Curriculum Vitae Course of Life Looking at how to write a good CV

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 and knowledge #1- What are Employers looking for?  an organised approach  good communication skills  the ability to work well as part of a team  computer literacy and good typing skills  a good level of English spelling and grammar  accuracy and attention to detail  good concentration skills  the ability to use your own initiative but also know when matters need to be referred to a supervisor.

Skills and knowledge #2  excellent spoken and written communication skills  knowledge of relevant legislation and quality control standards  good organisational skills and a methodical approach to work  the ability to prioritise workloads and meet project deadlines  the ability to pay close attention to detail  good team working skills.

Skills and knowledge #3 Transferable skills Transferable skills are those that are gained in one context and can be used in another (at work or elsewhere). Example:  Communication skills  Interpersonal Skills  ICT  Problem solving skills

Example CV layout This example layout of a CV is in your booklet for your reference. You will need to follow this carefully when you plan out your own CV

Write it in one clear type face in a maximum of 2 colours and maximum 2 pages. Wording must be brief and concise. Tell the truth and choose words that highlight the importance of things you have done. BE POSITIVE Don’t use wording that isn’t “You” Do not include – photo’s, any sort of failure, every single part time or holiday job you have ever had, reasons for leaving jobs and salary information. Do not decorate it with patterns and decorative borders and do not put it in a binder or folder as these will often be thrown away before it is scanned or copied. CHECK that you have an “appropriate” address – the funny one you have had for ages might not look professional? Always SPELLCHECK your CV and get someone else to read it to spot any errors. Hints and Tips

Hints and tips cont.  Ensure that you give the full address and post code for schools and employers and the correct titles for individuals.   If you are responding to an advert you can alter your CV to fit so that the most relevant things stand out. You should be able to “read” into an advert or “Person Specification” for a job and identify what that employer is looking for.   Think about the qualities that an employer might be looking for?  Consider how you could introduce your ability to communicate, work as part of a team, use your initiative, show willingness to learn, cope under pressure, be enthusiastic, organised and committed?  Do you have experience of customer care, can you show flexibility?  Employers also look for evidence of self-motivation, reliability, attention to detail, common sense, presentable appearance, good timekeeping, literacy and numeracy.

Now it is your go…  Over the rest of this week, you will draft a CV of your own. There is a completed example in your booklet.  There are 4 headings to complete. They are:-  PERSONAL DETAILS  EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS  CAREER AND EXPERIENCE  OTHER SKILLS AND INTERESTS  Divide your time as follows:-  Day 2 – Read the booklet carefully. Complete the ‘Personal Details’ and ‘Education and Qualifications’ sections  Day 3 – Complete ‘Career and Experience’ section  Day 4 – Complete ‘Other Skills and Interests’ section  The following slides will help you with this

Hints and Tips… 1. Check your address – 2. Check spelling and grammar! – 70% of CV’s are rejected due to spelling mistakes! 3. Make sure you have the correct telephone number! 4. Don’t lie. 5. Tailor your CV to suit the job you are applying for.

Action verbs  Please find below lists of action verbs you can use when writing CVs, covering letters and application forms. The bold words are especially good for pointing out accomplishments  Management Skills  Administered, analysed, assigned, attained, chaired, consolidated, contracted, coordinated, delegated, developed, directed, evaluated, executed, improved, increased, organized, oversaw, planned, prioritised, produced, recommended, reviewed, scheduled, strengthened, supervised  Communication Skills  Addressed, arbitrated, arranged, authored, collaborated, convinced, corresponded, developed, directed, drafted, edited, enlisted, formulated, influenced, interpreted, lectured, mediated, moderated, negotiated, persuaded, promoted, publicized, reconciled, recruited, spoke, translated  Research Skills  Clarified, collected, critiqued, diagnosed, evaluated, examined, extracted, identified, inspected, interpreted, interviewed, investigated, organized, reviewed, summarized, surveyed, systematized  Technical Skills  Assembled, built, calculated, computed, designed, devised, engineered, fabricated, maintained, operated, overhauled, programmed, remodelled, repaired, solved, upgraded

