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Writing a C.V. part 1 - What should I include?
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by me
We are often asked what should be put into a CV so this article covers the key areas you should include.
KEY POINT
Remember - the job of a C.V. is to get you to interview. It should say "I am a hard working committed person with the right background and qualifications to do your job."
What is a CV?
The Term "Curriculum Vitae" literally means the "Course of Life", and it is a document that deals with the key information regarding your life so far. As such it should contain the following information.
Personal Details
Your name, gender, date of birth, nationality, address and telephone number.
Education
A summary of your education detailing exam results where appropriate. In other words you should only give as much information as is necessary for the job you are applying for. Employers don`t wish to know that you received a gold star in Mrs. Scroggins class for tidy work when you were 10 years old. Keep it relevant.
You don`t even have to list all of your subjects. The way to decide how much to put in is based upon how much you have to put in. In other words if you are sixteen and leaving school this year, and you have no work experience then your performance at school will be the only way a potential employer can judge you, so put in as much as you can about your subjects, grades, sports captaincies, and any other achievements that show you to be a hard working, committed individual.
On the other hand if you have an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering and two years work experience then your subjects at GCSE are not particularly important. It would be enough to put "8 GCSE passes graded C and above including Maths B and English A."
If you are going to list subjects put Maths and English first followed by everything in reverse grade order. (A at the top.)
Work Experience
This is a key part of the C.V. and if you have a number of years experience, or experience that is particularly relevant then put it above the education section. Employers want and like experience, so if you`ve got it flaunt it. There is a lot more details on this in the article "Writing a C.V. part 2"
Put your work experience in reverse order starting with the latest job. If you have a lot of experience then miss out those summer jobs working on the fruit farm. Also be prepared to combine jobs with phrases such as "Various bar and restaurant jobs during summer and Christmas holidays."
Other Qualifications
This is a section for qualifications that were not part of your education at school and college but are either relevant - such as a diploma from the industry`s controlling body - or display an ability to learn and commit yourself to something - such as life saving and medical certificates or piano grades.
Hobbies and Interests
These show you are a rounded individual. If you have nothing then don`t put "reading" unless you are prepared to discuss Pride and Prejudice, or the relevance of Farenheit 451`s view of the future to our modern world.
References
Usually two reference are normal. If you are applying for a government job then three are often asked for. Increasingly references are taken up after the job has been offered and good references are a condition of continued employment. It is often OK to put the words "references available upon request." This is useful as you do not have to continually warn your referees that they may get a call with every post you apply for.
Summary
If you have a long C.V. then a bullet point summary is a good idea. This is best placed just below the personal details section.
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