Writing a CV

You may need to produce a CV if you are applying for work experience, graduate jobs or further study after your current course. Remember that employers have to sift through a large number of CVs and most will be rejected at the first hurdle, usually because they don't follow the basic rules. 
Work through our interactive CV and listen to our talks and DVDs which include CVs and covering letters.

Interactive CV | Applications talks and DVDs

Do

• Adapt your CV to the organisation you are writing to and make it relevant to the job you are applying for.
• Think about the skills the employer is asking for. Can you provide evidence from your course, work experience or leisure pursuits that you possess them?
• All sections of the CV are important and should be completed accurately.
• Sell yourself. To do this, describe your key achievements in work, study and other experience, not just your responsibilities. Employers want to know what you can do for them.
• Consider using bullet points along with short sentences and action verbs (a list is available from the right hand menu)
• Check your grammar, spelling and punctuation.
• Keep your CV to two sides and make it look well-presented and inviting to read.
• Keep a copy for future reference.

Don't

• Leave dates unaccounted for. If you do, it leaves the employer guessing.
• Invent information, you could be asked to discuss it in the interview.
• Waffle. Long paragraphs and sentences will take too long to read.
• Make it too short by giving the bare essentials of dates and job titles. Don’t just make a list of skills that you have gained. You need to provide evidence of them using examples from your experience.
• Use fancy typesetting or exotic paper, it will distract from what you are trying to say.

Have a look at the sample CVs, available to download on the right hand menu, but don't just copy one, you need to make your CV presonal so that it stands out from the rest.

Sending an application form or CV is by no means an automatic guarantee of securing an interview - many employers will pre-select quite rigorously and will only interview you if yours is well thought out and effectively presented.

Require more information or advice?

What's On

Come to the presentations and workshops run by the Careers Service which will help you write CVs and applications.

Information Resources - Applications and interviews

Make use of the books and resources on writing CVs held in our Careers Service library.

CV Clinic

Once you have produced a draft of your CV, bring it along to the Careers Service and get it reviewed by a member of staff. You can book up to one week in advance at the Careers Service, Glossop Road, or by phoning us on 0114 2220910.