A careers network guide for staff to cvs

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A Careers Network guide for staff, to . . .

Creating a CV

Staffordshire University Careers Network March 2016

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CVs: advertising your value

Your CV and covering letter is your chance to show an employer the best of what you've got. It's about selling your skills and experience, and showing them you're the right person for the job.

How you write your CV and covering letter is up to you, but there are some basic rules to follow if you want to create the best impression. And don't be worried if

this is your first CV ‐ with our help you'll soon have a professional CV and covering letter that are ready to be sent out and get you interviews.

CV advice section by section

Follow the guidelines below to make sure

you've included all the important information an employer may need.

Your personal details

You should include your name, address

and contact details.

You don’t need to include your age,

marital status and nationality. Recruiters should be able to make a decision about your skills and abilities without this information.

If you’re adding your email address to your contact details make sure that it

sounds professional and creates the right impression. You may also want to add a link to a professional social media website like LinkedIn. If you do, check that the website shows you in a positive light and

doesn’t contain anything you wouldn’t want an employer to see.

Your personal profile

Your personal profile is a mini‐advert for you and should summarise your:

skills and qualities

work background and achievements

career aims. It should only be a few lines and must

grab the reader's attention. Try to avoid over‐used terms, such as 'reliable', 'hard working', 'team player', 'good communication skills' etc. These general terms are heard very often and they don't

help an employer to build up a picture of you.

For example, if the job involves working with people, try to highlight relevant, specific people skills such as: negotiating, effectively dealing with demanding customers, presentation skills, handling

conflict, or showing empathy.

These help the reader build up more of a

picture of your skills, knowledge and experience. Be brief ‐ you can go into more detail and highlight examples of your skills in later sections.

When you're summarising your career aims, think about the employer you are

sending the CV to. It will hit home with employers if your career aims sound exactly like the kind of opportunities they currently have.

Employment history and work experience

In this section you should start with your present or most recent job and work backwards. You should include employer, the dates you worked for them, job title

and your main duties. Provide more detail on the relevant jobs you've had and give examples of the skills you used and what you achieved.


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Use bullet pointed lists and positive

language. Try thinking of ‘action’ words that you can use to describe what you did in your job, like achieved, designed, established, supervised, co‐ordinated, created or transformed.

Try to relate your skills and experience to the job description, person specification

or what you think the employer is looking for, if you're sending your CV on spec. Also include any relevant temporary work and volunteering experience.

Avoid unexplained gaps in your employment history. If you had time out

job seeking, volunteering or caring for a relative, include this along with details of what you've learned and skills you’ve gained.

Education and training

Start with your most recent qualifications and work back to the ones you got at school.

Using bullet points or a table include:

the university, college or school you went to

the dates the qualifications were awarded and any grades

any work‐related courses, if they're relevant.

Interests and achievements

You can include hobbies, interests and achievements that are relevant to the job.

For example, 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.

Try to avoid only putting activities that

you would do alone like reading, bird‐watching or playing video games, unless they relate directly to the job that you are applying for. They may leave employers wondering how sociable you are. Make

your activities specific and interesting!

Additional information

You can include this section if you need to

add anything else that's relevant.

Such as explaining that a gap in your

employment history was due to illness or family reasons. You could also include other relevant skills here, such as if you have a driving licence or can speak any foreign languages.

References

At least one referee should be work‐related.

You can list your referees on your CV or just put 'references available on request'.

If you decide to include their details you should state the relationship of each referee to you – for example 'John Turner, line manager'.

Don’t forget to contact your referees in advance to let them know what you are applying for and when.

CV FAQs

Your CV is such an important document

it's worth taking the time to get it right. When you start writing your CV all sorts of questions can come to mind, as you try to make it the best it can be. Here we answer some of the most common

questions about CVs.


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How long should my CV be?

Your CV should be no more than two pages long and have line spaces between

each section.

Two pages might not seem like a lot of space to fit everything into but you can free up space by being brief on less important details, such as jobs you held a long time ago. You can even leave some

things out entirely ‐ for example, you don't need to put 'CV' or 'Curriculum Vitae' at the top.

