This document provides an overview of CV writing. It discusses what a CV is, who it is for, and what should be included. A CV is a record of qualifications, skills and experiences used to demonstrate suitability for a job and get an interview. Key sections to include are personal information, education, work experience, interests, additional skills, and referees. Covering letters should accompany CVs and highlight the applicant's suitability, motivation, and encourage the employer to read the application. Help with CVs and careers advice is available through the Careers & Employability Centre.

1. Welcome to CV Writing
short talk

2. We will cover…
• What is a CV?
• Who is it for?
• What should be in it?
• Some examples
• How we can help

3. What is a CV?

4. What is the purpose of a CV?
• For applicants…..
• Record of qualifications, skills and experiences
• Demonstrates both suitability and potential for the job/ sector
• To get an interview
• For employers…
• To initially weed out unsuitable candidates
• To select suitable applicants

5. The matching process
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6. Different types of CVs
• Chronological/traditional
• Skills based/targeted/functional
• Academic
• Different – to attract attention
• Online

7. What do you include in your CV?
•Personal Information
•Profile
•Education
•Work Experience – paid and unpaid
•Interests – what else do you do?
•Additional skills – languages, IT literacy
•Referees

9. Writing Style/ Layout
• Detail
• Active Language
• Accurate grammar and spelling
• Clarity
• Logically ordered, easy to read and not cramped
• Bullet points, underlining, bold

10. Covering Letters
• Accompany your CV and should:
• Make an impact,
• Highlight your suitability and motivation for the job
• Encourage the employer to want to read the rest of your application
• Usually 1 side of A4 and ideally 4 paragraphs:
- Why writing
- Why you
- Why them
- What next

11. The Careers & Employability Centre
Ground Floor / The Library
www.sussex.ac.uk/careers
• Come along to events
• www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/events
• Careers Advisers appointments daily
• Call on 01273 678429
• careers@sussex.ac.uk
www.facebook.com/sussexcareers
www.twitter.com/sussxunicareers