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CV writing tips

Before you start

• Think about all the things you have achieved.
• If you are responding to a job advertisement, focus on key words and tasks listed in the advert and relate them to your own skills and experience.
• Your CV should be well structured as this gives the impression that you think logically and makes it easier for an employer to review. Also avoid fancy fonts and colours.
• Watch out for spelling and grammatical errors so, if you need to, get someone else to check it for you. Remember that every word contributes to the overall impression of you.
• Don't use empty adjectives. Almost everyone is creative, dynamic and enthusiastic. Instead focus on your achievements and job specific strengths.
• The temptation is to include too much but this can lead to the important information becoming lost and the reader becoming bored. Your CV is a tool to get you an interview and at that stage you can really show an employer who you are and what you are capable of, so keep it brief, concise and no more than 2 pages if at all possible.

Write a covering letter

A covering letter can act as the introduction to your CV and be used to highlight your key strengths relevant to the job. Include a brief description of the type of work you are looking for e.g. temporary/contract or permanent; full or part time; and the locations in which you are willing to work. If you have studied, try to relate the skills you developed during your academic history to the employers needs.

Covering letters can save you from having to rewrite your CV each time you want to target your application to a specific advertisement or type of job.

The first page

Start with a brief profile of yourself: who you are, your key skills and achievements, and personal attributes. Then include a brief overview of your skills, experience, and any related achievements. Bullet points are good. Then detail your employment history, this should be listed in order of your present or most recent job first.

If you have only worked for one company, break the job down into the different positions you have held or the different projects you have dealt with. For each position describe the work undertaken, duties and responsibilities you have had. Remember to include achievements not just tasks.

This page should also contain your personal details i.e. name, contact details.

Page two

After your employment history, include a summary of your educational and professional qualifications and any other achievements that are relevant.

Finally, give two referees, including their professional title and contact details. At least one of these should be work related, but academic and character referees are also acceptable.

Checklist

• Keep it short
• Include a covering letter
• Think about your achievements
• Check accuracy, spelling and grammar
• Lay out your CV in a logical and well structured manner
• Read the job advert to identify the key words and tasks and include these in your CV

Celebrating 30 years of Margaret Hodge