Tips for writing a CV

• Employers may not have time to read masses of information, so relate your past employment to the role you are applying for – this may mean a new CV per job application
•  Use positive and active language
• Highlight your selling points clearly (eg your key skills and most relevant achievements).
• Career history and education should be most recent first
• Include brief information on you interests and explain any gaps in employment history.
•  Limit it to a maximum of 2 sides of information – keep it concise and use a simple font (eg Arial)
• Keep it clear and specific – simple language works best.
• Always include a covering setter
• Always type your CV and get it checked for spelling, grammar and ease of understanding
•  Employers may be deterred by unusual or silly email addresses or answer phone messages
• Do not include names and addresses of referees, or use referees asking them first.

What information should a CV include?

Personal details

Normally this would include your name, address, date of birth, contact telephone number and email.

Education and qualifications

The postgraduate and/or undergraduate degree subject and university/institution you attended, plus any other relevant qualifications.

Highlight any scholarships or prizes relevant to the role you are applying for (eg essay writing, debating, mooting, etc).

Work experience

Use active language such as developed, planned and organised which demonstrate experience and skills.

Relate your skills to the role to which you are applying. Through you work experience, you may have obtained analytical and problem-solving skills, persuasion and negotiating skills along with communication skills – use your CV to highlight them.

Even work in a shop, bar or restaurant will involve responsibility and teamwork, providing a quality service and dealing tactfully with people as well as a determination to take on multiple responsibilities.

Interests and achievements

Keep this section short and concise. Bullet points can be used to separate interests into different types (eg sporting, creative, etc).

Do not use boring clichés (eg ‘socialising with friends’). Too many passive, solitary hobbies may leave an employer perceiving you as lacking people skills – show a range of interests to avoid coming across as too narrow-focused.

Hobbies that are a little out of the ordinary can help you to stand out from the crowd and demonstrate that you can be relied upon in demanding situations.

Always highligh interests relevant to the job – teamwork, organising, planning, persuading, negotiating etc. Evidence of leadership is also important as is the ability to communicate effectively: for example, captain or coach of a sports team, course representative, chair of a student body, or editor of a journal.

Skills

Many employers place great emphasis on languages, particularly English. If you can demonstrate that you have spent time studying or working abroad this may also help show that you have a broader international view of matters.

If you have an interest or experience in specific business or industry sectors (eg energy, finance, media, etc) this may also help to demonstrate your commercial awareness.

Referees

Normally two referees are sufficient: one academic (perhaps your tutor or a project supervisor) and one from an employer (perhaps your last part-time or summer job).