Aim up - CV

CVs that sell

What is a CV?

A Curriculum Vitae - CV for short - is a short written summary of what you have to offer an employer. It's a kind of personal advertisement, but it's totally factual and presented in a formal way.

A CV gives key facts about you, including your qualifications, skills and personal qualities. It gives brief details to back up the statements you make about yourself.

You send a CV:

With application letters
With letters asking if there are any jobs
With letters asking people for advice about jobs and careers

Example CV

Do's and Don'ts

How do you put together a CV?

Step 1: Collect info

Get your facts straight:

Start and finish dates for your schools, colleges and jobs
Names of schools and employers
What you covered in any courses
What you did in any jobs

Be clear about what you have to offer:

Your skills, qualities and qualifications
Examples that show what you have to offer (eg achievements, interests/hobbies)

Be specific and highlight your good points.

So, if you´re a part-time DJ, mention that:

You like to beat match, cut and scratch, perform spinbacks (this shows you are creative)
Your ability to mix has improved with practice (this shows that you are happy to work hard to get something right)
You have to fit in with what clients want, not what you want to play (this shows that you are flexible).

Be certain of your contact details:

Address
Phone numbers
Email address

Step 2: Draft

Organise your information under headings:

Personal details, including contact info
Education and qualifications
Skills
Work experience, including responsibilities, duties and achievements
Hobbies and interests

Keep information short and to the point. Use lists.

Step 3: Test

Check the information against what you know is needed for the job you want:

Is there anything you could add?
Is there anything you could word differently?

If you know someone who knows about the job you want, ask him or her to read through your draft and make suggestions.

Step 4: Present

Format and word process your CV so that it:

Fits on one side of A4
Is clear and easy to read

Step 5: Check

Check:

Facts
Spelling
Punctuation
Formatting

Step 6: Check again

It might not seem fair, but one mistake could cost you your interview. If you can, get someone else to check it for you.

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