Writing a CV
Whatever you choo to do after university, you will need to make a written application. This means getting to grips with forms, CVs and letters. For tips on application forms plea e our leaflet: Completing Application Forms.
It is a sad truth that many applicants fail to make it to interview becau of avoidable mistakes and careless prentation of their CVs and application forms. Today’s graduate job market is very competitive and you really have to work hard to ll yourlf to employers. Taking time and following some simple advice can really make all the difference. Here we will show you how to avoid the pitfalls and show your talents in the best light.
Creating an effective CV
CV stands for Curriculum Vitae – roughly translated as your life story. However, it doesn’t literally mean all of your life. It is advisable to go only as far back as your condary school.
Top tips before you start
Before you rush into updating your CV it’s worth doing a bit of groundwork.
•First, check that a CV is the correct method of applying to the organisation
– many employers prefer you to u
one of their own forms.
•Next, rearch what the employer is looking for. Look at the advert or
information on the employer’s website – what does it say about the job
requirements? If there is no information from the employer, u the resources at the Centre for Career Development to
find a typical job description. •Investigate the employer and the business ctor – you can do this on the
web in most cas. Think laterally – you
may have been a consumer of the
employer’s products and rvices. What
can you learn about the business? •Relate your rearch to what you have to offer and why you want to work there. •Brainstorm your skills and experience against what you’ve found out about the
role. Think about what you want the
hsu chirecruiter to know about you.
•Jot down some key experiences where you can demonstrate the skills required and
think about how you might give evidence
of your suitability.
By giving thought to the points you are thinking strategically about why the recruiter should give your application rious consideration.
Standard contents
All CVs need to contain some standard information, which normally includes: •Personal details – name, address, date of birth, telephone and e-mail address •Education and qualifications •Employment history
•Interests and Activities
•References.
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−One page is often too short, four too long −Avoid coloured or textured paper
−Create a good, logical structure
−Key information easy to find and not tucked away
−No long passages of text, try breaking up with bullet points
−U of headings or bold to draw attention to important points
−Text lined up or in columns
−Well spaced
汉英互译词典−Consistency of font type
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−Language is appropriate and professional
There is no ideal style of CV to u. On the following pages we have illustrated two common styles for you to consider, with some commentary about why they may or may not be effective. Example 1 is a conventional CV format
Example 2 is a skills bad CV format
Example 1
The Traditionally prented CV
Anthony Smith
Home address: 4 My Mothers Road, Middle Town, M12 34N
Term address: Flat 1, Inner City Road, University Town, U89 76V
Telephone: 00 00 123456
Email:A.
Date of Birth: 01/05/1985
EDUCATION
2002-2005 The University of Anytown
(2:1)
Sciences
BSc
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(Hons)
Biological
Specialid in Animal Science. Main modules included Biochemistry,
Endocrinology, Cardiorespiratory Physiology, Lactation and
Indigestion, Biotechnology and Reproductive Physiology.
Final year project: Determining the preci time of ovulation in a pig
in order to enhance the efficiency of artificial inmination
1996-2002 Middle Town 6th Form College
A Levels: Biology (B), Chemistry (C), English (C)
GCSE’s
A-C
GCSEs:
8
WORK EXPERIENCE
Summer 20014 Catering Assistant at R.Owdside Ltd
Prepared food and rved customers as part of a team of six
Gained experience of dealing with members of the public
Worked quickly and reliably under pressure
Summer 2003 Lab Technician with Labs R Us
Carrying out routine tasks accurately to produce reliable and preci
data
Following strict methodology to carry out analys
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Recording and interpreting results and prenting to supervisor
POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Captain of badminton team at University. Organid fixtures,
practices and social events.
Involved in first year Buddy schemes which entailed being responsible
for a small group of first years, ensuring they ttled in.
Cour reprentative for final year students. Involved reprenting
interests and problems of students to staff in meetings
ACTIVITIES/INTERESTS
Sport: I have been a committed member of the badminton team
throughout university
I enjoy aerobics and cross country skiing
Travel: I enjoy experiencing new cultures and have travelled to
various parts of Europe and America.
Other: Italian films, Modern Literature, watching football.
SKILLS
Driving: Full clean licence
IT: Familiar with Word, Excel and Windows
Languages: Basic French and Italian
REFEREES
Dr E.C Lifenot Mrs Sue Pervisor
Department of Academic Studies R.Owdside ltd
University of Anytown Middletown
Commentary
•The traditionally prented CV has a clear and logical order. Many people feel comfortable creating this format as it adheres to the key areas of information usually required in
making a job application.
