1. How to create a great CV Ellis Parker

2. The CV What is a CV? What’s it for? Why should I bother? What should I put in it? How can I get employers to read it? I have a CV, what can I do to improve it?

3. The Product Any well-sold product has some sort of brochure or leaflet to get its best points over to the people who might want to buy it.

6. Let’s buy a TV…. Which One???

9. What is a CV? The brochure used in a job search is called a Curriculum Vitae - or CV. We generally refer to this document as a CV although you will sometimes see the word “Resume” used in adverts. A CV has only one purpose: to motivate the recipient to interview you.

10. What is a CV? To do this it must attract and hold the interest of the reader, who may be busy, or bored, or have a pile of similar papers on her desk or emails on his computer. A successful CV will be like a good advertisement; it will evoke a positive emotion in the recipient.

11. What is a CV for? It’s an advert or a brochure – of you It’s a sales document – for you It gets you noticed amongst the other applicants It tells potential employers what sort of person you are It can also tell them employers what you can do for them

12. Why should I bother? Source: http://nmweb.dur.ac.uk, Accessed: 01/12/11 Although lower than the region’s average, those seeking jobs in South Holland has increased a lot since 2008 (800 – 1500)

13. What should I put in it? Things that will get you noticed for the job Information in your CV will be: Accurate and true Interesting to the reader Relevant to the job you apply for

14. What should I put in it?

15. How can I get employers to read it?

17. Think back to the Google or the A4e websites Make the beginning interesting and easy to read (first screen thinking) Draw the reader in with fascinating facts about yourself and how it relates to the job Use good language (see Useful words handout) and check for errors

18. CV Checklist It SHOULD Be attention getting. Make the reader want to read on Be clear about what the ‘product’ can do Show off strengths and good points Be nicely laid out and easy to read Be honest and give the facts Be business-like and accessible Be produced on white, good quality paper It should NOT Leave the reader in doubt about which jobs you have had and why Leave out simple facts - e.g. name, address, qualifications or age Leave out years between dates of working or study Puzzle the reader with names or jargon Make the reader look hard for information Give reasons for leaving Give names of referees Incorporate a photo

19. I have a CV, what can I do to improve it? Ask someone you don’t know very well to look at it and ask for feedback.... is it: Interesting from an employer’s perspective? Relevant to the jobs they look for? Believable? Easy to read and laid out well? Free from mistakes? WILL IT STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD?