Group Task – What should a cv look like?

CV Writing Skills
Employability Workshop
Group Task – What should a CV Look like?
In small groups discuss the following questions:

• What are the aims of a CV?
• What does a cv look like?
• What should be included in a CV?
• What should not be included in a CV

Feedback and discuss with the group

CV by Section

• Personal Details
• Personal Profile
• Employment history and work experience
• Education & training
• Interests & achievements
• References

Personal Details

• Name
• Address
• Contact Details

Tip – Make Sure your email address is appropriate

Personal Profile

• Skills & qualities
• Work history & achievements
• Career Aims

Tip – Your CV should be tailored for the job you are applying for, matching your skills and experience to the requirements of the job

Employment History & Work Experience

• Include temporary work and volunteering
• Limited work experience?
• Highlight education and training

Tip – Explain the skills you used in that job role

Education & Training

• Start with your most recent
• Include details of the school you went to
• Include the qualifications that you have achieved, the grade that you attained and the date.

Tip – You can also put the qualifications that you are studying for. You can input your predicted grade and the date expected to achieve it

Interests & Achievements

• Hobbies, interests & achievements relevant to the job. For example, if you are involved in any clubs or societies
• Try to avoid putting in activities such as cooking or reading as these interests are too general.
• Make them specific and interesting

References

• These can be personal or work related
• You can state ‘references available upon request
• Tip – if you do include their details you need to state the relationship of each referee, for example ‘John Smith, Head Teacher’

Challenge
Good CV vs. Bad CV
Can you spot the difference?
In your groups look at the two CV examples. Highlight any mistakes and good practice then feedback to the rest of the group.
Questions
1. How long should my CV be?
No more than 2 pages and have line spaces between each section
2. What kind of writing style should I use?
It should be concise and easy to read
Questions
3. Do I need a different CV for different jobs
Your CV should be tailored for the job that you are applying for, matching your skills and experience to the requirements of the job.

• Does everyone stretch the truth on their CV?

There is a difference between selling yourself and inventing things.

Now have a go
Write a CV
Use the job profile for a Customer Service Assistant role to help you tailor your CV
If you have already written a CV use the job profile to make sure it is tailored to this role

Thank you