Applying for jobs
There is no such thing as a ‘perfect CV’, there are many different ways to write them and depending on your background and skills it needs to be tailored to you. We have put together some tips for you to get started.
CV format
The presentation is important and can be achieved in a variety of ways. Presentation includes: headings, sub-headings, font type (usually Arial or Times New Roman — something clear to read), size of text (usually 12 for the body), bullet points and indentation, shading, length (normally no more than two sides of A4), boxes and lines. Make sure you choose a format and stick to it throughout. It should be written in the third person (i.e. not using “I”).
The structure
The best CVs are always clear and to the point, therefore try to keep your CV to two pages, three at the most. The most common structure for a CV is the reverse chronological CV (most recent first), which has your educational achievements first and then any work experience second.
Content
Career aim
This is a summary of the type of person you are, where you are now, what you have to offer and where you want to go in terms of a career. This should be positive and upbeat and always at the beginning of your CV. You could put this in an italic format to make it stand out. Again, make sure it is written in the third person.
Skills
If you don’t have a lot of experience you can put this section in to highlight your skills, you can also change them depending on the job you are applying for. For example; communication skills, IT, organisation. Use these as headings and then write a snappy sentence and try to use academic examples or work experience.
Education/Qualifications
This is in reverse chronological order meaning the most recent first. Start with your higher education. Depending on the space make sure you state the course you are on and maybe include a small sentence explaining the course. Next, include your further education (A levels, AVCEs or equivalent), and lastly secondary education. Include the grades if they are recent or you are proud of them. It is your choice whether you list all your GCSEs it is perfectly acceptable to state how many you achieved A-C grade in. Make sure you state the institution and the country along with the dates.
Additional or professional qualifications
This section is for people who have qualifications that are not necessarily academic e.g. Health and Safety or ECDL (European Computers Driving Licence). Use bullet points to highlight these, add the dates achieved and again the most recent first.
Work history/employment history
This is the section where you add any work experience that you have had. All experience is important whether it is paid, unpaid, voluntary, part-time or temporary. It is through these experiences that you develop transferable skills. Give the job title, the employer name and brief contact details. Describe the main duties and use bullet points to highlight them. Mention any additional duties that you have undertaken or any one off projects or anything to make you stand out. Mention anything you have done that is innovative or showed a strong degree of responsibility.
Personal achievements
You can use this section to highlight any personal achievements you are particularly proud of. Use examples that are not used anywhere else in your CV. They can be academic, work related, voluntary or social.
Extra-curricular activities
This is your opportunity to show what a ‘well rounded’ individual you are. Do not write a list but provide a short paragraph, or use bullet points, and describe your interests and activities.
Referees
If you have space you can add the full name, address, telephone number/fax and email of your referees. If you are a student or a very recent graduate, you would normally include one academic referee and one employer or personal referee (not a member of your family). If you do not have room to add the referees’ details, you can add a single sentence: References available upon request.
Writing a good covering letter
All CVs and application forms should be accompanied by a covering letter. The covering letter has a number of purposes: Making sure your letter reaches the right person, dealing with administrative matters such as your availability for interview, drawing attention to particular strengths you have as a candidate and giving a polite and positive introduction about yourself.
Content
The content and length of a covering letter will vary. On the one hand a letter accompanying a well designed and comprehensive application form may be brief and written purely as a courtesy to send with the application form; however a covering letter accompanying a CV can draw together some of the main facts included in your CV and persuade the employer that you have the skills they require.
General rules
Some general rules apply to all covering letters, handwritten or word processed? The choice is really up to you unless an employer has specified a preference. A hand written letter may be more personal but often a word processed one can look more professional, especially if your hand writing is untidy.
Layout
There is no one way to set out a covering letter but it may include some of the following points: Address the letter in an appropriate manner; if you do write to a named person, then you must end the letter with ‘yours sincerely’. If you begin ‘dear Sir/Madam’, then end with ‘yours faithfully’. State the position for which you are applying for, including where and when the vacancy was advertised. Tell them why you are keen to apply for that post/company/organisation. Draw together relevant skills and qualities which you feel that the company is looking for and how you gained these.
You will notice that to apply for certain jobs you complete an application form rather than submitting your CV, for example, applying for jobs in the Students’ Union. Many employers are very strict and say that the information contained in a CV will not be considered. NEVER send in an application half filled in with an attached CV, as your CV will not be counted.
TOP TIP: Do what you are asked!
Permanent
Before you start completing the application form think about the job you are applying for and the various tasks it involves. It may be that the employer has provided a Person Specification and a Job Description, make sure you read and study this.
Compile a list of skills and key areas that are needed for the job. Think about yourself and those areas of your experience – education, work, and social life where you have demonstrated the use of these required skills.
Completing the forms
First of all find out how they want you to complete the form. Is there a specified colour/type of pen? Should you use BLOCK CAPITAL letters? Make sure that your writing is clear and legible.
Personal details
This section should be straight forward. Include all your contact details so that the employer can contact you.
Education
Education should be completed with the most recent first, unless otherwise stipulated. If you don’t have enough room you can either state the number of GCSEs and the grades achieved or the ones with the best grades or the most relevant to the job. But make sure you include English and Maths and again, do what they say.
Employment/Work experience
Normally you will be asked to list your previous employment along with your duties. You may also be asked to provide a reason for leaving.
If applying for a part time job make sure you include all your previous jobs as it shows you have previous experience.
Whatever the job, turn the experience to your advantage. Emphasise the skills you have developed which match those needed for the job. Don’t ignore menial low skilled jobs, skills can be developed from all work and it also shows you have motivation and perseverance.
Personal interests and achievements
Many people struggle with what to write in this section. Think about what your interests are, are you sporty? Do you read in your spare time? Also, how much involvement do you have in your interests, are you captain of a team etc? Employers like to see candidates who have energy and enthusiasm and hobbies can be an indication of this.
Information supporting your application
You might be asked to write a statement supporting your application and you may be faced with a whole blank page. At this stage DON’T PANIC.
Either compile a list of the skills that are needed for the job or if the employer has provided a Person Specification and a Job Description, you should look at each skill that is required from the Person Specification and/or Job Description and demonstrate where you have used those skills in those areas of your experience – education, work, and social life.
This is your opportunity to say what you want and to sell yourself to the employer.
Structure your paragraphs and answers well. The simplest structure is often the best. Make sure you follow a logical path and that it is easy to read.
TOP TIP: Sell yourself and be positive.
Specific skills
Again most people struggle to know what is meant by specific skills, here are some examples:
Do you speak any languages? What computer packages can you use? Do you have any artistic skills, graphic design?
Again make sure you write something don’t leave any gaps.
References
You will be asked to provide the name and contact details of two referees. Commonly you will be asked to provide your most recent employer and a personal reference. Referees CANNOT be family or friends - a good referee would be a tutor.
Final check
Always make sure you or a friend read over your application form. Have you filled in as much as you can, have you left any gaps? Have you checked your spelling and punctuation? Have you signed and dated the form? Have you used the correct coloured ink?