Action verbs 2  Teaching Skills  Adapted, advised, clarified, coached, communicated, coordinated, demystified, developed, enabled, encouraged, evaluated, explained, facilitated, guided, informed, instructed, persuaded, set goals, stimulated, trained  Financial Skills  Administered, allocated, analysed, appraised, audited, balanced, budgeted, calculated, computed, developed, forecasted, managed, marketed, planned, projected, researched  Creative Skills  Acted, conceptualised, created, customized, designed, developed, directed, established, fashioned, founded, illustrated, initiated, instituted, integrated, introduced, invented, originated, performed, planned, revitalized, shaped  Helping Skill  Assessed, assisted, clarified, coached, counselled, demonstrated, diagnosed, educated, expedited, facilitated, familiarized, guided, motivated, referred, rehabilitated, represented  Clerical or Detail Skills  Approved, arranged, catalogued, classified, collected, compiled, dispatched, executed, generated, implemented, inspected, monitored, operated, organized, prepared, processed, purchased, recorded, retrieved, screened, specified, systematized, tabulated, validated  More Verbs for Accomplishments  Achieved, expanded, improved, pioneered, reduced (losses), resolved (problems), restored, spearheaded, transformed

Communication Skills Examples Have you ever: Filled in forms correctly? Used correct spellings and punctuation in pieces of work? Read information and used it in a piece of written work? Made a telephone call to request information? Persuaded others to a point of view in a discussion? Achieved or been predicted to achieve a C+ in English? Team Working Skills Examples Have you ever? Regularly played team games? Planned an activity or outing with a group of other people? Worked together in a team to prepare a project or made something with other people? Career Plan Examples Have you ever: Spent time in the careers library finding out which jobs interest you? Had a careers guidance interview and identified on a careers action plan the jobs which suit you? Completed work experience shadowing in a ‘job interest’ area? Done part time work? Numeracy Examples Have you ever: Used calculations or measurements to make something? Used calculations and weights for cooking? Used a calculator for more difficult maths? Applied maths to other subjects e.g. physics Achieved or been predicted to achieve a C+ in GCSE maths? Willingness to Learn Examples Have you ever: Had an interest or hobby eg learnt to swim or learnt how to use the internet on a home/friends computer? Recorded on a career action plan an application form that you are interested in training? Achieved a good mark in a subject which interests you – this could be practical or subject based. Self Presentation Examples Have you ever: Turned up for work experience or a part time job with a neat and clean appearance wearing the right clothes for the job? Attended an interview in the ‘right’ clothes with a neat and tidy apperance?

Practical Skills and Examples Have you ever: Made a product from wood/metal/textiles/card? Done any gardening? Cooked a meal? Made an item of ‘flat packed’ furniture? Helped to repair a vehicle or replaced a tyre or vehicle part Flexibility Examples Have you ever: Done work experience or a part time job in a company and demonstrated your willingness to do difficult tasks at work? Put on your career plan a willingness to have a back-up job plan if needed? Written on an application form a willingness to work the hours expected by the job? Reliability Examples Have you ever: Had a good attendance/punctuality record? Been asked to help organise anything- for example: A junior football club? Helping a younger student to read? Organising/taking part in a performance/exercise because you are dependable and will turn up? Physical Fitness Examples Have you ever: Kept up your own fitness by participating in sport/keep fit etc? Played individual/team sports at a competitive level? Regularly attended a gym/body building/aerobics class etc? Computing Skills Examples Have you ever: Used a computer to get information for yourself? Used a word processing programme to type up and present a piece of work? Developed a high level of knowledge or specific operating systems e.g. windows 95/98 or packages e.g. word for windows/lotus and used a spreadsheet to present information? Problem Solving Examples Have you ever: Made a plan to work out how to approach a difficult piece of work? Worked in a group to plan a difficult activity? Dealt with a difficult situation or customer on work experience or in a part time job? Worked out different solutions to a difficult problem?

Good luck with writing your CV Thank you for your time.