How should I present my CV?

Print your CV on white A4 paper.

Try to use a consistent font all the way

through, with bold and bigger font sizes to bring out headings. The layout should be as simple as possible and make use of white space, rather than lines or graphics, to separate sections.

Use the best quality paper you can find –

first impressions count! Although some people like to include photos on their CVs, it’s only essential for jobs such as modelling or acting.

What kind of writing style should I use?

It should be concise and easy to read.

The words you use can make a big difference to how you come across and whether an employer reads your CV. Try to make your words punchy and 'active', especially when describing what you

achieved in previous jobs. You could try using powerful words like managed, led and achieved.

Check your final CV for spelling and grammar mistakes. You can use a computer spelling and grammar check but

it's also a good idea to get it checked by somebody else.

Do I need different CVs for different jobs?

Your CV should be tailored for the job you're applying for, matching your skills

and experience to the requirements of the job.

If you're replying to a job advert, look at the person specification and make sure these skills are mentioned in your CV.

If you're applying on spec, think about what the job will involve and what the employer might be looking for. Take some

time to find out about the main activities of the employer.

Doesn't everyone stretch the truth a bit

on their CV?

There's a difference between selling yourself and inventing things!

Selling yourself is putting your skills and experience in the best light. Never be tempted to invent qualifications or previous jobs. You might be asked for

more information about them at the interview stage.

CV formats

The answer to the question 'which format should I use?' is the format that suits your aims and shows you in the best light.

Different CV formats contain mainly the same information but worded in a different way, in different sections and in

a different order. These might seem like small changes to make to your CV, but when employers have hundreds to sift through, every little improvement helps.

You can use different CV formats to:

draw attention to your strengths

target a specific job


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get across your career aims – to change career or get promotion, for example.

Bear in mind that in all CV formats the personal details, personal profile and qualifications sections remain the same. It's your work history and achievements

that change in each format.

Read our guides to the different types of

CV format.

What is a performance CV format?

A performance CV is the most popular type of CV. See an example at the back of this document. It highlights job titles and company names, starting with your most recent job and working backwards.

However, you begin with an 'Achievements' section, which highlights impressive achievements that can make you stand out from other candidates. Under each job title you list your

responsibilities in the role.

What are the pros and cons?

You might like to use a performance CV if:

you want to highlight your career progression

your present or last employer is well‐known by the company you're applying to

you want to stay in the same line of work

Is it suitable for me?

This style of CV might not be suitable for you if:

you've got gaps in your work history

you want to change your type of job

the relevant experience you’re trying to emphasise was some time ago – it might not stand out

you've worked in lots of different jobs and you want your CV to look more focused

What is a functional CV format?

A functional CV is a skills‐based CV format. See an example at the back of this document. These formats can be useful if you’re looking for a career change. This is

because they focus on your transferable skills and experience, rather than job titles, companies, and how long ago you got the experience.

In a functional CV you promote your skills and achievements in three to six 'functional headings'. For example, if

you're applying for work in a retail role then headings could include 'customer service' and 'sales' – both key skills for any retail role.

Functional CVs are similar to targeted CVs, in that they focus on your skills, but on a functional CV you choose the title of the

three to six skill headings. On a targeted CV the headings are always 'abilities' and 'achievements'. Therefore, functional CVs can be effective at highlighting your

unique combination of skills.

What should I include and what should I

leave out?

Under each sub‐heading you include more details about your relevant skills and experience. You might have got this

experience from paid work, voluntary work or education. Any experience that you feel isn't relevant can be left out.


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You might consider using a functional CV if:

you want to change to a broad, new area of work, and show your relevant transferable skills and experience

you've got gaps in your employment history

you've had a lot of jobs and you want to describe the experience you've got as a whole

you want to highlight skills you've gained in previous jobs but that you don't use in your current or most recent job

Drawbacks with functional CVs can include:

it's one of the more unusual formats – some employers might not be familiar with it

if you've worked for well‐known employers or you've had a lot of promotions they will be on the second page, so not as noticeable

setting alarm bells ringing for employers – some may feel a skills‐based CV format is an attempt to hide something (such as gaps in your work history)

What is a targeted CV format?

A targeted CV is a skills‐based CV format. See an example at the back of this document. This format can be useful if you’re looking for a career change. This is

because it focuses on your transferable skills and experience, rather than job titles, companies, and how long ago you got the experience.

It’s called a targeted CV because you use it to aim for a specific type of job. You only include details that are relevant to the job

you’re applying for. These are listed in two

separate sections: abilities and achievements.

A targeted CV is similar to a functional CV, in that it focusses on skills rather than job roles. However, on a targeted CV you use the headings 'abilities' and 'achievements' rather than creating three to six individual

skills headings, as you would on a functional CV. This can help your major strengths and achievements to stand out.

What's the difference between abilities

and achievements?

Abilities are natural or acquired skills or talents. You can provide specific details of

the abilities and examples of when you’ve used them. For example, writing is a skill, but just listing ‘writing skills’ isn’t specific and doesn’t give an employer an indication of when and how you’ve used

these skills.

An achievement is accomplishing something. Don’t confuse responsibilities with achievements – they are different. Achievements are unique to you; responsibilities are what anybody

undertaking that role would do. Achievements can make you stand out from others who may have similar skills and experience.

For example, a responsibility could be:

researching and writing articles for a company newsletter

Whereas, an achievement could be:

devised and implemented the introduction of a company newsletter, improving staff morale and communication throughout the organisation

If your achievements are measurable

(they saved you or the company


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money or time) then try and include

details of this too.


You might like to use a targeted CV format

if you:

want to change career

have had a varied career or lots of jobs and you want to describe the experience you’ve gained as a whole

want to target your CV towards one particular job

have got gaps in your employment history

want to emphasise skills you have gained in previous jobs that you don’t use in your current or most recent job.

Drawbacks with targeted CVs can include:

one of the more unusual formats – some employers might not be familiar with it

if you’ve worked for well‐known employers or you’ve had many promotions they will be on the second page, so not as noticeable

setting alarm bells ringing for employers – some may feel a skills‐based CV format is an attempt to hide something (such as gaps in your work history).

What is an alternative CV format?

An alternative CV uses an original and eye‐catching format or clever wording to show off your creativity. You could consider using this approach if you apply for creative jobs such as a graphic designer or

advertising executive.

It’s impossible to summarise what usually goes into an alternative CV because all of them are original and different. But examples are:

presenting your CV as an advert, maybe if you’re going for a job in advertising

printing your CV on decorative paper, if you’re applying for a job in visual design

presenting your CV details in a story format, if you’re applying for a creative writing job.


You might like to use an alternative CV if:

you're applying for a job needing visual or written creativity and you want to show off your originality

you know the person you're applying to and you're sure they'll respond well to an original approach.

This CV format might not suit you if:

you're applying for a management job

your CV will go to the human resources department and not a person on the creative team

you're applying for a job that's not in the creative industries.

Use your judgement when thinking about using an alternative CV format. If you’re in

any doubt about whether the employer will respond well to this format, it might be wise to play it safe with a ‘normal’ CV.

As with all CVs, the most important thing is you get across the information clearly and prove you can do the job. If a complicated design gets in the way of this

message, it’s probably best to stick to a more traditional format.

If you're a techie wizard...

If you’re applying online and you want to

create an impressive visual effect you could make use of technologies such as Flash animation or video.


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But bear in mind that some employers

might not have the software to view this content. It could also take some users a while to download. You could get around this by also including a plain text version.

See “Show and tell – a creative CV guide”

on the Careers Centre webpages at http://issuu.com/staffsunicareers/docs/showandtell?mode=window&viewMode=doublePage.

Example Performance CV

Julie Jones

32 Any Street, Birmingham, B1 8AB 077915577788 0121 345 67893

[email protected]

Profile

An organised, confident and motivated PA with ten years’ experience. Communicates confidently and effectively at all levels and uses initiative to meet the highest standards. Always striving to go the extra mile in order to achieve the set goal. Seeking new challenges and additional responsibility to progress career.

