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Create Great CV

This document provides tips on creating an effective CV. It outlines the key elements that should be included in a CV such as personal details, education, work experience, skills, interests and achievements, and referees. It emphasizes keeping the CV concise, well-presented and accurate. Common mistakes like typos, an unprofessional email address, and not tailoring the CV to the specific job are highlighted. The document concludes by providing some useful online resources for creating CVs and cover letters.

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NuriaCarro
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36 views

Create Great CV

This document provides tips on creating an effective CV. It outlines the key elements that should be included in a CV such as personal details, education, work experience, skills, interests and achievements, and referees. It emphasizes keeping the CV concise, well-presented and accurate. Common mistakes like typos, an unprofessional email address, and not tailoring the CV to the specific job are highlighted. The document concludes by providing some useful online resources for creating CVs and cover letters.

Uploaded by

NuriaCarro
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 52

How to create a great CV

How to stop your CV hitting the slush pile...

4th June 2010


A great CV is the
gateway to a better
career
Aims and Objectives

By the end of this session you should:


Understand what a CV is and how it should be used
Know the elements required in a great CV
Be able to prevent some of the common CV errors
Get some tips and hints to stand out from the crowd
Know what employers want to get from your CV
Notice

Some of the content may seem obvious


However, the number of errors in CVs is not decreasing!
These tips will prevent you making some of the common mistakes!
Ask yourself...

Do you have a CV?


Is your CV perfect?
Is your CV up to date?
Does your CV contain the
right information?
Is it addressed to the right
person?
01
What is a CV?
Understanding what a CV is...
What is a CV?
A dictionary definition
Your CV is an advertisement for you
and your skills.

It may be the only way an employer


can select you from the masses!
What is a CV used for?

Employers will chose who to interview based on CVs

So, no matter how good you are, a poor CV could mean no interview!
02
What are the rules for CVs?
The three golden rules for CVs
The 3 Golden Rules

Keep it simple
Present it well
Make sure it is accurate!
Rule 1 - Keep It Simple (KISS)

You have a short time to sell yourself


Keep it clear and concise
Less is more
Rule 2 Present it Well

Make it look smart and professional


Take time to ensure it is correct and right for the job you are applying for
Ensure there are no typos or errors

Harry Smith
CV
Rule 3 Make Sure it is Accurate

86% of interviewers think that CVs they receive are not accurate
In reality only 35% of CVs are factually correct

Dont be caught out with an inaccurate CV, be in the minority and tell the truth!

Business Balls Survey


03
What should you put in your CV?
Knowing what to include
Build Your CV

Creating a CV is not an exact science


However if you ensure you include the following information you will cover the information
an employer will require
What should a CV contain?

Personal Details
Education and Qualifications
Work Experience
Skills
Interests and Achievements
Referees
Personal Details

Name
Address
Phone number
Email

Date of Birth
Education and Qualifications

Your degree subject, grade and university


A Levels
Key GCSEs (Maths and English)

Mention the grades you received unless they are particularly low
Work Experience

List all roles


Show the useful skills such as working in a team and providing a high quality service as
a waiter
Where possible show skills which are relevant for the job you are applying for
Emphasise where you have demonstrated skills for the role
Use positive verbs for description
Skills

What else are you good at? For example:


Languages fluent in German and Italian
Computing good IT skills including Excel
Driving licence full clean driving licence
Interests and Achievements

This can show your wider personality


Keep it short as it is secondary
Try to show a variety of interests
Can you demonstrate leadership or employability skills?
e.g.: scout leader, Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, planning and organising events
What is a good interest?

stamp-collecting, going to the cinema and reading


This may suggest that you are a solitary person who doesn't get on with others.
This may not be true, but employers have nothing else to go on at this stage

reading, cinema, travel, socialising with friends.


This is better, at least you suggest that they can get on with other people.
What is a good interest?

Cinema: member of the University Film-Making Society


Travel: travelled through Europe by train this summer in a group of four people, visiting
historic sites and practising my French and Italian
Reading: helped younger pupils with reading difficulties at school.

The impression given by this is of an outgoing proactive individual who help others.
Much better than the first example!
Referees

You can either add two referees to your CV or state that referees are available on
request
If this is your first job you could ask university tutors, mentors or friends

No, dont list your mother...


04
Can you write like a copy writer?
How to use English to your advantage
Using Positive Verbs

For example, rather than:


I had to complete staff rotas and get people to undertake work

Use a more positive approach


I developed staff rotas and managed the staff to complete tasks
05
How do I get my CV read?
Its a great CV, now make sure it is seen
How long should my CV be?

How long do you think recruiters spend on average deciding to screen out a CV?
Just 8 seconds
How long should my CV be?

Keep it short and punchy


There are no hard and fast rules, but most people say that a CV should be...

No more than two sides of A4

3
How do I present my CV?

On paper use a high quality paper stock in white or off-white


Avoid lurid colours (you will stand out for the wrong reasons)
Ensure it is clear and well printed
Chose the right font

Any font you use should be clean and simple to read


You could try:
Calibri
Times New Roman
Arial
Verdana

Avoid fonts which may not be clear or professional


Emailing your CV

Format
PDF can be opened on any machine and looks professional
MS Word some compatibility issues, beware hidden data
Text or the body of an email to be avoided!
What is your email address?

[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

Perhaps you
should consider
a better email
to send your
CV from!
Getting to the Right Person

83% of HR departments will immediately reject inaccurately addressed CVs or covering


letters

If you are not sure who to send it to, give the company a call to check!

Royal Mail Survey


Use the personal touch

Dont just send out carbon copy CVs make the effort
to personalise each one for the role and employer
involved

The closer your skills fit to the job specification the more
likely you are to be interviewed
What if my CV does not fit?

If you find that you cannot tailor your CV to meet the job specification you need to ask...

Is this the right job for you?


The covering letter

Should I use a covering letter with my CV?


YES!
The covering letter will allow you to explain exactly why you want the role and how you
would be suited to it.
It should answer the question Why should you invite me to interview
06
Should I proof read my CV?
The power of mistakes...
Its important to get it right...
Remember!
Spot the Mistoke...

In my spare time, I
like hiding my horse
Spot the Mistoke...

I hope to hear from


you shorty
Spot the Mistoke...

I worked with a full


shift
sh*t system
Spot the Mistoke...

Im an accurate
and rabid typist
07
And finally...
Getting it right!

Just remember that your CV is important


Follow the simple rules
Make sure there are no silly mistakes

48
Good luck with your new career!

49
08
Useful Weblinks
Here are some useful web links

The University of Kent Careers service has a wide range of useful information about CVs
http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv.htm - How to write a successful CV
http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/cvexamples.htm#templates CV Templates

The Great CVs site has advice on covering letters


http://www.greatcvs.co.uk/why-important-write-cover-letter.html

Total Jobs has advice on creating Winning CVs


http://www.totaljobs.com/Graduate/Content/OneChanceToMakeTheFirstImpression.html

The Careers Service has an online CV builder


https://www.cvbuilder-advice-
resources.co.uk/careersadvice/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2

Presentation to insert name here 51


Wilf Voss
[email protected]
www.wilfvoss.me.uk

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