Writing a Good Curriculum Vitae

John Smith

CV QuizCV’s can be word processed or typed but never handwrittenTrue

A CV should always clearly state CV at the top of the page.False

Always send a CV with an application form.False

Employers do not need to know your age, sex or marital status on your CVTrue

A brightly coloured CV will attract attention and improve your chancesFalse

A CV should never be longer than one side of A4.False

Choosing your Style

Reverse Chronological

CV

Skills CVV

Tells employers about your skills

Easy for employers to identify how you meet their needs

Has to be related back to experience.

Giving lots of practical examples can be hard.

Lists your information methodically

Gives basic information

Most common style of CV

Easy to put together

The Artists CV

Gallery Exhibition CompetitionUse

Only include details:

Professional Artistic

Experience

Professional Artistic Training

Professional Artistic

Achievement

CV Rules

Length – 2 sides

Always list most recent first

Font – Clear & Plain

No to colours, pictures, spelling

mistakes

Simple Layout – Easy to read

Good quality white paper

What to includePersonal Details

Name

Address

Contact Telephone NumberEmail Address – No silly names

Employment or Experience

Employers Name

Town/City where based

Dates of work

Job Title

Brief outline of job role

Education

Name of School/College/UniQualifications gainedYou may include details of relevant modules which have been studied

Year Awarded

This section should be no more than 1/3 of a side of A4. Make sure

you are easily contactable at the

details given.

All relevant experience counts. This could have been gained as part of

your studies or voluntary

References

Name of reference

Address

Contact Telephone Number

Relationship to referee

Other optional sections

Personal Profile/Career ObjectivePlace under Personal Details. Should be no longer than 3 – 4 lines. Can be changes to suit job description.

Skills section – if skills basedPlace before employment and education. Allows you to provide information specifically relating to advertised vacancy.

Positions of ResponsibilityPlace either before or after Employment. May include activities outside work e.g. Sports coach, Scout Leader etc..

Voluntary WorkOpportunity to highlight your commitment to area of work and skills gained.

Interests/HobbiesEmployers want to see you as well-rounded person and imagine if you will fit into the company.

Professional DevelopmentIn house courses/training i.e. Health and Safety, National Licensees Certificate, Basic Food Hygiene, Customer Care

If references are not explicitly requested

you can write ‘Available Upon

Request’ to save space

Power WordsPower words can help you highlight your skills and abilities without using ‘I’ and ‘my’ all the time and becoming repetitive

For example: “I have good customer service skills”you could use instead “provided fast andefficient service to customers in a popular city centre restaurant on a Saturday night.”

Some examples of power words•Achieved Established Reorganised•Co-ordinated Created Supported•Arranged Attended Developed•Designed Marketed Negotiated•Edited Helped Planned

Think about your skills.....

Communication

Teamworking

Problem solving

Interpersonal skills

Research skills

Ability to work under pressure

Time Management/Organisational

Flexibility/Adaptability IT skills

Leadership/Management

Leadership•Being able to motivate & direct others •Taking responsibility for the direction & actions of a team •Setting objectives. •Training new members of staff, acting as a mentor•Leading on a presentation at college or work•Organising & motivating others. •Taking the initiative •Persevering when things are not working out. •Taking a positive attitude to frustration/failure. •Accepting responsibility for mistakes/wrong decisions. •Being flexible: prepared to adapt goals in the light of changing situations

Team working• Playing in a sports team, or other group

i.e.) choir, drama etc..• Working on a group project at college or

work.• Leading/supervising a team of other

people.• Attending meetings and making an active

contribution.• Participating in group discussions and

taking initiative where appropriate.• Recognising and utilising skills and

knowledge of other team members.

Flexibility/Adaptability

• Ability to work evenings/weekends and do overtime

• Willing to undertake further training and learn new skills to improve your work competence.

• Self-awareness, being aware of strengths and weaknesses and what you need to improve on

• Flexibility in own job role and willingness to take on new tasks, extra responsibilities and helping out others when needed.

Communication• Writing reports/essays/assignments at college.• Making an active contribution to discussions in class, or in formal meetings at

work• Delivering a presentation.• Producing essays, reports, dissertations, etc at college.• Writing letters, memos etc.. in employment.• Writing in a grammatically correct, accurate and structured manner.• Using IT software to improve written presentation i.e.) Word, PowerPoint etc..• Using e-mail to communicate with people, to request information or send

documents.• Competent in using the internet to retrieve information or undertake research. • Communicating with people face to face or over the telephone.• Ability to communicate appropriately with a wide range of people, colleagues, managers, general public.• Interviewing people.• Giving/receiving constructive feedback on other students work, progress.

IT Skills

•Using word processing packages•Using spreadsheets and databases•Proficiency of typing•Use of internet and email•Adaptability of skills – company specific software packages•Experiences of data input•Experiences of producing electronic presentations•IT Qualifications

Examples - Creative CVs

Questions...