CV’s – What to include
Personal details - Name, address, email, telephone/mobile numbers,
Personal Profile – This section should contain your personal qualities and skills.
Education and Qualifications - This section should contain the schools and colleges you have attended including the qualifications achieved and dates you attended. Always most recent qualification gained first. You need to be able to back these up with certificates if requested
Employment History & Work Experience – This should include the company name, position you held and the dates you worked there, as well as the duties you undertook. Start with most recent first.
Hobbies & Interests - Try to include active/practical hobbies such as reading, sports, crafts, etc. If you are in any clubs, name them and state any achievements.
Referees – Ideally you should put two references, these can include previous employers, teachers, mentors or any other person who knows you well excluding family members and friends. Details should include their name, job title, address and contact number.
If you are not sure of the references and need time to arrange these you could make a statement such as “references can be provided upon request” Rather than amending your CV, you can just add an additional sheet with references onto your CV.
Examples of different layouts/ formats
Name
Address
Postcode
Contact Numbers
Email Address
Personal Profile
A paragraph highlighting your personal qualities.
Examples of phrases / words:
Well organised – motivated - hardworking – punctual – ability to work in a team – use own initiative – develop new skills quickly – flexible – adaptable – reliable – positive – trustworthy – practical – friendly – out going – helpful – driven – conscientious – problem solving skills - work well under pressure – meet all deadlines – capable – effective – etc - etc
Education and Qualifications
List schools, colleges and training providers.
Include dates of when you started and left (ensure most recent is first)
List the qualifications that you have received.
Example:
West High Comprehensive
Sept 02 – Jun 07
G.C.S.E
· Maths - B
· English - C
· Science – E,E
Employment History
Include details of all work experience, employment history and voluntary work. (most recent first)
Name the Employer, job title and dates
Highlight the main duties whilst you were there.
Example:
ACE Ltd Trident Oct 05 – 3 weeks
· Inputted data onto the company database
· General administration duties – included photocopying, filing and answering external telephone calls.
Hobbies and Interest
Highlight activities that you enjoy doing and have a keen interest in. If you are a member of any clubs or associations name them and how long you have been with them.
Example:
Sporting activities, DIY, reading, gardening etc
References
Ideally provide details of 2 references, including name, job title and contact details. References can not be family or friends.
Example:
Miss G Smith
Form Tutor
West High Comprehensive
High Street
Rotherham
S60 1LL
Tel: 01709 887766
Name
Address
Postcode
Contact Details
Personal Profile
A paragraph highlighting personal qualities.
Examples of phrases / words:
Well organised – motivated - hardworking – punctual – ability to work in a team – use own initiative – develop new skills quickly – flexible – adaptable – reliable – positive – trustworthy – practical – friendly – out going – helpful – driven – conscientious – problem solving skills - work well under pressure – meet all deadlines – capable – effective – etc - etc
Education and Qualifications
List schools, colleges and training providers.
Include dates of when you started and left (ensure most recent is first)
List the qualifications that you have received.
Example:
West High Comprehensive
Sept 02 – Jun 07
G.C.S.E
· Maths - B
· English - C
· Science – E,E
Employment History
Include details of all work experience, employment history and voluntary work. (most recent first)
Name the Employer, job title and dates
Highlight the main duties whilst you were there.
Example:
ACE Ltd Trident Oct 05 – 3 weeks
· Inputted data onto the company database
· General administration duties – included photocopying, filing and answering external telephone calls.
Hobbies and Interest
Highlight activities that you enjoy doing and have a keen interest in. If you are a member of any clubs or associations name them and how long you have been with them.
Example:
Sporting activities, DIY, reading, gardening etc
References
Ideally provide details of 2 references, including name, job title and contact details. References can not be family or friends.
Example:
Miss G Smith
Form Tutor
West High Comprehensive
High Street
Rotherham
S60 1LL
Tel: 01709 887766
CV writing tips
v Keep it short and clear – a CV doesn’t need to be no more than 2 pages long, if it is any longer you may lose the employers interest.
v Style and Format – make your CV look eye catching but don’t overdo it by using different styles and formats as it may make your CV difficult to read.
v Appropriate headings – ensure the headings stand out from the rest of the text so that the employer can find the information they require easily.
v Avoid lists – try to avoid using too many lists to highlight skills, duties etc - only use when appropriate.
v Spelling and grammar – after completing your CV, ensure you check for spelling and grammar errors. If you’re not confident with doing this, get someone you’re comfortable with to read through it.
v Most recent first – always put your most recent employment, education and training first.
v Be honest – simply that. Never put information on your CV that isn’t true or accurate. The employer will always find out sooner or later.
v Covering letter – always attach a covering letter. A covering letter is a brief introduction to your CV, ( More information is provided at the back of this pack)
What are your personal qualities?
