Curriculum Vitae

When to use a CV… The main reasons for using a CV Applying for advertised job vacancies, where the advert specifies "Send a CV..." Applying ‘speculatively’ to potential employers i.e. when no vacancy has been advertised. You will need a C.V. at some point, especially if you are looking for part time work – getting it right now is worth it.

So what information goes on a CV? Personal Details Overview Educations and qualifications (you’re A-Level and GCSE grades may be the difference between you being offered the job or not) Employment/work experience Achievements Interests and leisure activities Referees

Overview This is an opportunity to highlight your strengths, it should entice your potential employer to want to read more. Use positive, emotive and action words eg achieved, created, delivered, led oragnised, planned presented, responsible for Remember there will probably lots of other CV’s to read – make sure yours doesn’t get overlooked.

Skills You will have lots of skills you can talk about but the best thing to do is prove you have them. If you have good communication skills back it up with a practical example. Look at the skills on the next slide – can you give practical examples for them?

What employers want ? Communication I.T. Awareness Time & Personal Management Team Work Flexibility Financial Awareness Organising/ Co-ordinating Initiative Problem Solving

Work Experience/Part time employment Include any volunteering you do or have done here Explain the job roles and responsibilities you had Don’t undersell yourself – anything where you’ve dealt with people will show communication skills, interpersonal skills and your ability to work with a rang of people. If you’ve nothing to put in here maybe you should think about doing some voluntary work

Education Show your educational history in chronological order – this means most recent (OSFC!) first Include the grades for each subject but think about how it may look – do you want to include low grades? Think about the ones that are most important to the job, usually Maths and English.

Referees Referees are people who will be contacted if you are considered for the job. They will write a supporting application explaining your suitability Pick one academic referee, usually your Personal Tutor and one other which could be an employer, someone from voluntary work or a family friend (not direct family members though!)

Hints and Tips… Check your email address – ilovebiebersomuchiwanttomarryhim@hotmail.com

Hints and Tips Check spelling and grammar! – 70% of CV’s are rejected due to spelling mistakes! Make sure you have the correct telephone number! Don’t lie. Tailor your CV to suit the job you are applying for

Over to you…. You will have time in this lesson to work on your CV Once it’s complete you can use the Careers Team to check it Next time you see a part-time job you're interested in you wont have to waste time doing a CV – you can apply straight away It will also help you understand what your strengths are for your interview in March.