CV WRITING The Student Guide What is a

CV WRITING The Student Guide…

What is a CV? Curriculum Vitae Course of Life

It is not ‘one size fits all’, you need to tailor your CV to each position you apply for. � Research the company. � Do they have a mission statement or core values? � What will they be looking for in you? � Who works there at the moment? � What are they passionate about? �

When to use a CV… Two 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.

Important things to think about… Yourself � Skills � Knowledge � Experience � Attributes The Job � Requirements � Position � Company

What skills are in demand? Communication � I. T. Awareness � Time & Personal Management � Team Work � Supervising � Flexibility � Commercial Awareness � Financial Awareness � Organising/ Co-ordinating � Initiative � Problem Solving � Promoting / Influencing �

� � � • Skills based Focus on the work related skills, interpersonal, key transferable, practical SKILLS Attention to detail – as a veterinary nurse, I make sure I checked the record chart for the animal in my care before giving any medication, to double check the dose and to make sure I was giving the correct medication to the correct animal • Computer skills – I am a competent user of Microsoft Office, which I proved throughout my time as a Retail Assistant at Pets at Home, where I was often required to produce reports on our sales • Customer service – in all of my roles, customer service has been of key importance. I have experience of dealing with difficult customers, and try to ensure that every customer is satisfied with the service they have received.

So what information goes on a CV? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Personal Details Career Aims or personal profile Educations and qualifications Employment/work experience Work based skills and achievements Interests and leisure activities Referees

Your CV… What skills do YOU have? � Write down as many skills as you can and how/why you gained them. � Feel free to chat with your friends about what you came up with…. . they may recognise that they have those skills too!!! �

Hints and Tips… 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Check your email address – ilovemcflysomuchiwanttomarrythem@hotmail. com 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.

Hints and Tips - Chronological Order � Chronological � In date order (starting with the most recent first) e. g. � � � EMPLOYMENT April – December 2013: Venture – Editing Assistant Working with Photoshop, I have learnt various editing styles. I have gained customer service experience and understand the importance of listening to what customers want in order to achieve high sales. February 20010 – March 2013: Topshop – Retail Assistant My interest in fashion enabled me to help customers and to suggest styles that might suit them. I helped to design the layout of the stock in the store, with an aim to increase our revenue by positioning various items in ‘eye-catching’ places.

Hints & Tips - Education � � Education and Qualifications 2011 – Present University of Kent BA (Hons) Fine Art Modules include: Contextual Studies, Creative Investigations Project: Communication and Critique � � 2009 – 2011 Maidstone Grammar School A-levels: Media Studies (A), Art (B), Information Technology (C) 2005 – 2009 Wrotham School GCSEs: 8 GCSEs including English and Maths � � �

Hints and Tips

Hints and Tips – action verbs � created instructed analyzed produced � � administered controlled reviewed � � � negotiated designed calculated maintained consolidated delivered founded increased studied invented supplied detected programmed recommended distributed � developed solved prepared installed

TASK Start to produce your CV. � For guidance, there is a template on Moodle �