A great CV helps you stand out from the crowd. Remember that your CV may be one of hundreds received. Think about your CV as a short biography of yourself, a chance to sell yourself and interest the reader in you. Make them want you!

CV basics

• Keep your CV to 2 pages max- don’t be tempted to go longer.
• Make sure grammar and spelling are correct – get someone else to read it before you send it.
• Highlight your achievements and strengths – not just a description of what you do in your job or studies.

Personal statement

 This should be no more than a few lines describing yourself, your skills and key achievements.

• Who are you?
• What can you offer to the employer?
• What do you want to achieve in your career?

For some examples of personal statements check out:
http://www.lighthouseproject.org.uk/activities/employment/cv-tips-and-templates/cv-personal-profile-examples/

Employment and work experience

• Paid or non-paid jobs
• Volunteering
• Work experience

Highlight what you have achieved in these areas. Don’t just list what you do in your job. This is a chance to show off what you are good at! Examples could be employee of the month and receiving good customer feedback.

Skills and achievements

• If you don’t have any work experience yet and haven’t had a job then you can leave the employment section out and focus on this part. This is where you should:
• Match your skills with the skills the job is asking for. So for example, if a job asks for you to show planning and organising you could talk about how you planned a recent coursework project.
• Show if you can use particular computer software or programmes, have a particular talent or skills that fit the job!
• Talk about any key achievements, such as awards for projects, talents, performances, being on the school council, prom committee, sports teams etc.

Education

Education should be included from GCSE level onwards, with your most recent qualifications first, so A levels or BTEC then GCSEs.

Hobbies and interests

Here you can outline any hobbies you have and show how you like to spend your time outside of studying. Be interesting and different. If you don’t have a particular hobby or interest that you can talk about comfortably it is never too late to start something. Do include hobbies and interests that are relevant to the job. If you’re involved in any clubs or societies, this can show that you enjoy meeting new people. Interests like sports and physical recreation activities can also show employers that you are fit and healthy.

References

Unless the job application specifically asks for references to be included you can write that references are available on request. People such as close family friends, teachers and career counsellors are good to use as referees.

Personal details

This is where you put your home address, mobile number and email address.

If you need a hand with how to lay out your CV, Download our CV template