Tick the words/phrases that describe you best – these phrases will help to make up your personal profile.
¨ Organised - Good at arranging things and keeping things in order.
□ Hardworking - Working on a regular basis, doing overtime when required
□ Helpful - Willing to help other people when necessary.
□ Quick learner - Quick to learn a job or task.
□ Friendly - Being able to get on with EVERYONE.
□ Practical - Good at practical tasks/working with your hands.
□ Neat and tidy - Keeping your work area and yourself tidy (smart).
□ Trust worthy - Being trusted not to cheat, or be dishonest.
□ Flexible - Willing to work late, overtime, shifts, evenings, weekends and travel to other areas.
□ Adaptable - Able to move from one job or situation, learning quickly.
□ Determined/Motivated - Keen to get what you want and willing to work hard to get it.
□ Caring - Thinking about the thoughts and feelings of other people.
□ Capable - Being able to do something unsupervised and without help.
□ Reliable – can be depended upon
□ Positive – “I can” attitude
□ Professional - Being able to carry something out extremely well with
good results.
¨ Driven – has the passion to succeed or excel
¨ Effective - To produce the intended or expected result
□ Patient - Not losing your temper even in difficult situations.
□ Conscientious - Not phoning in sick when you’re perfectly well. Turning up for work regularly. Doing a job to the best of your ability.
□ Punctual (Good Timekeeping) - Turning up for work on time, rarely being late.
□ Initiative - Being able to look around and find things to do without being asked.
□ Teamwork - Working and getting on well with others in a group situation. Offering to help a colleague who has a difficult or large workload.
□ Good Communicator Good at talking to others and explaining things verbally, face to face or over the phone.
□ Logical thinking - Good at working out a problem to find a solution or result.
□ Prioritise – ability to order work appropriately
□ Meet targets/ deadlines – ability to work effectively and meet all deadlines set.
□ Work well under pressure – don’t panic when issues arise or deadlines get close
These phrases will help you put together your personal profile – so be honest and tick the ones that apply to you only.
Curriculum Vitae – Pro Forma
Please complete this section and bring along to your appointment.
Name: ______
Address: ______
______
Postcode ______
Telephone numbers: ______
Personal Profile – use the personal qualities you highlighted to help complete
this section
______
Education and Qualifications – include the school, dates and qualifications
you achieved
School/ College / Subject / Qualification / GradeDates you started and finished
Add any other qualifications you have achieved
Employment History
______
Hobbies & Interests
______
References
______
Covering Letter Top Tips
A covering letter is a brief introduction to your CV, but a vital attachment required when applying for vacancies. There are two main types of covering letters:
Ø A letter which is being sent to apply for a specific vacancy
Ø A speculative letter – which is an enquiry about the opportunities within the company who may not have any actual vacancies at the time of applying.
Top Tips when producing a Cover letter
Ø Covering letter doesn’t need to be anymore than 1 A4 page.
Ø Start with your name, address and contact number on the top right corner of the page
Ø If you know who you need to address the letter to, write their details a few spaces down from yours, but on the left hand side.
Ø The opening paragraph should tell them what type of job you are applying for – if you are applying for a specific vacancy state the job title, where and when you saw it advertised
Ø Second paragraph should briefly highlight any skills and experience you have gained and state how it would be suitable for the position you are applying for.
Ø A closing paragraph is required to bring the letter to end and should highlight to the employer your availability for interviews.
Ø If you know the name of the person you are addressing the letter to then sign it “yours sincerely” if not then sign it “yours faithfully”
Ø Finally, sign your name at the bottom of the letter.
Covering letter template
Name
Address
Postcode
Date
Name of Employer
Address
Postcode
Re: the vacancy you are applying for ie Office Administration Apprenticeship
Dear, insert a name if you have one, if not address it to Sir/Madam, Store Manager
I am writing to apply for the position of “insert job title” which is currently being advertised on “insert where you have seen the vacancy and date it was advertised.”
I have recently left Rotherham College of Arts and Technology where I achieved a BTEC First Diploma in Business Administration. I have gained valuable work experience whilst attending Shelton Ltd one day a week for my college placement. The placement enabled me to develop my transferrable skills such as customer service, communication and team working skills - the duties that I undertook are highlighted in more depth in my CV. I believe the skills and qualities that I have gained will enable me to fulfil the role and duties required for this post.
I have enclosed a copy of my CV as requested, if you require any further information please don’t hesitate to contact me. I would welcome the opportunity of attending an interview at your convenience and look forward to hearing from you shortly.
Yours Sincerely – sign it this way if you have a name to address the letter to
Yours Faithfully – sign it this way if you don’t know who you are addressing it to
Leave space to sign your name
Type your name