CV’sThe Good, the Bad and the Ugly!

Birmingham Ormiston Academy

What is the purpose of a CV?

To allow an employer to gain an insight into who you are: your achievements, skills, qualifications and work history to date.

To establish if you will be of benefit to the company and to the role which you applying for.

What is the purpose of a CV?

To allow an employer to gain an insight into who you are: your achievements, skills, qualifications and work history to date.

To establish if you will be of benefit to the company and to the role which you applying for.

What is the purpose of a CV?

To allow an employer to gain an insight into who you are: your achievements, skills, qualifications and work history to date.

To establish if you will be of benefit to the company and to the role which you applying for.

What is the purpose of a CV?

To allow an employer to gain an insight into who you are: your achievements, skills, qualifications and work history to date.

To establish if you will be of benefit to the company and to the role which you applying for.

What is the difference between a CV and an application form?

An application form and a CV share similar information.

An application form will ask for specific information you would not include on a CV; Equal opportunities data Criminal convictions Medical history

A CV is NOT a legal document! An application form is!

So, where to begin?

You will need to gather together a lot of information before starting to construct your CV.

A CV should include the following sections;

Name, Address, Email address and Phone number

Personal Profile Key Skills Work Experience Education / Training Personal Details / Interests References Available

It’s not a biography!

don’t witter on all day

Industry specific CV’s

Many of you will already have a CV. How many of your CV’s are fit for purpose?

It is not uncommon for people to have three or four very different CV’s.

You have to be careful when placing too much emphasis on the arts if you are applying for a job outside that sector.

Industry specific CV’s

Emphasise the relevant skills that your achievements and experience have taught you.

THINK – how would they be transferrable?

Personal Profile

The profile needs to communicate clearly and effectively to the employer.

Use descriptive terminology. It must briefly summarise the rest of your CV;

What you want to do? Why you want to do it? Why you are suitable?

“I am keen to establish a career utilising my retail and customer service skills. I can accurately follow instructions, work effectively as a team member and on my own initiative. In addition, I am flexible, reliable and can cope with working in a busy, high pressure environment. Currently seeking an opportunity to gain further experience and develop my skills by working for a retail establishment that will enhance my potential.”

Emphasise the positives!

Key Skills

Key Skills should be suitable for the job sector. Some skills overlap whereas some are more

specific. Within your work/education history you can

show how your have acquired these skills

RETAILFriendly and approachable with good interpersonal skills.

CUSTOMER SERVICESGood communication skills both customer facing or via telephone

CATERINGAbility to remain calm in a hectic and busy environment

Work Experience

Some of you might think you have little or no work experience. That is very rarely the case. You can include voluntary work, school work experience. All work history MUST be included with all the relevant DATES. Organise them chronologically, the most recent first. Highlight your responsibilities, duties and job titles. Emphasise the work that has enabled you to acquire the most

transferrable skills

Summer 1996

Education

This is where you really have to sell yourself. This is especially important if creating an Arts

CV. Be selective on where you place your

emphasis.

• BTEC Dance Level 3

• Performances at BOA

• Awards / qualifications within Dance

• “100 metre winner” Year 6 Sports Day

• 3rd in top set English Spelling Bee!

• GCSE German - C

• GCSE History - D

Hobbies & Interests

Don’t go crazy listing all the fun and exciting things you do.

One or two interesting and more importantly, unique, activities will make you stand out.

“I enjoy going out and socialising with friends” or “I have an active social life” usually means one thing…

References

Simply state “References are available on request.”

Do not include contact details or a full reference

The employer will know where you have worked from your employment history.

This is a real CV with the personal details changed.

It was submitted on paper and scanned into a computer.

Page 1Page 2

Here is the completed CV.

Excuse the US spell checker!

Some examples of what colour can do to a CV when used

appropriately

DETAILS REMOVED DETAILS

REMOVED

Summary: The Do’s

To begin with a brilliant summary that makes people want to read more

Key strengths and skills are immediately obvious Try to maximise the impact and relevance of all

information The design layout – ensure it is reader friendly Careful formatting allows a lot of information to be

included without seeming crowded Qualifications and Training are arranged to show

relevant on-going development You rarely need to explain trivial details of your early

education Your CV needs to be a working document

Summary: The Don’ts

Make it longer than two sides Leave unexplained career gaps Include the following details ;

Insert pictures (unless it is for a modelling or acting position)

• Age • Previous Salary

• Children • Disabilities

• Religion • Nationality

• Marital Status

NO!

Common CV Mistakes

Poor presentation - Overcrowded layout, poor quality photocopy, not divided into easy to read sections

Disorganised and poorly sequenced - Employment details arranged haphazardly with periods of time not accounted for

Too long - Includes irrelevant detail or too much detail  Too general - The personality profile could apply to almost everybody.

Too glossy - Unnecessary use of coloured paper and over-elaborated format

Includes information that might discourage an employer - Age, health, salary, time unemployed, criminal record, etc

Uses jargon, abbreviations, complicated sentences and words

The CV has not been checked for errors in grammar, spelling and typing

Travels alone - Is not accompanied by a letter of application

Remember!

Employers are usually drowning in a sea of paperwork

The last thing they want to do is read 100 boring CV’s.

You need to catch their attention within the first 5-10 seconds.

Make yours stand out from the crowd!