Achievements

Promoted to the role of PA to the General Manager whilst at Johnson’s Packaging

Completed the Girlguiding UK Adult Leadership scheme to become a Guide Leader

Completed the Birmingham half Marathon, raising £5,000 for charity.

Experience

Birmingham Royal Hospital Medical Secretary 2005-2013

Providing secretarial and administrative support to a consultant and a team of junior doctors

Summarising all incoming correspondence into patients’ medical records

Arranging meetings, managing diary, dealing with appointment requests

Actioning all GP referrals, liaising with other internal and external hospital departments

Audio typing and copy typing of clinic letters and operating lists

Clinical coding of all incoming patient correspondence. Birmingham City Council Secretary 2002-2005

Provided secretarial support to a manager of busy education department

Drafted and typed letters and other documents

Updated records using computer database and spreadsheet software

Administered all incoming and outgoing post

Ensured all filing systems were up to date.

Drawing attention to ten years working as a PA immediately tells the reader Julie has a wealth of experience.

Julie has created an achievements section, which is the special section you include on Performance CVs. You can use this section to highlight impressive achievements in and out of work.

Promotions show you’ve been trusted with additional responsibility.

Achievements from voluntary work are still relevant because they highlight leadership skills.

Job title, company name and dates are all included with responsibilities in bullet points.

Johnson’s Packaging PA/Administrative Assistant 1999-2002

Supervised administrative staff and delegated tasks

Audio typing and copy typing of documents

Managed general manager’s diary

Organised travel arrangements for international travel.

Qualifications

First Aid at work qualification Birmingham College of Further Education 1998

CLAIT Adult Centre 1989

NVQ levels 1-4 in Business and Administration Brunswick County Secondary School 1975 – 1986 & 1975 – 1980

3 O Levels Grade B

CSE English Grade 1

Interests

Girl Guides, Assistant Leader – assisting in the running of a local Girl Guides group. Sports – swimming, running and general keep fit.

References

Available on request.

On Performance CVs the Qualifications section is below the Experience section. This draws more attention to the professional experience she’s gained.

Example Functional CV

Amanda Davies 14 Any Street

Nottingham, NG2 3GD Telephone: 07792 3134567

[email protected]

Profile

Considerable experience in the education sector both as an English teacher and Head of Department. A proven record of supporting, coaching and training staff and students to achieve goals. An effective communicator with good project management and analytical skills.

Leading, Coaching and Mentoring

Leadership qualities and the ability to manage challenging behaviour effectively

Mentoring various members of staff through Initial Teacher Training and their first line management posts; coaching, developing and supporting staff with personal issues and work problems

Providing ongoing pastoral care to students

Decision making regarding teaching methods, design of the school curriculum, departmental budgets and staff recruitment.

Communication

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate subject material to students of mixed abilities and backgrounds

Establishing and maintaining positive relationships with fellow professionals and parents.

Project Management

Designed and implemented a new school intranet site

Initiated pilot project with local Connexions Service, providing help and support with careers guidance and work experience placements for students

Organising and supervising after-school activities including educational visits, sporting events and school productions.

Experience

This style of CV moves the focus away from individual job roles. It highlights transferable skills, which are explained under headings. This makes it clear to potential employers what Amanda could bring to a job.

This section can be used to highlight experience from recent jobs but also less recent jobs that may not be as prominent on a Performance CV.

Amanda can change the section headings for each job, selecting the most appropriate.

2008-2012 Trent Secondary School Head Department

English Teacher

2005-2008 City of Nottingham Secondary School English Teacher 2003-2005 Stonecrest Upper School English Teacher

Training

Coaching in the Workplace Certificate

Various line management training including: setting objectives and conducting appraisals; team leadership; motivating staff; recruitment and selection; assertiveness at work

Sector-related learning and development – equality and diversity; child protection

First aid qualifications

Various IT training courses including Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Internet and email.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree (2:1) – University of Warwick (2003)

3 A Levels – English Language (B), English Literature (B), French (B)

8 GCSEs Grade A to C.

Additional Information

Full, clean driving licence. Language skills – fluent in French, conversational Spanish.

