CV Hints and Tips

Your CV is a very valuable document and is often your principal marketing tool. A good CV should give you the opportunity to embark on that next step in your career, gain a better position, offer new challenges, etc. Your CV will create that all-important favourable first impression and therefore has to represent the best you have to offer. Failure will result on missing that opportunity that was made just for you. Presentation Employers are often inundated with CV's for their vacancies, particularly if you are responding to a nation-wide advertisement. Presentation is an early selection criterion which you cannot afford to fail. The average time spent reading a CV is two minutes, therefore your CV should:

Always be typed, on good quality A4 sized paper. Be of no more than two pages in length. Unless you have a good reason, avoid over-colourful stationary. If you can't type yourself it is a worthwhile investment to have your CV professionally produced. Always send an original and not a photocopy; otherwise it may look like you have been sending your CV to lots of companies. Make sure your CV creates the sort of image you want portrayed. It should illustrate clearly your skills, capabilities and achievements.

Targeting Your CV Your CV should be tailored to suit the particular needs of your potential employer, highlighting your most relevant experience and achievements. A covering letter will enable you to target your application, and show your interest. Covering letters should: Be addressed personally Have the correct job title Contain the name of the contact/interviewer

General Layout There is no one way to write your CV. The most important point to remember is your CV should be a flexible document, in which you should be able to tailor it to suit the position you are applying for. The following gives guidelines, which will keep your CV clear and concise.

Personal Details Name, address, telephone numbers (home, business, mobile), date of birth and if it's relevant to the job whether you have a current driving licence.

Education, Training & Qualifications Always start with the highest level of qualification obtained. List the establishment, the dates attended and results achieved, including grades. You should also list details of any courses attend in regard to your career development, stating whether they were internal or external. Personal Statement This should highlight your overall experience, achievements and responsibilities with a maximum of 5 lines. E.g. I am a qualified Social Worker with over 5 years experience in … Employment History List your career development in reverse chronological order beginning with your most recent/current employer first State the name and nature of the business, alongside the dates of employment, and job title. Bullet point up to a maximum of 8 responsibilities. E.g. Carried a caseload of … Avoid leaving gaps in your employment history. If you have taken a career break, for example to raise a family, travel, then say so. Additional Information Use this as an opportunity to express something of your personality,still keeping it brief and factual. Show any interests or hobbies that may underline qualities that will help you in the role you are applying. E.g. Participation in sports could highlight that you are able to a team or your competitive nature. Always read through your CV carefully, checking for grammar, spelling and sense. It is always a good idea to get someone else to read it through. They may notice something that you have missed. Remember to keep your CV - WELL PRESENTED, FACTUAL AND CONCISE