A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a detailed summary of your education, professional history and qualifications. If you are job-hunting, a good Curriculum Vita (Latin for ‘the story of your life’) can improve your chances of getting an interview. Its purpose is to set out your details in a precise, factual and interesting manner. It allows you to tell an employer what you can do and what skills you have. An employer can see quickly and easily whether or not you have something to offer each other. Therefore first impressions matter, if you’re CV doesn’t attract the reader’s attention in the first 20-30 seconds then your chances of obtaining an interview are greatly reduced. The following aspects are covered in the leaflet. Examples of CVs and a covering letter are at the end. The details are fictional.
Hints and Tips for a Good CV First of all sit down with pen and paper and look back over your experiences so far. Allow yourself time to think and you will be reminded about skills, abilities and strengths that are wanted by employers. The visual layout is very important – check out our section on what makes a good CV. Once you have a master copy it can be photocopied and used as required or sent in reply to advertisements in the press.
A CV Tells Employers:- • Who you are
• What you did at school
• Any work or training you have had
• Your personal qualities and skills
• Your interests and hobbies
• Who will give you a reference.
Personal Details These should include your name, address, telephone number, date of birth and any other details you wish to include e.g. marital status, nationality(if you are applying for jobs abroad). Although not a requirement, you may also include your mobile phone number and e-mail address so long as your e-mail tag is not inappropriate.
Education, Qualifications and Training List your qualifications and education history, for example:
- 1980 - 1983. BSc (Hons) 2.2 in Biochemistry at the University of Ulster,
- 1978 - 1980. GCE A Levels: Maths [C], Biology [B], Chemistry [C]
- 1973 – 1978 GCE O Levels (or GCSEs if you did them): Maths [B], English Language [C], History [C], Geography [C], French [C], Chemistry [C], Biology [C].
Mention any short courses you have completed in work may also be included especially if they are relevant to the position for which you are applying. Accurate dates are very important.
Employment History and/or Work Experience Should always be listed with your most recent position first. State the position and then details of the duties you carried out – stressing those duties which are most relevant to the post you are applying for. Do not omit your current role.
Skills This can be, for some people, a very important section because it tells the employer what you have learned from past experiences and what you can bring to the new job. E.G. IT skills, Languages (state whether your skills are spoken, written etc, Driving Licence (state if Full/Clean). Highlight to the employer the benefits of employing you.
Interests/Hobbies This area is important because it says a lot about the type of person you are. Try to include one where you mix with others. Be prepared to talk about your hobbies as it will allow interviewers to access your communication skills. Also list any positions of responsibility you hold or have held in any club or organization. E.g. Youth minibus driver shows you can be responsible, participating in team sports shows you can get along with others.
Referees Always ask a person’s permission to use his/her name. You usually need to supply two names, preferably including one who has known you in a work setting. Give their job titles and full address and telephone number.
What Makes a Good CV
- It should be neat, short, preferably typed – one to two sides of white A4 size paper (on separate pages, not back to back).
- It should be clearly and carefully laid out as appearance counts for a lot. Overall presentation can determine whether the recipient chooses to read it or not.
- Stick to commonly used type face, do not use coloured type – it doesn’t scan or photocopy well. Do not mix formats and fonts.
- Use techniques such as ‘star ’ or ‘bullet points’ as these can make you CV easier to read, be sure they are well set out and aligned.
- It should be concise and specific and focused to the job on offer.Tailor it as required for every position applied for in order to identify key achievements.
- Check details – spellings, postcodes etc. Be consistent: 2 September 1988 – 3 January 1992 and not 2nd September 1988 – 3/1/92. If a postcode is used in one address it should be included in all addresses. Be careful to include everything.
- Be positive and to the point – do not lie or exaggerate.
- Do not use overly formal language.
- Remember it’s your personal CV so emphasise your strengths.
- Your CV is a sales document to an employer. If it does not tell an employer why to employ you it has failed.
Finally, make sure your CV is free of errors – ask family/friends to check and proof read your CV for any spelling and grammar errors. Check everything as many times as possible. A CV full of grammatical mistakes and misspelled words will ruin your chances of success.
