How to Produce a CV. What is a CV? Tips for Writing Your CV. What to Include

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1 How to Produce a CV What is a CV? CV stands for Curriculum Vita which is Latin for Life Details. It is information that sets out your personal details and anything else that will help you get an interview. It is your personal calling card to advertise what you are selling YOU. A CV is not like an application form where you have to answer set questions. If you call into a company to apply for a job and they ask you to leave your details it is much easier to give them your CV. Tips for Writing Your CV A CV is your personal publicity leaflet and needs to be kept up to date as you gain more qualifications, experience or employment. A CV should be neatly and clearly presented as first impressions count. There is no set way to lay out a CV. Do Present your details neatly Use good quality paper Set it out so it is easy to read Keep it simple Keep it short no more than 2 pages. Double-check for errors Don t Sell yourself short Send it unchecked Include referee details before asking their permission What to Include It is not essential to put the words Curriculum Vitae at the top. Your CV is about you so your name should stand out. You might include a passport photo. Name, address, postcode, contact telephone numbers, Personal Profile This paragraph of 2/3 lines should describe you in a nutshell. Employers get a lot of CV s. This part should set you out from the crowd. Sell yourself. Use some of the words from the Action Words section of this leaflet. Education Give details of the secondary school(s) you have attended.

2 Qualifications How you show your qualifications depends on what you are trying to highlight. If you have enough space you may want to list your subjects and grades. A simple statement can sum up your education. The interviewer may then want to go into more detail. Include all courses eg First Aid, Babysitting Certificates, Duke of Edinburgh, etc. Employment Experience Include any work experience and part-time jobs. Start with the most recent and work backwards in time. List what you have done to show your skills and experience. Interests Include any voluntary work you have done, membership of teams or organisations, clubs, etc. Where do you like to go? Have you done anything you are really proud of? Personal Date of Birth and eventually declare if you pass your driving test References If you can provide a referee state Available on Request. (Don t waste space listing names and addresses) Covering Letter to Accompany your CV The letter you send with your CV is just as important as the CV itself. The letter should be in 3 sections. The first section says why you are sending a CV, either to apply for an advertised vacancy or on spec to see if there are any jobs going. The second briefly highlights your skills, experience or personal qualities that match those needed for the job. Finally, you need a sentence to finish off the letter, eg If you consider me suitable, I look forward to hearing from you. Example I wish to apply for the above vacancy advertised in the Gazette on Monday 10 August and enclose my CV. I enjoy working with wood and have developed practical skills in DT at school. I help out with jobs at home and have recently put up new shelves in my sisters bedroom. I am hardworking, reliable and keen to learn. I look forward to hearing from you. Personal Profile (the important bit)

3 Your personal profile tells someone about you as a person. The average length of time spent by an employer reading your CV is 20 to 30 seconds. You have to give a personal profile that can hold an employer s attention long enough to make them want to find out more about you. When you write your profile think about the job you are applying for and choose the skills and qualities you have that will be relevant. To help you write your profile, complete the section below. Action words to use in your personal profile. Tick the words that describe you. Able Creative Persuasive Skilful Accurate Diplomatic Positive Sociable Adaptable Effective Practical Approachable Enterprising Problem Solver Tactful Articulate Enthusiastic Professional Trained Artistic Experienced Punctual Trustworthy Efficient Bright Flexible Versatile Bold Friendly Qualified Capable Good Communicator Caring Hardworking Reliable Committed Helpful Resourceful Confident Honest Responsible Conscientious Motivated Gathering Information to help you Under each of the following headings think of some selling points about yourself. Skills (I can).. Personal Qualities (I am). Experiences and Achievements (I have) C V Example Jane Smith

4 24 High Street Boroughbridge YO51 9XX Tel or mobile Personal Profile Ambition is to train as a nursery nurse. Enjoy working with children and my experience in a nursery has confirmed my suitability to this career. I am creative and hardworking with good sense of humour. Employment/Work Experience September 2014 present Sales Assistant Next plc, Knaresborough Duties include serving customers, displaying merchandise, keeping stock tidy and fetching stock onto the sales floor from the warehouse. May 2012 Nursery Nurse Happy Jays, Boroughbridge 2 Weeks work experience where I gained some insight in helping to look after the babies which included feeding and changing nappies. I also organised activities for structured play with toddlers. I helped with the different activities such as crafts, outdoor play, singing and serving drinks and snacks. Interests I enjoy babysitting. I have two young cousins who I like looking after. I am a volunteer helper at Rainbows. I like to socialise with my friends and enjoy going to the cinema. I was a 6 th form representative on the school council Education Boroughbridge High School Qualifications 2013 A Level (predicted grades) Biology C Business Studies BB (double award) 2012 AS Level History D 2011 GCSE Maths C English C Science D Business C Food Tech B Art B ICT D Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award 2011 Personal Full Driving Licence Date of Birth 15 February 1997 References Available on request

5 C V Example Andrew Bates 16 Strawberry Dale Boroughbridge YO51 9XX Tel: Mobile: Personal Profile: I am hardworking, conscientious and always aim to work to the best of my ability. I have recently been involved in a drama production at school which gave me experience of working in a team and responsibility for the lighting. I get on well with people. Education: Sept 2005 July 2010 Boroughbridge High School Qualifications: June 2010 GCSE s English, Maths, ICT Science, Geography Business Studies Grade B Grade C Grade D Employment Aug 2007 Dec 2010 Pybus News Paper Round June 2009 Work Experience placement at Charlton s Garage for 2 weeks I worked in the office booking cars in for MOT and servicing I worked on the computer I helped to keep the office tidy I did filing and photocopying Interests I enjoy playing and listening to music. I play guitar in a band. I play football for Boroughbridge Town FC and enjoy playing tennis at Aldborough Tennis Club in the summer. Date of Birth 14 April 1995 References Available on request Sept 2015