Scribd
Upload
64 views

Kaplan CV Tips Guide

This guide provides tips for creating an effective CV to maximize chances of finding a first job or apprenticeship. The key elements to include are: contact information; a brief personal statement; work experience; education and qualifications; references; and a few lines on interests. The CV should be no more than two pages, with easy to read formatting like bullet points and subheadings. Attention to spelling, grammar and relevance is important to make a good impression on employers.

Uploaded by

prince husain
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
64 views

Kaplan CV Tips Guide

This guide provides tips for creating an effective CV to maximize chances of finding a first job or apprenticeship. The key elements to include are: contact information; a brief personal statement; work experience; education and qualifications; references; and a few lines on interests. The CV should be no more than two pages, with easy to read formatting like bullet points and subheadings. Attention to spelling, grammar and relevance is important to make a good impression on employers.

Uploaded by

prince husain
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/ 2

Hints & tips for

the perfect CV Over


1,200
Apprentices
This guide will help maximise your
placed in the
chances of finding your first job.
last 4 years*

Introductory information Personal statement


1. Name – If you are a Katherine but prefer to be Kate for This should be no more than a few paragraphs. Make it
example, state Katherine and surname and add (Kate) clear and concise about the sort of person you are, the
in brackets. Middle names are not needed. role you are looking for and how your skills fit the job role
advertised, if applicable. Explain to the employer what you
2. Address – State full address including postcode. If you have to offer their organisation.
are applying for a job outside of your home address area,
then state ‘looking to relocate’. Remember – If you do not get this bit right – the employer
may not bother to look at the rest of your CV.
3. E–mail address – Make sure your email address is
suitable for employers to contact you and you check it
regularly.
Key skills and achievements
Your achievements do not all need to come from previous
4. Phone number – Make sure you have a voicemail job roles, they may be achievements that have been
message and leave a professional message suitable obtained at school, e.g school captain of netball/
for potential employers to hear. Check your voicemail football team.
messages regularly.
If demonstrating your key skills, do not simply state
5. State if eligible to work in the UK. ‘I am an effective communicator’. Explain how you have
demonstrated a variety of communications methods and
6. Availability – State if you are immediately available how they have helped you achieve something or had a
or from July on completion of GCSE / A-level exams, positive effect.
for example.
It is preferable to list your key skills and achievements with
7. Form of transport – State if you rely on public transport, bullet points.
if you have a full driving licence, if your drivers licence is
clean, if you have a car, if you are learning to drive and
when you hope to have your drivers licence.

* Based on 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 placements.


† A template CV is available to download from our website.

www.kaplanapprenticeships.co.uk
Work Experience References
State the employer name, start and finish dates of your time in Make sure that you have up to usually one personal, one
the role and a brief outline of your responsibilities, including employment reference that can be contacted. Confirm that
any staff you managed. Put the most recent job first. these people are happy to act as a referee for you and that
they know you are looking for work and may be contacted.
If you have any gaps in your employment history due to
illness or times away travelling for example, then state this If you do not have suitable employers, school/college
in your CV. teachers can be used. A personal reference may also be
asked for by your new employer. This should be someone who
Include any part time and voluntary work. If you are a school has known you outside of work, e.g. a sports club or charity
leaver with limited previous job roles, then be proactive in organisation you have been involved with. Include the name
looking to get work experience and make sure this is shown of the referee, the name of company they work for / place you
on your CV. know them from, their address, phone number and email
address. You can state ‘References available on request’ if
Education and Professional you do not want an employer to see these in advanced.

Qualifications Things to remember


State the school/college name, the dates you were there
and the qualifications gained at each. State individual Keep the details on your CV entirely relevant to the type
A–level and GCSE subjects, grades and dates achieved. of job / apprenticeship you are applying for.

If you have qualifications from overseas, state the Make it easy to read; brief and informative, it should be
equivalent type of qualification level in the UK. no more than 2 sides of A4 paper†. Use bullet points and
subheadings where suitable.
Please remember: If you have a Level 4 qualification
or degree you are not eligible to apply for an Use the full page and avoid having large sections of text,
Apprenticeship scheme. as it makes it hard to read.

Put the time and effort into making your CV look good.
Other relevant skills
Employers can tell if you have rushed to complete it and
Explain what experience you have of using Microsoft not taken much time.
programmes, and any other relevant systems that may
be used in the work place. Always make sure your spelling and grammar is checked.
Ask someone else who knows you to check this for you.
State other languages you can speak and how fluently Always make sure capitals are used for ‘I’, names and
they are spoken. jobs roles.

Include any other relevant training you may have done. Keep your CV up to date; you never know when you
will need it.
Interests Sell yourself and give good examples of the experience
Keep it brief and just a couple of lines long. Evidence of you have had and the skills you have gained. You need to
being part of a team, or leading a team would be beneficial. make yourself stand out from the crowd/other applicants.

You do not need to include date of birth, marital status,


sexual orientation or pictures.

Have any questions? Avoid humour and sarcasm.


Do not use abbreviations, text language, avoid writing
For more information on our CV service, in the third person or in a story telling fashion, avoid
contact our dedicated support team on repetition and be honest.
01908 540 066 Avoid fancy fonts, boxes and contrasting text size,
[email protected] and examinable marks. Arial size 10–12 is standard.

www.kaplanapprenticeships.co.uk

You might also like