This guide will help you put together a basic CV.
What is a CV?
A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a summary of your employment and education history and also provides details of your skills, qualifications and experience.
A CV is your chance to market yourself to potential employers, so use it to highlight your strengths.
Your aim is to get an interview so you need to clearly demonstrate that you have:
The specific skills needed for the job
The right sort of experience needed for the job
The personal qualities needed for the post
An understanding of the requirements of the job
Some job advertisements ask you to include a CV when you apply for a vacancy. You could also send your CV with a covering letter to organisations that you are interested in working for.
Starting point
Before starting your CV you will need to collect a range of information:
Factual information such as dates, qualifications, grades, addresses etc.
Think about all the things you have done e.g. voluntary/community work, full and part-time work, hobbies, sports, school activities, things you do at home
If there is a job advertisement read it carefully and list the job requirements, then list examples of how you meet the requirements on your CV
Presentation
Presentation is important. You will need to think about:
Your CV being word-processed in a standard font type and size and well laid out
The layout should be logical and easy to read with clearly defined sections
Your CV should be a maximum length of 2 sides of A4
Writing a draft CV to help you decide exactly what you want to say
Tailoring your CV to the company/job you are applying for
Check for spelling mistakes or grammatical errors
Types of CV
There are many different types of CV and every CV will look different. This guide will provide you with information on how to put together a basic CV, but there are many different styles of CV.
If you would like to know more about the different types of CV you may want to visit your local library as they often have books on CVs as well as the internet where you can research the different types of CV available. They may also have a computer suite that you could use to type up your CV.
Some local information and advice agencies provide advice and resources to help you put together a CV. For details of local organisations that could help ring nextstep Coventry and Warwickshire on 0800 9 17 18 18.
The basic CV
CVs are usually split into sections. There is no set order for the sections in your CV, but your name should be given at the top.
You may wish to include all or some of the following sections:
1. Your name and contact information
Your name in large bold type
Full address and postcode
Telephone number including area code and mobile number (if you have one)
Email address (if you have one)
2. Profile
This is an important section where you can let the employer know about your skills, experience and what you have to offer. It should be a brief description of yourself and include:
3. Key skills
This is another key section which the employer will concentrate on to see if you are suitable for the job. It is important that you list your main skills in order of relevance to the job you are applying for and that your key skills focus on your most recent experiences.
4. Employment details
As you have already focused on your key skills, this section allows you to list the jobs you have done. You should include:
The name of company (start with the most recent), dates you worked there, job title and a brief description of duties. (Note: For jobs you did some time ago or that are not relevant to the job you are applying for the description of duties can be left out)
Any relevant voluntary or paid activities
5. Qualifications and training
Include any formal qualifications and training you have done and any training undertaken at work. If you choose to, you can also include the names of the school, college or university and the dates you attended. (Note: Do not go back any further than your senior/ secondary school).
6. Interests and references
This section allows you to:
Give brief details of your interests or activities that you do
Mention any clubs or societies you are a member of
You can put 'References available on request' or include the contact details of your referees. You would need to include their name, job title, company name and company address.
Click here to view an example of a basic CV.
Keeping up to date
An up-to-date CV makes a good impression on prospective employers. Keep your CV upto-date by adding new skills, training courses, employment and voluntary activities.Rather than having one standard CV that you send out to all employers, you should have a general CV that can be changed to make it more relevant to the job you are applying for. A CV that is geared for a specific job or working with a particular company will have much more of an effect.
It is easier to keep your CV up-to-date if you have a copy on a disc. Then you can make changes and print off a new copy. Most libraries have access to computers where you can word process and print out your CV - there may be a small charge for printing. Some local information and advice agencies also offer this service.
For details of local organisations that can help you compile a CV ring nextstep Coventry and Warwickshire on 0800 9 17 18 18.
The following websites may also provide help with writing CVs:
www.cvbuilder-advice-resources.co.uk
A tool that helps you build a CV online. It also has a section that will help you identify your skills and information to help you find out more about writing CVs, application forms and covering letters.
www.direct.gov.uk
Click 'Employment', then click on 'Jobseekers'.
Information and help on CVs, job applications, letters and interviews.
www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onelife/work/
Click on 'CVs' for information and tips on how to put a CV together.
Completing your CV online
Some employers will ask you to complete a CV online. This can be done via an online questionnaire or you may be asked to upload your CV as, for example, a Word document. Some job websites also ask you to complete your CV online. This is usually via an online questionnaire. This information is then used to match job-seekers with suitable vacancies, and employers contact the individuals they are interested in.
Examples of this can be found on the following websites:
www.iccoventry.co.uk - click on 'Jobs Midlands'
www.monster.co.uk
Sending your CV by email
Some organisations will ask you to respond to a job vacancy by e-mailing your CV. To write a CV follow the guidelines in this leaflet and then send your CV as an attachment with a covering email.
Use .txt or .doc formats to present your CV. Every PC on the Internet can read a .txt format and most can read Microsoft Word. If you use another computer programme the employer may not be able to access it.
Before sending the email see what your CV looks like by opening it in your Outbox or by sending it to yourself.
Covering email
You will need to include a covering email. This does exactly the same as a covering letter.
See 'A job seekers guide to... Writing letters' for information about what to include.
Important points to remember about writing the email are:
You do not need to include your contact details. Simply begin 'Dear…' and sign off appropriately
Keep the email focused
A chatty email style is not appropriate; this is a formal application being made
In the subject line of the email put the title of the post you are applying for and a job reference number if there is one.
Do a spell check before pressing the send button
Final CV checklist
Appearance: Does it look good, even before it is read?
Accuracy: Has it been checked for spelling and grammatical errors?
Length: Is it a reasonable length?
Evidence: Is there evidence of skills and experience?
Focus: Is it easy to see what type of work you would be good at?
Need more help?
For further information please contact CHEERS or complete the enquiry form below.
Opening times
Monday - Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 2pm
Family Community Care Centre
Ramsden Avenue
Camp Hill
Nuneaton
Warks
CV10 9EB
Telephone: 024 7639 9330
Mobile: 07811 966345
E-mail: info@cheers-cda.co.uk
The Opportunities Centre
Pool Road Industrial Estate
Pool Road
Nuneaton
Warks
CV10 9AE
Telephone: 024 7640 0005
E-mail: info@cheers-cda.co.uk
