How to write a CV

Tuesday 28th February 2023

Author - James

'CV' is short for 'Curriculum Vitae, It should be a brief account of your education, qualifications, and previous employment. This is how you present yourself to the outside world, the world of work. It is a form of personal marketing, so make sure when you write your CV that it shows you in the best light possible.

We receive and review many CVs, the format of a CV is flexible, and many different styles are used but in terms of a basic layout and content, this is what we believe you should be included when creating your CV:

1. Profile
This is simply a few lines about you, who you are, what you hope to achieve, and your goals. The person described in your Personal Profile (you) should sound like the ideal candidate for the job.

2. Key skills
This is an opportunity to add some key skills (also known as 'soft skills' or 'core skills') that are super-relevant to the job you are applying for.

3. Work History
This section is where you can really shine. Set out your previous roles, experience, volunteering, placements or internships. You should list these in reverse chronological order - that is, most recent first. This is because your most recent role and experience are the most important to your prospective employer. Bullet points are the ideal fit here to summarise your key responsibilities and job description. It might also (if applying for a sales role for example) be the ideal place to give some examples of sales targets achieved)

4. Education & Qualifications
Again, these should appear in reverse chronological order, the most recent first. Each item should include:

Institution (School, College, University)
Qualification with Grades/Distinctions etc.
Dates attended/completed

5. Hobbies & Interests
Try and keep this section of your CV interesting, if you use it. Include unusual hobbies, ones that add to your suitability for the role. Try to avoid really common hobbies and interests, such as reading, walking, etc.

Other top tips and formatting advice:
- Keep it brief
- Use headings
- Use a clear font like Arial or Calibri
- Font size, 10-12 should be about right
- Once completed proofread and ensure there are no mistakes, spelling or typo issues!
- Tailoring and keywords - If you're applying for a job you REALLY want, make sure you're drafting your CV specifically for the role, and add relevant keywords.