2. To allow an employer to gain an insight into
who you are: your achievements, skills,
qualifications and work history to date.
To establish if you will be of benefit to the
company and to the role which you applying
for.
3. To allow an employer to into
who you are: your achievements, skills,
qualifications and work history to date.
To establish if you will be of benefit to the
company and to the role which you applying
for.
4. To allow an employer to into
who you are: your , ,
and to date.
To establish if you will be of benefit to the
company and to the role which you applying
for.
5. To allow an employer to into
who you are: your
, , and
to date.
To establish if you will be of to the
company and which you applying
for.
6. An application form and a CV
share similar information.
An application form will ask
for specific information you
would not include on a CV;
Equal opportunities data
Criminal convictions
Medical history
A CV is NOT a legal
document! An application
form is!
7. You will need to gather together a lot of information
before starting to construct your CV.
A CV should include the following sections;
Name, Address, Email address and Phone number
Personal Profile
Key Skills
Work Experience
Education /Training
Personal Details / Interests
References Available
8. Many of you will already have a CV.
How many of your CV’s are fit for purpose?
It is not uncommon for people to have three or
four very different CV’s.
You have to be careful when placing too much
emphasis on the arts if you are applying for a job
outside that sector.
9. Emphasise the relevant skills that your
achievements and experience have taught you.
THINK – how would they be transferrable?
10. The profile needs to communicate clearly and effectively to the
employer.
Use descriptive terminology.
It must briefly summarise the rest of your CV;
What you want to do?
Why you want to do it?
Why you are suitable?
“I am keen to establish a career utilising my retail and customer
service skills. I can accurately follow instructions, work effectively
as a team member and on my own initiative. In addition, I am
flexible, reliable and can cope with working in a busy, high
pressure environment. Currently seeking an opportunity to gain
further experience and develop my skills by working for a retail
establishment that will enhance my potential.”
Emphasise the positives!
11. Key Skills should be suitable for the job sector.
Some skills overlap whereas some are more
specific.
Within your work/education history you can
show how your have acquired these skills
RETAIL
Friendly and
approachable with
good interpersonal
skills.
CUSTOMER SERVICES
Good communication
skills both customer
facing or
via telephone
CATERING
Ability to remain calm in
a hectic and busy
environment
12. Some of you might think you have little or no work experience.
That is very rarely the case.
You can include voluntary work, school work experience.
All work history MUST be included with all the relevant DATES.
Organise them chronologically, the most recent first.
Highlight your responsibilities, duties and job titles.
Emphasise the work that has enabled you to acquire the most
transferrable skills
Summer 1996
13. This is where you really have to sell yourself.
This is especially important if creating an Arts
CV.
Be selective on where you place your emphasis.
• BTEC Dance
Level 3
• Performances at
BOA
• Awards /
qualifications
within Dance
• “100 metre winner”
Year 6 Sports Day
• 3rd in top set
English Spelling
Bee!
• GCSE
German - C
• GCSE
History - D
14. Don’t go crazy listing all the
fun and exciting things you do.
One or two interesting and
more importantly, unique,
activities will make you stand
out.
“I enjoy going out and
socialising with friends” or “I
have an active social life”
usually means one thing…
15. Simply state “References are available on
request.”
Do not include contact details or a full
reference
The employer will know where you have
worked from your employment history.
16. This is a real CV
with the
personal
details
changed.
It was
submitted on
paper and
scanned into a
computer.
Page 1
Page 2
17. Here is the
completedCV.
Excuse the US
spell checker!
18. Some examples of what colour can do
to a CV when used appropriately
DETAILS REMOVED
DETAILS REMOVED
19. To begin with a brilliant summary that makes people
want to read more
Key strengths and skills are immediately obvious
Try to maximise the impact and relevance of all
information
The design layout – ensure it is reader friendly
Careful formatting allows a lot of information to be
included without seeming crowded
Qualifications andTraining are arranged to show
relevant on-going development
You rarely need to explain trivial details of your early
education
Your CV needs to be a working document
20. Make it longer than two sides
Leave unexplained career gaps
Include the following details ;
Insert pictures (unless it is for a
modelling or acting position)
• Age • Previous Salary
• Children • Disabilities
• Religion • Nationality
• Marital Status
21. Poor presentation - Overcrowded layout, poor quality photocopy, not divided
into easy to read sections
Disorganised and poorly sequenced - Employment details arranged
haphazardly with periods of time not accounted for
Too long - Includes irrelevant detail or too much detail
Too general -The personality profile could apply to almost everybody.
Too glossy - Unnecessary use of coloured paper and over-elaborated format
Includes information that might discourage an employer - Age, health,
salary, time unemployed, criminal record, etc
Uses jargon, abbreviations, complicated sentences and words
The CV has not been checked for errors in grammar, spelling and typing
Travels alone - Is not accompanied by a letter of application
22. Employers are usually
drowning in a sea of
paperwork
The last thing they want to
do is read 100 boring CV’s.
You need to catch their
attention within the first
5-10 seconds.
Make yours stand out from
the crowd!
