Compiling a cv
A CV (curriculum vitae) is a list of facts about you and your work history, skills and experience. A good CV is essential when looking for work and it is worth spending time getting it right so it sells you to an employer. What is your CV? Your CV should: 1. be neat, typed if possible and to the best standard you can achieve in content and layout 2. Have detailed information in a concise manner (no-one has the time to read essays)3. be positive, it should emphasise your achievements, strengths, successes and how you have contributed to your employers making a profit (add figures to support facts whenever you can and use positive action words, for example: ‘consulting’, ‘negotiating’, ‘managing’ and so on)4. make a good impression, this means presenting the facts about yourself in a clear and positive way There is no set format. How you present your CV is up to you but try and make it as neat as possible. However, you should include at least the following:1. your name2. your address3. your phone number4. an alternate contact number5. your email address6. your qualifications7. your career history Put your most recent job first and include dates. Employers will be more interested in what you have done recently. Don’t leave gaps between dates, because employers will want to know what you did during those periods. If you don’t have much work experience, you could include temporary, holiday, parttime or voluntary jobs too. If you’ve had many different jobs, emphasise the skills and experience you have gained across those jobs (for example, skills in dealing with customers or communication skills). Here are some examples you may want to include: A personal profile This is a short statement at the beginning of your CV to sell yourself, to show your skills, experience and personal qualities. You could include positive words such as ‘competent’, ‘adaptable’, and ‘conscientious’. Tailor the statement to the requirements of each job that you apply for, so that you make it clear to the employer that you’re the right person for the job. Achievements Mention things you did well in your past jobs which could be relevant to the job you’re applying for. Qualifications and training Include any qualifications and training from previous jobs (for example, training in health and safety or a certificate in food hygiene), put the most recent first, include qualifications you got from school or college. References You may not want to include these details on your CV but it’s good to have two or more people who can provide a work or personal reference. Ideally, one should be your most recent employer but if you haven’t worked for a while it could be someone who has known you for a long time who can comment on your qualities in relation to the job. You should ask the person to agree to this beforehand. Ask a friend or relative to read through your CV to make sure it is accurate and that it shows your skills in a positive way.
