Writing your CV and Covering Letter
Job hunting Hints and Tips: CV writing advice and checklist
Prepared by The Jenrick Recruitment Group
A good curriculum vitae (CV) will significantly increase your chances of getting the job you want.
It is a brief, clear outline of your education, employment, qualifications and experience.
The ideal CV demonstrates that you are suitable for the job. It should do so with an element of originality and without any negative details.
Everyone looking for work should have an up-to-date CV, to be ready to act when that perfect job comes up. A CV is also a useful record of your details when filling in application forms.
Importantly - only use one font style and ensure it is a clear and simple one (eg. Arial).
Preparing to write a CV: Start by writing down all the details of your career, including Job titles.
Starting and finishing date of each job. Do not leave any gaps even if you were unemployed. Did you travel, do voluntary work, or raise a family during this time? Each of these activities is an achievement.
Responsibilities.
Achievements. Include examples with the results such as 'implemented a sales strategy which increased sales by 50%'. Stick to facts - phrases such as 'I am ambitious' and 'I mix well socially' are difficult to back up with examples.
Skills.
Education.
Other training.
Write everything down - if you don't use it in the CV it may be useful at the interview.
The content of your CV:
A CV should be a maximum of two sides of A4 paper, so decide which of the points you have written down are most relevant to the jobs you are applying for.
For a job requiring specific skills it is better to send a tailored CV, with information relevant to that company. You are likely to have more success sending out a few tailored CVs than hundreds of general ones.
Think carefully before you begin. Your CV should be organised, easy to read and interesting. Use headings, short sentences or bullet points to get the information across clearly.
Use specific terms rather than general phrases - 'I have four years experience of' is better than 'I have wide experience of'
Stick to your personal achievements - phrases like 'took part in' suggest that you were not closely involved.
Use plain English, avoiding repetition of words such as 'I' .
Be honest and accurate - remember this information is likely to form the basis of your interview.
The layout of your CV:
The layout can vary and is up to you, but there are certain pieces of information that you need to include. The following order is the standard layout for a CV
1. Personal details
Name in full - use this as the heading rather than Curriculum Vitae - your name will stick in the interviewer's memory.
Full postal address with postcode.
Phone number with STD code (daytime and evening numbers if possible and whether each number is a direct line, switchboard or answerphone).
Driving licence - if you have a full, clean driving licence say so.
Nationality.
2. Employment history
Include a brief statement about your achievements and career aims, if you wish. Some employers like this, but remember that if you include it, your CV may go to someone who does not.
List all employment, with the most recent job first, the dates started and finished, job title, employers name, industry, company size and key responsibilities.
List your achievements and results for each job using bullet points.
3. Education, training and qualifications
List all education from secondary school onwards.
Start with college or university, then schools.
Name schools and colleges with the location.
List exams passed, with the dates and results.
List any specialist training courses attended that are relevant to the job.
4. Additional information
Skills - for example computer skills with the packages you can use, any languages, stating how well you can speak or write them.
Interests and hobbies - try to get across something of your personality, but keep it brief and factual. Try to show hobbies that underline skills useful to the job - sports show health and fitness; chairman of a society shows leadership; secretary of a team shows organisation.
5. References
Not generally required - only enclose them if you are specifically asked to.
Avoid asking for a specific salary or giving details of your current salary - this may rule you out at the first stage, and can be discussed at the interview.
2. Employment history
Include a brief statement about your achievements and career aims, if you wish. Some employers like this, but remember that if you include it, your CV may go to someone who does not.
List all employment, with the most recent job first, the dates started and finished, job title, employers name, industry, company size and key responsibilities.
List your achievements and results for each job using bullet points.
3. Education, training and qualifications
List all education from secondary school onwards.
Start with college or university, then schools.
Name schools and colleges with the location.
List exams passed, with the dates and results.
List any specialist training courses attended that are relevant to the job.
4. Additional information
Skills - for example computer skills with the packages you can use, any languages, stating how well you can speak or write them.
Interests and hobbies - try to get across something of your personality, but keep it brief and factual. Try to show hobbies that underline skills useful to the job - sports show health and fitness; chairman of a society shows leadership; secretary of a team shows organisation.
5. References
Not generally required - only enclose them if you are specifically asked to.
Avoid asking for a specific salary or giving details of your current salary - this may rule you out at the first stage, and can be discussed at the interview.