Before you start
Before starting to produce a CV it pays to think of it (and yourself) in a number of ways:
- Define where you are a best fit. Are you: a solution (to a business problem) or: added value (to an opportunity)?
- If you give them what they want, you’ll get out of it what you want.
- A CV is a marketing document framed as an information document – you are not just trying to inform employers about you, you’re trying to motivate them to want you for what you want to do.
This is the place to showcase your attributes, skills, abilities, characteristics, hallmarks and experience – what you’ve participated in and where.
It’s a call to action. Give the prospective employer a reason to invite you for an interview or meeting.
CV overview
It may require a few attempts (a bit of tweaking here and there) to get it right. As you enhance it, you may even have different versions tailored to the job specifications you are applying for.
Aim for a 1 or 2 page (max) CV. Demonstrate your skill-set and experience succinctly. Promote your strengths (avoid diluting this with too much detail). If you haven’t left university yet and you have your final year to go, start your CV anyway as it can stimulate your thinking. Keep notes of the activities you get involved in, which will reflect your skills positively when you need them for applications. Keep it fresh, get it checked and don’t fire off your CV until it is ready!
You first CV is likely to lead with your education, below is a screen shot of an example to get you started:
If you would like a full copy of this as a template then please contact us asking for the word document.
Additionally there are a host of other posts on this site to help you with your 30-second pitch! (This is essentially your profile, what is your unique quality and what will help you help an employer choose you?!)
Tip: You can also refer to the word cloud on the home page to pick out some of our top CV and career posts from over the last 12 months...
