Information on

 

CV abbr. course of life [from Latin 'curriculum vitae']

The sole purpose of a CV is to show the potential employer that you are suitable for a particular job. It provides an opportunity for you to sell yourself, i.e. match your skills and experience with the employer's needs. It should inform and persuade. With a CV, unlike an application form, you are in complete control of what you include and can therefore select and compose information in a way that emphasises your suitability for the job.

It should include:

• Personal details (name, address, telephone, e-mail); 

• Education and qualifications; 

• Skills; 

• Work experience; 

• Interests; 

• Contact information for referees.

Take the CV Test on the Destinations Website. Please note that Destinations can only be accessed on networked computers on the University campus. This is due to the terms of our licensing agreement.

One size fits all?

Thinking that you can send out the same CV for every job will not get you anywhere. It is better to send out three targeted and well researched CVs than 30 identical CVs. It's a good idea to put together a basic CV on which to build, then for each position you can add to it with more specific details or take away some irrelevant details or sections.

An effective CV 

• Says clearly who you are, what you've done and what you can offer an employer;

• Is full of action words describing what you do/did;

• Emphasises clearly your key skills and achievements;

• Contains nothing negative about you;

• Looks attractive - well laid out, easy to read and understand;

• Is interesting to read and will make the reader to want to meet you.

Remember

• Use no more than 2 sides of A4 (academic CVs can be longer);

• Word-process on good quality paper (try not to use photocopies);

• Use reverse chronology i.e. most recent dates first;

• Use positive, focused language to create a favourable impression;

• Make use of bullet points, bold, italics etc for emphasis but don't go overboard!

• Use a different CV if you are applying for different types of work;

• Never send a CV without a covering letter.

The following CV examples are for the UK job market.

Chronological

This is the most familiar CV format. This CV outlines your experiences in reverse chronological order (the most recent first). It includes sections for education, work experience and achievements. It is easy to organise and is clear to the employer how you have progressed over time. Example of a chronological CV.

Skills based CV

This CV focuses on demonstrating relevant skills. Use relevant headings to evidence your skills. The education and work experience sections are usually kept brief in this CV. This style of CV can show the employer the skills the employer is looking for. Example of a skills based CV.

Academic

This type of CV mainly focuses on academic achievements. It is suited to those wishing to enter an academic or research career. Headings may include: Dissertation and research abstracts, teaching and/or research experience, publications, conferences attended and professional memberships.. Example of an academic CV.

Academic to professional CV

It is often difficult to think how to translate your academic CV into a non-academic CV. The main thing to remember is, as with your academic CV, target it towards the job you are applying for. Here are some suggestions to help you on your way.

International students

Find out about how to explain your international qualifications to UK employers.

Via email

Sending CVs by email is increasingly popular with employers.

• Check first, if possible, whether the CV should be sent in the main body of the email or as an attachment; 

• If sending CV in the main body of the email, save as text only (i.e. without formatting);

• Make sure you fill in the subject line of the e-mail; 

• Remember to make the first screen interesting, so the employer wants to read on; your covering letter could form the first part of the e-mail.

Scannable CVs

Many employers are now electronically scanning CVs they receive in the post. Employers use this scanning to see if the applicant has appropriate skills and abilities for the post by picking out the key words from the CV.

• Follow the employer's instructions;

• Make good use of nouns e.g. names of software packages;  

• Select key words from the job advertisement;

• Use strong "skills vocabulary"; 

• Make sure the CV is on plain white or off-white paper and not photocopied; don't staple or fold;

• Keep it plain: do not use bullet points, bold, italics etc; use a 10-12 point font size and a clear typeface; left align the text and don't use columns; use more than 2 pages if necessary.

CVs on the web

You can either create your own website or use a CV bank or agency.

• CVs held on databases are likely to be scanned, so you will need to follow a set format

• Keep it simple;

• Unless relevant to the type of work, don't make extensive use of graphics and fonts;

• Date pages and check regularly.

iProfile

Prospects have teamed up with an organisation called iProfile to provide an online CV-building service for students and graduates.

Seminars on CV design

We run seminars on CV design as part of our termly programme of careers events and our Careers Advisers provide booked appointments where you can get some feedback on your work.

There are also lots of resources in the Careers Centre to help you put together an application, including:

• How to... books:

Books are available from the Careers Centre for current students to loan. Titles include: Brilliant CV, Killer CVs and Hidden Approaches and Preparing the Perfect CV.

Please speak to one of the information team for more information.

• Free leaflets to take away:

You can pick up a copy of the AGCAS booklet Making Applications from the Careers Centre on the Colchester campus.

• Online Videos

View the Assessment Centre Video or Your Job's Online . Please note that these videos can only be viewed on a networked computer on the university campus. This is due to the terms of our licensing agreement.

• Destinations Website

  CVs: Target Your CV available from the Destinations website. Includes a CV checklist and example CVs. Please note that Destinations can only be accessed on networked computers on the University campus. This is due to the terms of our licensing agreement.

• Online

  Try the Prospects pages on CV design

  Downloadable CVs from the TARGETjobs website.

  Leeds Metropolitan University's guide to writing an effective CV. Please be aware that the design is specific to psychology graduates, however it contains many useful hints applicable to all.