Writing a CV

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 on the right, but don't just copy one, you need to make your CV personal 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.

What's On

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

CV Clinic

Once you have produced a draft of your CV, bring a paper copy along to the Careers Service and get it reviewed by a member of staff. Depending on the time of year we can offer pre-booked and / or book on the day appointments. To book visit us at 388 Glossop Road or call us on 0114 2220910.

Email Enquiry Service

If you are a graduate or your personal circumstances make it difficult to visit the Careers Service, you can use our Email Enquiry Service. If attaching documents such as a CV or personal statement, please save in Word 97-2003 format.