Create an effective CV

Getting Started…

Your CV is one of the most important documents you can write

However

Remember that the aim of your CV is to get you an interview before you get a job

What to Include

• Personal details / profile• Education / qualifications• Relevant experience and skills• Previous jobs• Associated achievements• Hobbies and interests• References

Personal Details

• There is no need to put your age or date of birth on your CV (following the introduction of The Age Discrimination Act 2006)

• Make sure all relevant forms of contact are available– Email ( think about how professional your email address look )– Post– Telephone

• If you provide your mobile number, be prepared for a call at any time!

Personal Profile

Summarise your skills (education, training, experience)

But make it relevant to the job

Example:

A versatile and professional law graduate with wide ranging experience in a variety of law-related areas including youth offending, debt and benefits advice, employment

law, and housing. Seeking to combine academic achievements and work experience in a challenging role within the voluntary sector.

Education & Qualifications

• List in reverse order– Most recent at the top– Include the results as well

• Include:– The name of the course– The name of the institution– Any other relevant information

• Modules of study, options etc

• The earliest qualifications do not require the same level of detail

Experience & Skills

• Make sure you know what skills are required for the job

• If you aren’t sure, then research jobs with similar titles

• Think laterally to show you have what is required

Skills to add in CV

Skills Companies look for in a CV:

• Communication• Teamwork• Initiative• Problem solving• Flexibility• Computer skills• Technical skills

Previous Jobs

• The most common approach is to list your previous employment in chronological order

– The most recent first

• Include:– Dates– Company name– Location– Your job title– Responsibilities and Achievements

Other Formats

Depending on your circumstances, other formats may be more appropriate

Functional CV

(if you have been out of work for a long time, or are looking to change careers)

• Replace company, job title and date with the most important skills you feel are required to do the job, with your relevant experience alongside them

– Paid employment– Personal life– Voluntary work

Other Formats

Combination CV

(if you think your career suffers from redundancies and job-hopping, or if you just want to make a different impact!)

• Summarise your skills and achievements– Bullet point list– Remember to include any special skills (CPR, second language)

• Then– Employment background– Relevant volunteer activities

Hobbies and Interests

• Employers want to know you are a rounded individual

• This is your chance to show an extra dimension of your personality

• Highlight things you are passionate about

• Make sure employers know you are human!

References

References are optional

If you do choose to include them, make sure you have asked permission to do so

Make sure you use a suitable reference (no family members)

For more information…

Meet the team at

www.BrightonandHoveJobs.com