Constructing a CV

A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a document which gives you a chance to show employer's who you are and what you have to offer. It sells your skills and experience, and showcases why you're the right person for the job. Your CV is your first impression to the employer, so it is essential to get it correct. Your CV should include:

• Your personal details - Name, contact details, address

• A personal profile - A small paragraph describing yourself as a person, summarising your skills and best qualities, as well as perhaps career aims

• Employment history and work experience - Begin with your present or most recent job, explain what the job is and the role you play, who your employer was and the date you began working there (if you no longer work there include the finishing date). When discussing the role, emphasise on the skills you acquired, as well as developed, and how these skills would appeal to an employer.

•  Education and training - Begin with your most recent qualifications, for example. GCSE's

• Interests, achievements, and skills - Include information which is directly relevant to the job you are applying to or which highlight key skills 

Points to remember

• Keep it short, no longer than two pages - Less is more

• Check your CV once complete - if your CV is mistake free it will give the employer a good first impression and will make you come across more professional 

• Different jobs require different strengths - Modify your CV to fit the job role better if needed, therefore letting you highlight the relevant strengths needed for the job

• Don't just write out your job description - Explain in depth what your job role consists of and the skills you use / have acquired

My CV

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Upon completing my CV, I began my work placement at Sunshine Co-operative, an organic food shop, so this is something I would have to add to further my CV.

My updated CV

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In updating my CV it lets me discuss more experience I have had and the skills I have picked up along the way, making me come across more professional and prepared to potential employers.