•It is important to avoid making this style of CV into a bare list or inventory of what you did and when. As our introductory notes say on the opening page of this leaflet, you need to give a strong impression of what you got from your experiences in terms of achievements, skills and knowledge acquired, and a n of how far your involvement went.
•The main drawbacks of this style of CV are that it doesn’t really allow you to target your experiences towards the kind of job you are trying to get. If you wish to do this, then you may want to consider either a skills bad CV (e next example) or a targeted CV (e further examples on our website: ingham.ac.uk/careers. Select Applications and CV’s.
Example 2
The Skills bad CV
Anthony Smith
Home address: 4 My Mothers Road, Middle Town, M12 34N
Term address: Flat 1, Inner City Road, University Town, U89 76V
Telephone: 00 00 123456
Email: A.
Date of Birth: 01/05/1984
EDUCATION
2002-2005 The University of Anytown
(2:1)
Sciences
BSc(Hons)
Biological
Specialid in Animal Science. Main modules included Biochemistry,
Endocrinology, Cardiorespiratory Physiology, Lactation and回见
Indigestion, Biotechnology and Reproductive Physiology.
Final year project: Determining the preci time of ovulation in a pig
in order to enhance the efficiency of artificial inmination
1996-2002 Middle Town 6th Form College
A Levels: Biology (B), Chemistry (C), English (C)
GCSE’s
A-C
GCSEs:
8
SKILLS PROFILE
Communication Skills
Prepared and conducted 4 assd 20 minute prentations to my
tutor group as part of my cour using PowerPoint
Developed succinct Report Writing Skills through project assignments
Learnt to speak efficiently in formal meetings through my cour
reprentative duties
Experience of dealing effectively with a wide range of customers
through working at R.Owdside and W.E.Employlotsofstudents
Teamwork
Developed team leading skills, including motivating team members,
and encouraging good performance through my role as captain of
University badminton team
Learnt how to listen to the needs of others and provide support
through my involvement in the first year Buddy Scheme
Gained insight into how teams can develop strategies to deal with
problems through participating as a team member in project
assignments as part of my cour
Personal Organisation and Time Management
Learnt the importance of prioritising competing demands at busy
times by tting mylf achievable goals
Learnt to delegate organisation of training rota to other members of
the badminton team when I had academic deadlines to meet
Adapted successfully to shift work at R.Owdside Ltd
WORK EXPERIENCE
Assistant at R.Owdside Ltd
Summer 2004 Catering
Summer 2003 Lab Technician at Labs R Us
Summer 2002 Sales Assistant with W.E.EmploylotsofStudents
POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Captain of badminton team at University. Organid fixtures,
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practices and social events.
Involved in first year Buddy schemes which entailed being responsible
for a small group of first years, ensuring they ttled in.
Cour reprentative for final year students. Involved reprenting
interests and problems of students to staff in meetings
ACTIVITIES/INTERESTS
Sport: I have been a committed member of the badminton team
throughout university. I also do aerobics and cross country skiing
Travel: I enjoy experiencing new cultures and have travelled to
various parts of Europe and America.
Other: Italian films, Modern Literature, watching football.
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SKILLS
Driving: Full clean licence
IT: Familiar with Microsoft Office
Languages: Basic French and Italian
REFEREES
Pervisor
Dr E.C LifeNot Mrs
Sue
Department of Academic Studies R.Owdside ltd
University of Anytown Middletown
Commentary
This style of CV can be uful in the following circumstances:
−When the role you are applying for requires a particular t of skills, this style allows you to be specific in giving evidence that you posss the skills by writing a skills profile in this way.
communistparty−It can be good for helping you to move out of a particular functional background into a role requiring more general skills – e.g. if you are an engineer or scientist who wants to move into management.
−If you don’t have much work experience, a skills profile can illustrate how you have developed skills through academic work, interests and other extra-curricular activities.
The common pitfalls of doing skills-bad CV:
−DON’T COPY THIS EXAMPLE WORD FOR WORD – your CV has to reflect YOUR skills and how they relate to the job or role you are applying for
−Don’t make a claim about posssing a skill if you can’t back it up with concrete evidence of how, where and to what extent you can u it.