Writing a CV

    About CV's

    A Curriculum Vitae (CV) outlines your personal details and your relevant skills, experience and qualifications. It is used to help you "sell yourself" to a prospective employer by highlighting your strengths and achievements. The aim of a CV is to get you an interview.

    Writing and then updating a CV is a useful technique during job search as it helps you keep track of your skills and experience in one document. It can also help you think about what you have done in employment, education or leisure activities in preparation for completing application forms.

    Types of CV and when to use them

    The two most common types of CV are:

    Chronological

    • A traditional format where work experience is organised in date order
    • Use when staying in a similar field, job history shows career development or if last employer's name may be advantageous

    Download Example of a chronologial CV (Word, 32KB).

    Functional

    • Gives an emphasis to the transferable skills and experience gained, avoiding any reliance on work in date order
    • Use when changing careers, skills are more impressive than employment history, you have had a range of unconnected jobs

    Download Example of a functional CV (Word, 32KB).

    Buzz Words

    Through a CV you are saying to an employer "I can do this job" and "interview me". This means that you need to present yourself in the most positive way possible. One way you can do this is through the words you use to promote yourself. The following work areas and associated words may help when putting together your CV:

    Coping with routine
    Conscientious, Consistent, Controlled, Coped, Dealt with, Efficient, Managed, Performed

    Working with others
    Advised, Co-operated, Counselled, Facilitated, Guided, Managed, Negotiated, Participated, Presented, Supervised

    Achievements
    Accomplished, Achieved, Co-ordinated, Created, Developed, Formulated, Revitalised, Recommended

    Problem-solving
    Implemented, Improved, Instigated, Interpreted, Initiated, Inspired, Introduced, Investigated

    Initiative
    Created, Designed, Developed, Devised, Directed, Established, Formulated, Innovated, Motivated, Negotiated, Organised, Originated

    Skills and achievements

    This section of your CV allows you to sell yourself through listing your main skills and experience. You can use the following outline of skills to help you judge your abilities:

    Skills with individuals

    • Communicate well using the telephone
    • Persuade or sell to individuals
    • Deal with customers
    • Manage and supervise individuals
    • Delegate work to others

    Skills with groups

    • Communicate to small groups
    • Lead seminars
    • Perform or entertain people
    • Persuade a group
    • Take part in group debates
    • Brief a team
    • Chair meetings

    Commercial skills

    • Manage or run a budget
    • Spot potential markets
    • Develop a new business
    • Design a marketing campaign
    • Look after customers well
    • Develop new sales initiatives
    • Promote or sell by telephone

    Skills with information

    • Research a topic
    • Gather information by interviewing people
    • Check information for errors/proof read
    • Analyse information
    • Organise or classify data
    • Retrieve information
    • Write reports

    Physical skills

    • Manual dexterity
    • Ability/strength/speed
    • Craft/sewing/weaving
    • Painting/finishing/restoring
    • Washing/cleaning or preparing
    • Setting up or assembling
    • Growing/tending

    Personal Profiles

    Personal profiles introduce you as an applicant. They are one paragraph and outline your key strengths, achievements and goals. The following examples offer an outline of the different styles you can use:

    "A college leaver with excellent computer skills. My college course work and work placements have enabled me to gain good research and presentation skills and an ability to communicate with the general public. I also see myself as an enthusiastic and reliable team player who is willing and able to develop new skills quickly."

    "I regard myself as a cheerful and friendly person, who is reliable and trustworthy. I am keen to learn new skills and use my considerable abilities within a garage/car business environment."

    "I am currently looking for work in the computer industry, I am very familiar with most aspects of computing and have used computers for many years, always confident in learning anything new."

    Check your CV

    Your CV has around 10-15 seconds to impress a potential employer. It is vital that you sell yourself effectively by using positive language and by highlighting your key skills and achievements. Remember these key tips:

    • Limit it to a maximum of 2 sides of A4 - keep it concise!
    • Keep it clear and specific - simple language works best
    • Use positive and active language
    • Highlight your selling points clearly

    Last updated: 11 September 2009

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