The Covering Letter A good covering letter creates a good first impression and in it your aim is to show that you meet the criteria stated.
Include a letter with your CV providing the following information:-
- Home telephone number and a day-time number if possible.
- If there is a job reference number in the advertisement use it.
- Write your address in full at the top right-hand corner, and don’t forget the date.
- The name, position and address of the person you are writing to should be placed at the top left of the page.
- If you have a contact name write ‘Dear Mr Jones’ and finish with ‘Yours sincerely’.
- If you do not have a name write ‘Dear Sir/Madam’ and finish with ‘Yours faithfully’.
- Spell the person’s name correctly.
- Use a heading. It is often best to quote the job title – for instance write ‘Press Officer’ and make it bold.
- Start the letter by briefly mentioning the job advert – e.g. ‘With reference to your advertisement in the Belfast Telegraph on April 2, I enclose my CV’.
- You may say what you are currently doing and add a few points of interest – such as relevant personal qualities and experience you have.
- Sign your name clearly and print it below your signature.
Covering letter in response to an advertisement 5 The Close
Anytown
Midshire SS1 1YY
6 June 20XX
Ref AS 953
Word Processor Operator Dear Mr Jones,
I read with interest your advertisement in the ‘Evening Post’ on Thursday 5 June for a Word Processor Operator position.
You will see from the enclosed CV that I have the qualifications and experience required.
I am available for interview at your convenience.
Yours sincerely,
(Signature)A. Smith
(Print Name)
Enclosure
Suggested lay-outs for a CV
Word Processor Operator Personal Details Name: A Smith
Address: 5 The Close, Anytown, Midshire XX1 1YY
Telephone: 1234
Date of Birth: 10 May 20XX
Education and Qualifications GCSEs: English (A), Maths (B), Geography (B), History (B), Biology (C).
Sept 20XX-July 20XX
Anywhere College of Further Education, Main Street, Anywhere
Examinations obtained: AVCE Business European Computer Driving License
Employment History/Work Experience September 20XX to date
Wheels Car Hire Service
Clerk / Typist in the general office, dealing with telephone calls, typing and filing.
Other Information including Skills, Interests and Hobbies I am at present attending evening classes in Word Processing and hope to take further exams later this month.
I have many interests including helping with a local Brownie Pack, cooking, reading and badminton.
Referees (1) Mr V Wise
Course Tutor
Business Studies Department
Anywhere College of Further Education
Main Street
Anywhere
AA1 1BB
Tel: 5678
(2) Mrs B Owl
5 The Grove
Anywhere
AA1 1US
Tel: 6677
Hotel Manager Personal Details Name: Ian Cook
Address: 2 Baker Street
Someplace
AA2 B11
Tel: 4433
Date of Birth: 20 October 20XX
Marital Status: Married
Driving Licence: Yes, full licence
Education and Qualifications
Dates Examinations
Sept 20XX- GCSEs:-
June 20XX Maths C
English Lang B
English LitC
BiologyB
ChemistryC
Geography C
Sept 20XX- GNVQ Advanced in
June 20XX Hospitality and Catering
(Someplace Catering College)
Sept 20XX- HNC in Hotel,Catering and
June 20XX Institutional Management- (Someplace Catering College)
Employment History/Work Experience Dates Place Details Sept 20XX- Hightrees Hotel
Trainee Manager – employed under the
Sept 20XX Sometown hotel’s Trainee Manager Scheme which
involved sampling all areas of work in
in the hotel.
Sept 20XX Hightrees Hotel
Junior Manager – sole responsibility
May 20XX Sometown for all aspects of the bar and its staff.
June 20XX The Drop Inn
Manager of this small guesthouse and
to date Littlehampton restaurant.
Other informationI have been Manager in my present organisation for nearly six years and feel ready to move on to something more challenging.
My interests outside work include amateur dramatics, theatre, golf and squash.
Referees (1) Mr B Keen
Hightrees Hotel
Sometown
AA3 1ZZ
Tel: 55555
(2) Mr S Bond
Head of Catering and Food Studies Dept
Someplace University/College
Someplace
AA2 1YW
Tel: 2211