Writing a C.V.

A C.V. provides an opportunity for you to sell yourself, i.e. match your skills and experience with the employer's needs. It should inform and persuade. With a C.V., unlike an application form, you are in complete control of what you include and can therefore select and compose information in a way that emphasises your suitability for the job.

Your C.V. should include:

• Personal details (name, address, telephone, e-mail)

• Education and qualifications

• Skills

• Work experience

• Interests

• Contact information for referees.

C.V. Don’ts

• Don’t send out the same C.V. for every job. You’re better off sending out three targeted and well researched C.V.s than 30 identical C.V.s.
• Put together a basic C.V. on which to build, then, for each position, you can add to it with more specific details or take away some irrelevant details or sections.

An Effective C.V.

• Says clearly who you are, what you've done and what you can offer an employer

• Is full of action words describing what you do/did

• Emphasises clearly your key skills and achievements

• Contains nothing negative about you

• Looks attractive - well laid out, easy to read and understand

• Is interesting to read and will make the reader to want to meet you.

Remember

• Use no more than 2 sides of A4 (academic C.V.s can be longer)

• Word-process on good quality paper (try not to use photocopies)

• Use reverse chronology i.e. most recent dates first

• Use positive, focused language to create a favourable impression

• Make use of bullet points, bold, italics etc for emphasis but don't go overboard!

• Use a different C.V. if you are applying for different types of work;

• Never send a C.V. without a covering letter.

Types of C.V.

Skills based

Combine your various skills and experiences and target them towards those the organisation is looking for.

Chronological

Presented in reverse chronological order. Chronological C.V.s are commonly used when the applicant has directly related experience.

Professional/Academic C.V.

Target it towards the job you are applying for, mentioning research you might have carried out and articles you might have had published. Also mention membership of professional bodies and details of awards received.

Electronic C.V.s

Sending C.V.s by email is increasingly popular with employers.

• Check first if possible, whether the C.V. should be sent in the main body of the email or as an attachment

• If you are sending C.V. in the main body of the email, save as text only (i.e. without formatting)

• Make sure you fill in the subject line of the email

• Remember to make the first screen interesting, so the employer wants to read on

• Your covering letter could form the first part of the email.

Scannable C.V.s

Many employers are now electronically scanning C.V.s they receive in the post. Employers use this scanning to see if the applicant has appropriate skills and abilities for the post by picking out the key words from the C.V.

C.V.s on the Web

• You can either create your own website or use a C.V. bank or agency

• C.V.s held on databases are likely to be scanned, so you will need to follow a set format

• Keep it simple

• Unless relevant to the type of work, don't make extensive use of graphics and fonts

• Date pages and check regularly.

More Information

• Resumes & CVs (from CV Tips) - templates and further information

This content comes from The University of Essex