates you worked for the company, the company name, your job title and duties,
picking out those most relevant to the job you are applying for.
Additional Information: Include other things such as:
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Skills relevant to the job
Achievements/awards
Driving license
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Knowledge of computer software
Positions of responsibility
First Aid Certificate etc.
Hobbies and Interests: Mention any hobbies and interests you currently have.
Referees: You will need two referees. One should be someone who has known you more
than 2 years and has worked in a position of responsibility. The second should come from
your last employer or from a head of year/tutor, etc.
CV TIPS
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Include a cover letter with your CV
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Use plain white A4 paper and type it up
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Keep it to one or two pages, no more. Use bold headings and underlining
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Target skills and achievements to the job you are applying for
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Check grammar, punctuation and spelling
How to write a CV
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Use an A4 envelope to send it – don’t fold it.
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If you aren’t getting interviews – look at your CV, it may need changing
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Even if your work experience isn’t relevant to the job you’re applying for, write it down
anyway, employment skills are transferable.
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Ask your referees if they’re happy to be contacted by employers before adding them
to your CV
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Update it every time you apply for a job, targeting your skills and achievements to the
job description.
Positive words to use in your CV
Active
Adaptable
Ambitious
Analytical
Bilingual
Business-minded
Calm
Capable
Caring
Committed
Conscientious
Confident
Creative
Dedicated
Dependable
Dynamic
Energetic
Enthusiastic
Experienced
Friendly
Flexible
Good
communicator
Good listener
Hard-working
High Achiever
Honest
Imaginative
Innovative
Kind
Logical
Loyal
Methodical
Motivated
Organised
Outgoing
Perceptive
Personable
Practical
Productive
Positive
Punctual
Reflective
Resourceful
Reliable
Serious
Skilled
Team Player
Technical
Thorough
Trustworthy
Versatile
You may also find the following sites useful
CV Builder for school leavers
http://www.reed.co.uk/career-advice/blog/2013/october/school-leaver-cvtemplate?utm_medium=scl&utm_source=twitt&utm_campaign=job_scl_twitt_&utm_content
=CA
CV Builder
www.reed.co.uk/cvbuilder?utm_medium=scl&utm_source=twitt&utm_campaign=job_scl_twi
tt_&utm_content=CA
Should I include social media accounts on my CV?
http://blog.grantham.edu/blog/bid/132065/Should-You-Include-Social-Media-Links-on-YourResume?goback=%2Egde_1976445_member_248252482#%21
How to write your employment history on your CV
http://hospitalityguild.co.uk/A-Career-in-Hospitality/CV-master-class/What-is-aCV/Employment-history