Your CV is your shop window for prospective employers!
Your CV should always be concise and easy to read. Here is an ideal layout to use with suggestions for content in italics. It should be clear and uncluttered, so whatever you do, don’t enclose items or text into graphics, borders or boxes!
Please see the example CV below.
Curriculum Vitae
Your Name
Your Address – Your Telephone numbers – Your email address
PERSONAL STATEMENT
Your personal statement is perhaps the single most important part of you CV. Get it wrong and your chances of being invited to interview are drastically reduced.
Its aim is to highlight your professional attributes and goals, emphasising why the employer should continue reading the rest of your CV. Remember- Keep it to one paragraph.
KEY SKILLS
Technical Skills
- Show that you have the relevant knowledge required to succeed in the role
- Include computer software you have used, relevant training courses and any accreditations you have achieved
Personal Skills
- Include some of your main attributes that are vital to the role
- Flexibility, problem solving abilities, good communication and creativity are qualities that all employers look out for.
- If you are changing career these transferable skills will add weight to your application
EMPLOYMENT
Always list your current job first and work backwards!
Job Title
Company Name - [Do not include reason for leaving or salary]
Location (Not full address)
Dates of Employment [from Month/Year to Month/Year]
You should give your reader a brief introduction to what the company does and explain a bit about the responsibilities your role covered.
Key Achievements:
- Provide a list of the key achievements you have made in your job
- Try to show evidence such as percentage increases or financial figures
- Provide enough information to entice your potential employers to call you
- Always keep examples relevant to the role you are applying for
Job Title
Company Name - [Do not include reason for leaving or salary]
Location (Not full address)
Dates of Employment [from Month/Year to Month/Year]
You should give your reader a brief introduction to what the company does and explain a bit about the responsibilities your role covered.
For older jobs you should keep the details slightly shorter, only offering information that will help you reach the next stage in your career.
Key Achievements:
- Try to avoid cliché phrases that don’t differentiate you as a job candidate
- Always tailor your CV for each job application so it matches the requirements
- If something isn’t relevant, don’t be scared to leave it out
- Sometimes, less is more
[Continue with Work History working backwards as neccessary]
EDUCATION
Professional Body
Location
Course Title
Dates
Grade
If you have gained any qualifications specific to your industry list these first. Prospective employers can then clearly see that you have the knowledge and ability to take on the role.
University Name, Location
Course Title
Qualification
Explain how your course helped you develop your knowledge in the areas that are relevant to the position you’re applying for. If you have switched direction from the topic you studied, you may want to briefly explain the reasons behind this decision.
College Name,
Location
Course Title
Dates
Grades
High School Name
Location
Dates
Grades
List the High School GCSE and A Level courses you took.
PERSONAL INTERESTS
Outside interests enable a potential employer to gain an understanding to what motivates you, what personal skills you may have and how you will integrate into a team.
Look at how job advertisements stipulate certain personality traits required for positions. Identify what they are and show how your hobbies can relate to their requirements. Try to avoid using just the obvious ones such as “Socialising with friends”, “Reading”, “Listening to Music” and “Going to the Cinema”.
REFERENCES
Always say that references can be obtained upon request
To download a blank version of this CV template for you to use click here