CV Advice

CV (curriculum vitae) is a short list of facts about you and your work history, skills and experience. A good CV is essential when looking for work and it is worth spending time getting it right so it sells you to an employer.

Your CV should:

• be neat, typed if possible and to the best standard you can achieve in content and layout
• be short, two sides of a sheet of A4 paper is normally enough
• be positive, it should emphasise your achievements, strengths, successes and how you have contributed to your employers making a profit (add figures to support facts whenever you can and use positive action words, for example: ‘consulting’, ‘negotiating’, ‘managing’ and so on)
• make a good impression, this means presenting the facts about yourself in a clear and positive way

Using your CV to good effect:

• Apply to companies to see if they have any vacancies.
• You can send your CV with a covering letter or email asking if they have any current or future vacancies in your trade. You can find names and addresses of companies in newspapers or in trade or telephone directories.
• To remind you what you've done
• You can use your CV to help you remember all the dates and information each time you have to fill in a different application form.
• To help with applications by phone
• Having your CV handy when applying for jobs by phone can help if you are asked to give more information about previous jobs. If you use textphone or Typetalk, having a copy of your CV can cut down the time you spend making a call.

Using your CV at interviews

• Having your CV with you while you're waiting to be called in can help you refresh your memory. It is also handy to leave a copy with the interviewer if they do not already have one.
• Registering with recruitment agencies
• Agencies may sometimes ask to see your CV before you can register with them.