INFORMATION FOR YOUR CV
What should I put in my online CV?
We recommend that the online CV is divid edinto two parts. The first part is the ordinary equivalent of a paper CV that can be printed. The next part can expand on areas that you feel need more information in order to state your case more fully and can include images to illustrate what words cannot.
Part 1 - the paper style part of your online CV
Your name and contact details (not your home address). This can be included on your covering letter and your sub domain CV name.
Your CV has to sell you! Underneath your contact details you need to add a teaser that makes the reader keep on reading. This is in the form of a personal profile. It should consist of no more than 80 words and be written in the third person as this is a more professional style.
It should act as an objective summary of your career status, successes, progression and areas of expertise. It should also indicate some of your characteristics and personality. Those that would be of use in the workplace. You could include what in your chosen industry motivates you and gives you job satisfaction and in what things you take pride.
You need to think about all the skills and qualities you have, and how and where you have demonstrated them.
Use buzz words that are active and interesting, preferably ones that relate to the prospective job.
Characteristics - you could use adaptable, innovative, conscientious, pro-active etc.
Motivation - you you could use, being a part of a team, meeting deadlines, learning new skills etc.
Skills - you could use, communication, decision making, time management, negotiating skills etc.
Finally, compare your lists with what the company is looking for.
Try to include words that were included in any advertisement for the job vacancy, from the Company’s online profile and personnel specification. If they are looking for a dedicated, highly motivated etc. Then use those same terms if you feel they could apply to you. Use similar same terms throughout your CV and in your covering letter.
There are three areas of your life that you can enter on your CV:
Paid or unpaid, long or short term, permanent or casual - it all counts. Start with your most recent work first and work backwards.
Give your job title, start and end date.
Give the name of the firm you worked for and a brief description of the company.
List your main responsibilities, duties, skills, achievements (especially those useful to an employer).
- Start with most recent and work backwards.
- List the subjects and grades.
- List vocational courses if relevant.
- List courses uncertified if relevant.
- On the job training.
- Work place training courses.
Any activities that show you as a well rounded individual or promote interests in areas covered by the employment in which you are interested.
Any activity that you do, such as being part of a community groups, volunteer work, relevant hobbies,sports, travel etc.
Highlight any activities in which you have to use leadership skills or have extra responsibilities or which involve you in relating to others. If you have published any articles, jointly or by yourself, give details. If you have been involved in any type of volunteer work, give details.
‘Cannot’, ‘do not’, ‘would not’ and ‘could not’. A CV should remain positive throughout.
Reasons for Leaving Previous Jobs unless you can put this in a positive way.
Do not misrepresent what you can do. What is the point of getting an interview only to be ‘caught out’ when asked to qualify your CV information. Honesty is the best policy.
What can I leave out of my CV?
Long paragraphs. Make the information short and to the point. Easy to read. Easy to remember.
You do not need to give details of every GCSE you have, the number and the grades that you have achieved is sufficient if you already have plenty of material to fill 2 pages.
It is a matter of personal choice as to whether you include marital status, age or date of birth. Consider however, that the person perusing your CV may have some personal prejudice that may effect their judgement. Legally, these things should not affect your chances of getting most jobs, but why give it a chance to.
Qualifications that are not relevant to the job role
The CV title. Anyone who receives it knows it is a CV, use the space to promote yourself instead.
A good CV doesn't have to, but can include references, or instead include a sentence that states that references are available upon request.
Typically you may be expected to provide 2 references, sometimes more depending on the position.
You could be expected to provide references from at least your last employer and possibly employment prior to this. If you have recently left the academic arena then you will be expected to provide an academic reference, perhaps from your tutor of head of year.
Another referee might be someone who works in a professional capacity but who knows you well enough to vouch for your character.
What can I put in part 2 (the non standard part) of my CV?
Almost anything! Photos, drawing, text, designs. Anything you feel promotes you in the area you wish to be known.
It gives you the opportunity to be able to say what you normally could not put on a paper CV. So if you are a Chef wanting to show images of your creations, an architect with drawings, a model with photos this part of the CV will be very valuable to you.
If you wish to submit CV information, please click here.