How to write a CV

How long should it be?
• Should be easy to read with space between each section
• No more than two pages long
• It's not necessary to put 'CV' or 'Curriculum Vitae' at the top.

Your full name and address.
• Include contact details such as email address and mobile phone number.
• Ensure the phone number you give has answerphone on it so you don’t miss any opportunities.

Personal Profile
• Outline your skills, qualities and a summary of you experience
• It should only be a few lines and be relevant to the job you are applying for

Key Skills
• List 4 or more relevant key skills you have.

Employment history
• Start with your present or most recent job and work backwards.
• Include the dates, the job title, employer name, and your main duties using bullet points.
• Relevant jobs should be listed in more detail
• Relate your skills and experience to the job description and what the employer is looking for.
• Also include any relevant temporary or voluntary work.
• Avoid unexplained gaps in your employment history

Education and training
• Start with your most recent study and go back to the qualifications you got at school.
• Including the college school or training provider; the dates, qualifications and grades.
• Don’t forget to include any other training courses such as First Aid, if they're relevant.

Hobbies and interests
• This is an optional section – only use it if you have room on your CV and if you have something useful and relevant to out down - it should be relevant in some way to the job
• For example, if you're involved in any clubs or societies this can show that you enjoy meeting new people, working in a team and are able to give regular commitment to activities.

Additional information
• To be used if you need to add anything else that's relevant, such as an explanation for a gap in your employment history for travel, health or family reasons
• When explaining your health / disability be honest but say how you manage it and how it doesn’t affect you at work now.

References
• State that references are available if required - you don't need to include referees' contact details
• Make sure that you have selected your references, checked their contact details and that they are happy to be a reference
• At least one referee should be work-related if possible but you can have a character reference

Presentation
• Print your CV on white A4 paper, using just one style and font – Arial 12 is recommended.
• It should be concise and easy to read – don’t use too much formatting or fancy fonts!
• Check it for spelling and grammar mistakes and get someone else to proof read it

Example CV
Christine Jones
24 Mansfield Drive,
Chedlee
Manchester,
M23 4DJ.
Tel: (0161) 234 1234 chrisj@jackson-eng.com PROFILE:
A self-motivated and hard working Personnel Officer with experience in all aspects of personnel work. Able to use own initiative and work as part of a team. Proven leadership skills, including managing and motivating other staff to achieve company objectives. An effective communicator at all levels within an organisation.

KEY SKILLS:
• Leadership and management
• IT skills
• Problem solving and analytical skills
• Organisational and planning skills

WORK HISTORY:

1989 – Present Personnel Officer Jackson Engineering
Duties / responsibilities include:
• Preparing and placing advertisements in the local and national press.
• Interviewing candidates and checking references.
• Developing effective training programmes in conjunction with other departments in the company
• Managing and maintaining staff personnel records.
• Producing a comprehensive human resources plan for the company's expansion

1983 – 1989 Secretary to Manager Atlas Foods Ltd
Duties / responsibilities include:
• Taking minutes in meetings
• Preparing reports
• Typing letters.

EDUCATION AND