| We strongly advise you to arrange to meet with an adviser so we can support you in creating a quality CV. |
A CV :
- Contains your personal, educational and employment details
- Markets you to an employer, so it needs to make you look worth inviting in for an interview
What should a CV include?
- Name, address, email address and contact number
- Personal profile
- Education history and qualifications
- Skills and work experience – including paid work, work experience and voluntary work
- Particular skills. For example a First Aid certificate or a driving licence
- Hobbies and interests – particularly if these include responsibilities and skills that are relevant to the job you are applying for
- Two References (or ‘References available on request’).
What should a CV look like?
It should be:
- Word-processed
- Short, punchy, jargon-free and to the point. No more than two pages
- Neat and tidy
- Checked for spelling and grammar
- Clear with a font and size which is easy to read – for example, Arial 12
- Not ‘jazzed up’ with different fonts, bright colours, borders or clip art
- Up to date
- Not have any gaps in your education/employment history
- Tailored for each job you apply for
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CV Advice from Employers Content:
Handing it in:
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CV Content
Transferable Skills
Everyone has ‘transferable skills’. One example is ‘being a good communicator’ – someone who is sympathetic, a good listener and able to help others to sort out their problems. This skill is needed for a range of different jobs, for example, a doctor, shop assistant or a teacher.
Look at the list below and identify some of your transferable skills. Add these to your CV:
| THIS IS ME… | CV SPEAK… |
| A good laugh | Gets on well with people of all ages |
| Sociable, chatty, bubbly | Good communicator, confident |
| Bossy | Has leadership skills |
| Likes to be the centre of attention | Confident |
| Easily distracted | Open to new ideas and suggestions, flexible worker |
| Bit of a daydreamer | Creative thinker |
| Helped to build a garden shed | Construction skills, planning and budgeting skills |
| Play for a local football team | Teamwork skills, shows commitment/reliability |
| Babysits for family | Childcare skills, happy to take on responsibility |
| Helps out with household chores | Organised and efficient, food preparation/catering experience |
| Took part in school play | Presentation skills, confident in front of an audience |
| Enjoy computer games, using the internet | Good IT skills, enjoy researching information |
| Enjoy fixing my car/bike/scooter | Excellent practical skills, technically minded, problem solving skills |
| Like to do things my own way | Innovative, self-motivated |
| Like to be told how to do things | Able to follow instructions accurately, methodical worker |
| Attended school on time, every day | Good attendance records, punctual and reliable |
| Didn’t take many exams at school but regret it now | Willing to train and gain further skills and qualification |
| Good at getting friends to do what I want them to do | Able to organise and motivate others, effective negotiation skills |
| Always hand homework in on time | Able to meet deadlines, excellent planning skills, effective time manager |
| Friends come to me to talk about problems | Sympathetic, good listener, caring attitude |
| Worked in a school shop | Experience of cash handling, happy to take on responsibility |
| Enjoy drawing and sketching at home | Artistic and creative, has a flair for design |
| Sell things on Ebay or at car boot sales | Commercial/business awareness, entrepreneurial skills |
| Use Facebook to meet new people and keep in touch with friends | Excellent networking skills, good ICT skills and awareness of Social Media |
| I’m a laid back kind of person | Able to stay calm and work well under pressure |
| I always got my homework done before going out | Able to prioritise effectively |
| I was a runner at school, sending messages for staff and visitors | A range of customer services dealing with adults and peers |
Use positive ‘buzz’ words:
| capable | friendly | enthusiastic | calm and relaxed |
| reliable | well-motivated/ keen to learn | self-motivated | punctual |
| honest/trustworthy | good team worker | hard working | competent |
| responsible | organised | committed | adaptable |
Use sentences starting with:
| I enjoy | I successfully | I learnt to | I took part in |
| I improved | I won | I am interested in | I set up |
| I was chosen to | I organised | I was fascinated by | I wish |
| I have experience of | I can | I passed | I was congratulated on |
| I am good at | I am a keen | I raised money for | I have good |
| I want to | I helped | I learnt that I am | I was thanked for |
Include phrases like:
| taught me | take responsibility | learnt how to deal with equipment |
| helped me | act appropriately | learnt how to follow instructions |
| negotiating with | made me aware of | work as part of a team |
| dealing with problems | made me realise | use my initiative |
| new challenges | gave me the opportunity | be self-disciplined |
| know how to deal with money | communicating with | seek help where appropriate |
| can travel independently | giving advice to | opened my eyes to |
| understand how to respond to requests | answering questions | made me determined |
| work on my own | learnt how to deal with people | discussing with |
Emphasise your good qualities:
| sense of humour | hard working | neat and tidy |
| quiet | energetic | punctual |
| generous | careful | caring |
| like trying new things | friendly | thoughtful |
| fit and healthy | enthusiastic | supportive |
| smart appearance | willing to learn | enjoy a challenge |
Include experience:
| work experience | school plays/performances | responsibilities at home or school |
| hobbies | part-time work | fundraising |
| dealing with difficulties | clubs | sports |
Include any special skills:
| reading | working under pressure | listening |
| helping others | organising events | telephone skills |
| computer skills | map reading/navigating | communication skills |
| languages (indicate whether you have fluent, intermediate or basic skills) | ||
Include accomplishments, achievements and skills you have developed in your social life or out of school activities:
| Activity | Developed skills |
| Work-experience | punctuality, responsibility, team working |
| Socialising with friends | initiative, conversationalist, ideas person, peacemaker |
| Hobbies | self-discipline, commitment |
| Sports/music/arts/drama | skilful, curious, refreshing, dedication, patience, team player |
| Computers | manual dexterity, coordination, competitive, technical |
| Reading | knowledge, imagination, concentration, calmness |
| Travel/holidays | inquisitive, knowledge, planning, budgeting, organisation, cultural sensitivity, leadership, languages |
| Looking after relatives (older/younger) | patience, responsibility, sense of humour |
| Prefect | confidence, diplomacy, responsibility |
| Voluntary work | social conscience, reliability, motivation, caring |
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Languages |
intellect, cultural interest, written/spoken ability, interpreter, sensitivity, communicator |
| Driving | competent, careful, conscientious, safe |
| Youth Club/Scouts/Guides | discipline, loyalty, commitment, group member |
| If you are a member of a church or mosque or if you regularly go to a temple, think how that may also show your skills of discipline, loyalty and commitment. | |
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