Interests

Sports – taking part in a range of sports and outdoor pursuits including canoeing, rock climbing and diving. Fundraising co-ordinator for local children’s charity.

References


This section still shows details of the job title, company name and dates but it’s less prominent than on a Performance CV.

Example Targeted CV

Adam Bowers 109a Any Road, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, S63 3AB

[email protected] 07787 9159938

Profile

With 20 years’ experience in the construction industry as a labourer, bricklayer and plant operator, combined with practical, hands-on experience in carpentry and electrics. Physically fit with a good head for heights. Precise, accurate and a flexible worker. Currently seeking construction work in the UK or overseas.

Abilities

Assisting various tradespersons such as carpenters, plasterers, electricians and plumbers with site duties

Concreting – layering and smoothing concrete for foundations, floors and beams

Road working – concreting, laying kerbs, paving and re-surfacing

Ground working – marking out and digging shallow trenches for foundations and drains

Dry lining – fixing internal plasterboard or wallboard partitions ready for decorating

Awareness of on-site health and safety, especially when working at heights and carrying loads

Knowledge of small build to large scale construction projects

Confident in driving earth moving bulldozers, dumper trucks and compactors.

Achievements

Selected to travel overseas with a previous employer to work on the construction of a new hospital in France, which at the time was behind schedule, ultimately helping to bring it in within budget and on time

Achieved On-Site Safety Award for commitment to health and safety

Worked voluntarily every weekend for three months to help build a local community centre, taking on-site supervisor responsibilities

This format of CV allows you to choose which abilities and achievements will be appropriate for the job you are applying for. This is different from a format like Performance where you would list all your responsibilities.

Achievements and responsibilities are different. Responsibilities could be undertaken by whoever was doing the job; achievements are unique to you. They can make you stand out from other candidates.

Regularly support local football club with groundwork duties, relaying a new pitch prior to the start of the new football season and assisting with maintenance throughout the year.

Work History 2012 – 2013 General Labourer/Plant Operator Thomas Construction 2011 – 2012 Bricklayer GBH & Sons Builders 2010 – 2011 Various construction roles Smith and Weston In Europe, USA and Africa 2008 – 2010 Bricklayer Barns Homes Ltd 2002 – 2008 Various construction roles Greens Employment Agency 1999 – 2002 Apprentice Electrician Barnetts Electricals 1995 – 1999 Apprentice Joiner Jones and Haywood Qualifications and Training

Construction Skills Certification Card (CSCS) – construction site health and safety certificate after successfully completing the Experienced Worker Practical Assessment (EWPA) (expires 2015)

Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) – in-date licence to drive construction plant machinery (expires 2015)

City & Guilds (6217-08) Basic Construction Skills; Multi-crafts

5 CSEs

Fork lift truck licence

Full UK driving licence. Interests I regularly work out and I am a member of a local gym. I play for my local football team and also enjoy outdoor activities, including fishing and diving. References


The work history section is different from a standard Performance CV as it just includes dates, job title and company name.

Adam started two Apprenticeships when he left school but did not finish them. However, he did gain valuable skills that he has continued to use. He has therefore listed them but has not included a related qualification.

Adam has included expiry dates of his licences so employers will know they are in date.

These interests may not be directly relevant for the work he is applying for but they do highlight his physical fitness (an important factor in such a physical job).


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Need more help?

The National Careers Service website contains a wealth of information to help with career

choice/change. You can, also, contact Careers Advisers directly for one to one guidance.

https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk

https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk

If you need extra help, contact the University Career Networks using one of the methods

below:

Stoke Careers Network Ground Floor, Trent Building, Leek Road Telephone: 01782 294991 Email: [email protected]

Stafford Careers Centre

Beacon Building

Telephone: 01785 353233

Email: [email protected]

View online resources for University staff on eCoach. Login with your University username

and password via the link at www.staffs.ac.uk/careers/ecoach.

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