How to write your CV

Targeting your CV to the skills and experiences required in the job for which you are applying?

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King Edward VI College

Preparation1. Research the Skills RequiredA CV allows you to present yourself in the best possible light. It is a great opportunity for you to relate your skills and experiences to those required by each particular employer.

Because no two jobs or organisations are exactly the same, there is no such thing as a standard CV. Each time you apply for a job it’s up to you to identify the skills required.

For example: A bar job may require good teamwork skills and excellent verbal communication skills

Most employers require a mix of technical skills and transferable skills such as teamwork and good organisation

How to find out what skills are required:

1. Look at the organisation’s web-site2. Highlight the key words in the personal specification (either published with

the vacancy details or on the employer’s brochure / website)3. Look at the skills required for similar vacancies

4. Ask yourself what skills would be required in that role.5. Check out the Job Profiles section of the National Careers Service website

for tips.

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Teamwork

Leadership

Communication

Organisation

Your CV is your shop-window advertising

Remember –

Employers have about a

minute to read your CV – if it’s

not clearly focussed on

the skills required it will end up in the

The Top 26 Skills Required by Employers

Willingness to learnCommitmentDependability/reliabilitySelf-motivationTeam workLeadershipCommunication skills (oral)Co-operationCommunication skills (written)Drive/energySelf-managementDesire to achieve/motivationProblem solving ability

FlexibilityInitiativeCan summarise key issuesLogical argumentAdaptability (intellectual)NumeracyAdaptability (organisational)Can cope with pressure/stressTime managementRapid conceptualisation of issuesEnquiry and research skillsSelf-confidenceAnalytical ability

2. Identify when you’ve shown the required skillsThink of a recent time in your life when you have shown each of the key skills required, e.g. at college/school, at work or during sporting/social pursuits. Work experience is particularly attractive to employers.

The table below shows how you might provide evidence for two key skills. Note how the examples provided are taken from a wide range of activities.

Skill Examples of Evidence Your evidenceCommunication –

Interpersonal Work experience (everything from bar work to clerical work) Student Forum Student Ambassador Mentoring

Communication – Written

Publicity materials for voluntary or college activities Articles publications, scripts Essays, projects

3. CV Format

The most appropriate form of CV at this stage of your career is the Chronological CV.

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Chronological CVs (Traditional)

Focussed on skills! Most common form of CV Effective format for people with relevant

work experience Useful when the employer stresses your

experience Directly relate each experience (college,

work-experience and interests) to the skills required in the job

You choose the headings but include: Personal details Profile Education Work Experience interests Contact details for referees

Writing Your CVBefore putting pen to paper it is first necessary to research the skills required in the job you’re going for, and identify when you have demonstrated them.

General No more than 2 sides of A4 (can be more for academic CVs) Typed, with a clear, simple font (minimum size: 11 point) Short paragraphs of text (3/4 lines max) Mixture of bullet points and text (not too much of each) Allocate space according to relevance of information Don’t try to squash in as many words as possible – leave wide margins and plenty of white space (less is more) Use key words from the application and positive ‘action’ words Make sure dates are easy to see and start with the most recent first (don’t leave any

gaps) You choose the headings but include:

o Personal Detailso Profileo Educationo Work Experienceo Interestso Other achievements and additional skillso Contact details for referees

EducationAll start with your most recently gained qualifications.

A Levels with gradeo If the grade has not yet been achieved ensure you enter the predicted grade

and state CLEARLY that it is predicted only Don’t list all GCSEs (just Maths, English Language and Science)

o GCSEs : 8 subjects all passed at grade “B” or above, including English Language at A, Maths at A and Sciences at A & B

Work ExperienceRelate your work experience to the job

Include volunteer work, part-time jobs and vacation work, include most recent and relevant

Include dates, the job title, the name of the organisation and the town or city Dates do not have to be exact (Summer 2010 or Jun – Sep 2010 will do) Include a short job description highlighting the duties and achievements which are

relevant to the job you’re applying for – this can be bullet pointed Relate your experience to the skills required

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InterestsRelate your interests to the job you’re applying for just as you do for your education and work experience. You have to pass the ‘So what?’ test.

Other Achievements and Additional SkillsRelate these to the job you’re applying for just as you do for your education and work experience. What makes you stand out from the crowd?

ReferencesEither: Include a professional referee (a current employer or one from your recent past) if available and an academic referee (your personal tutor). If a professional reference is not available try to include a character reference e.g. friend of family in position of authority (magistrate, policeman, doctor).

Or: Write – References available upon request

Make sure you ask your referee’s permission to use them as your referee and tell them what sort of work you’re applying for

Include postal address and email

Key WordsBefore writing your CV highlight the key words included in the job description/personal specification for the vacancy (and similar vacancies). Include these words as you write your CV and when you’ve finished check to see if there all there.

Positive Action Words Avoid negative comments such as: ‘I feel I can’ / ‘I think I can’ Use positive words:

Ability; achieved; analysed; administered; conceived; determined; enthusiasm; enhanced; formed; guided; guaranteed; implemented; instigated; introduced; ingenuity; initiative; judgement; lasting; launched; maintained; managed; merit; negotiated; organised; performed; progress; planned; presented; promoted; redesigned; responsible; stability; stimulated; surpassed; thorough

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EXAMPLE OF CHRONOLOGICAL CV

Andrew HowardAddress line 1Address line 2

T: 0000 111 2222M: 0000 111 2222

E: me@madeupemail.com

PROFILE

This is a brief statement of your main selling points and what you are looking for.

EDUCATION

2008-2010 - A Levels - Handsworth College

Business Studies - AMathematics - BEnglish  AAccounting - B

2004-2008 - GCSE's Josiah Mason Secondary School

8 subjects all passed at grade “B” or above, including English Language (A), Maths (B) and Sciences (A & B)

WORK HISTORY

SALES ASSISTANT - Company name, TownMarch 2010 - present 

Duties include:

Meeting members of the public, assisting them with and recommending suitable purchases, promoting additional services such as warranties

Acting as a first point of contact for complaints or queries. Responsible for stock replenishment and maintaining the general appearance of the

store. To carry out my role it is necessary to have well developed interpersonal skills, good

attention to detail, good organisational skills and timekeeping.

INTERESTS

Examples: Team sports, hobbies,

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OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS AND ADDITIONAL SKILLS

I.T: Regular user of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Maple 6 (mathematics software) and am familiar with research on the Internet and using E-mail.

Brownie Leader: I am an active leader for the Brownies which involves taking girls on pack holidays and day trips, helping to prepare badge work and developing evening meeting programmes and developing. Improves stamina, imagination and patience.

Duke of Edinburgh Award to (state level)

Full clean driving licence held for (number) years.

REFERENCES 

Available on request.

OR

Mrs K GreenPersonal TutorKing Edward VI CollegeKing Edward RoadNuneatonCV11 4BEEmail: karen.green@kinged6nun.ac.uk

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The average recruiter will spend 20/30 seconds glancing at your CV so they need to be easy to read, clear and concise – no more than two pages.

CV Do’s and Don'ts

Do

Adapt each CV to the job you're applying for - This doesn't necessarily mean writing a new CV every time you apply for a job, just edit some sections to make it more specific rather than being vague.

Keep your school leaver CV concise - Never make your CV any longer than two sides of A4 paper. College leavers won't have plenty of experience so don't feel like you have to waffle just to fill up both sides - remember its quality over quantity.

Word process your CV - This way your CV will automatically be checked for spelling and grammar mistakes. It also looks much more professional if your CV is typed up. Make sure you use a font such as Times New Roman or Arial and make sure it's no larger than size 12.

Proof read your CV - Although typing your CV on a computer will also check spelling and grammar; it's always good to read through it yourself to check that it makes sense and that there are no spelling mistakes.

Don’t

Lie- It's really not worth it because employers will usually have a copy of your CV in your interview and may question you about stuff you have mentioned.

CV CHECKLIST1. Have you targeted your CV at the skills and experience required? i.e. have you

proved that you have the skills required for the particular role you’re applying for?

2. Have you demonstrated how you’ve shown each skill (Rather than just listed them)?

3. Have you used positive action words and key words from the personal specification?

4. Have you highlighted the main points?

5. Are the dates easy to see?

6. Have you checked the spelling and grammar?

7. Is it attractive and easy to read?

8. Is your CV short (two pages)?

9. Have you whetted the reader’s appetite?

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