CV Advice
Your CV is your first point of contact with potential employers that enables you to demonstrate your achievements. Many placement employers will specify an application via CV and covering letter, which gives you around three pages to convince them why you are the right candidate for the job, or at least deserve an interview.
This page gives you examples, advice, and tips of how to write an informative and convincing CV.
CV Templates
Template 1: Click Here
Template 2: Click Here
Template 3: Click Here
Template 4: Click Here
Example CV’s
Example 1: Click Here
Example 2: Click Here
Sections of a CV
a) Personal Details
- Full name - you can use your name as a heading, especially if space is at a premium
- Address - both term time and holiday addresses if relevant, with dates you are at each location
- Telephone numbers - including any mobile number
- Email address
- Date of birth - it is usual to include this. However 2006 legislation means employers cannot discriminate against applicants on the basis of age. Speak to a Careers Adviser if you need more information.
- Work Permit - If you are an international student and have permission to work in the UK it might be to your advantage to write ‘No work permit required’.
Tip: Make this section as small as possible to give more space for the more important sections later on.
b) Education
- University - Give the name of your university, dates attended, and the title of your course. End of year grades are important but you should also add information about modules studied, your project work or dissertation and the skills you have developed through these aspects of your degree.
Tip: This section can be tailored to the area of work you are seeking. For example, if you want to get into Human Resources, highlighting a module on Organisational Behaviour would be relevant.
- Give the name of your school or college, dates attended and list your qualifications.
Tip: to save space, do not list all your GCSEs; give your overall grades and only include the individual breakdown for the key subjects.
c) Work Experience
- This is one of the most important sections of your CV.
- Make the most of placements, holiday or part time work. Don’t omit jobs just because they sound basic or mundane - the fact that you got one shows initiative.
- Try to include between 3-5 examples of your work experience
- List your experiences in chronological order, with the most recent first.
- Describe the most relevant and interesting aspects of your employment but also add the skills you used or developed during this time.
d) Skills
This section gives you the opportunity to highlight relevant skills. It is useful to sort the skills into different categories, for example Languages, IT Skills and Other Skills.
e) Interests and Activities
Don’t give a list, provide some evidence. If you have a mix of interests, for example sport and music, group all your sporting interests together under a sub-heading. An interest which supports your job application might add weight to your application.
f) References
You need at least two referees: one should be someone who can comment on your academic experience and performance, the other should concentrate more on character, personality and non-academic skills (perhaps a former employer or family friend).
Give the title, name and full address, telephone number if possible, email address and indicate the referee’s status and relationship to you. Ask permission before quoting anyone as a referee. This is an opportunity for you to ensure your referee is informed about the applications you are making. Give each referee an up-to-date copy of your CV. That way they will be better able to expand on what you have said and emphasise the most relevant aspects of your character and experience.
Tip: If space is at a premium just write “references available on request”
Contribute
If you want to add anything to this page, leave a comment, hint or tip, please contact us or write in the box below.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
The biggest mistake people make when writing their own CV is to include too much detail. Remember that the purpose of the CV is to demonstrate to the prospective employer what you can offer to their organisation. If you are applying for a graduate placement, remember that the employers will be expecting to receive applications from graduates just like you, who may have little or no work experience. Remember always to tell the truth and never try to ‘big-up’ your skills and/or achievements just to impress a prospective employer, chances are they’ll see right through it!