writing your CV

Your CV is designed to do one thing and one thing only: to get you an interview. The average recruiter will only spend 30 seconds glancing at your CV which means you need to make an impression quickly and sell yourself.

personal statement

Your personal statement is your first opportunity to sell yourself. It is perhaps the single most important part of your CV. Get it wrong and your chances of being invited to interview are drastically reduced.

Its aim is to highlight your professional attributes and goals, emphasising why they should continue reading the rest of your CV. Use no more than 50 words, making each sentence a key selling point. Avoid using phrases and key words that would be considered clichéd for example “looking for a new challenging opportunity”. Employers want to know what you are able to do for them. This will be clear from the job description.

A list of unquantifiable skills such as 'team player' or 'good communicator' don't tell the reader anything about why you are the right person for the job. Link these to a tangible skill wherever possible such as “Use my excellent communication skills to attract and retain high calibre candidates.”

what to include in your CV

personal details

Name, home address, phone numbers, email address.

work history

List your most recent employer first, give the name of your employer, job title and dates employed, your responsibilities and your achievements in that position.

education

Give places, dates, course titles and grades.

further training

Any relevant training courses for the role you are applying for.

interests

Employers will be particularly interested in activities where you can demonstrate leadership and responsibility, or which involve you in relating to others in a team.

skills

Detail your ability in other languages, computing experience, or possession of a driving licence.

references

Always include at least two employer referees (current employer where possible)

Always proof read your CV and get a friend or colleague to proof read it for you.

Further individual tailored advice is available on request.

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