How to create a great CV

Ellis Parker

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?

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.

Let’s buy a TV…. Which One???

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.

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.

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

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)

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

What should I put in it?

How can I get employers to read it?

How can I get employers to read it?

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

CV ChecklistIt 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

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?