Writing a CV

Writing a C.V

A CV is a marketing tool, it is an advertisement and the product is you. The fact that you write your own CV means that you should always be able to promote your skills and achievements to the optimum level. Every time you apply for a job you should change your C.V so that it is always structured toward the job that you are applying for.

The purpose of a CV;

To market yourself directly to a prospective employer

To list your experience, qualifications and skills for a prospective employer to match against their job description

To entice an employer to want to learn further about you and therefore offer you an interview

A CV should be;

Tailored for each job that you apply for so that the experience/skills required for the job are at the forefront of your CV making it easier for an employer to spot their desired prerequisites at a glance.

No more than two pages long, easy to read in either size 10 or size 12 font in either New Times Roman or Arial. Avoid over formatting a C.V with too many headings, words underlined or in bold. Never submit a hand written C.V

Bullet pointed in business-like language with no spelling or grammar mistakes

No need to use “I” as it is already implied

A CV should include;
Personal details

Name, address, contact telephone number (landline and/or mobile), email address

Education

Most recent qualification should be first

Use full titles of qualifications

Unless your results were outstanding there is no need to put them down unless the job specification requires it.

The more qualifications you have the less important the previous ones become for example: a person with a PhD need not list the subjects they studied for the leaving cert.

Employment history

Start with the most recent position first and work back put dates of starting and leaving the position.

Bullet point responsibilities, skills, achievements and promotions gained

An employer does not want an in-depth analysis of each of your previous jobs. If your experience is relevant you will be given an opportunity to go into detail at interview stage.

Interests and activities

If you have some hobbies then list them, however do not be tempted to list hobbies that may make you sound more interesting but of which you know nothing about. So if skydiving is really your hobby then put it down.

Avoid putting down such hobbies as "socialising in pubs"

If you volunteer for any charities or clubs then be sure to put it down as a bullet point and list the tasks you undertake.

Personal Profile

This is a written paragraph (4 to 6 lines) on you that can appear at the beginning of your C.V under the personal details. The purpose of this is to use the space to highlight your skills and experience that are required in the job you are applying for.

Referees

Always ask before you put down someone as a referee. When you apply for a job or get an interview let your referee know that they may be contacted to give a reference. On your C.V you may wish to put under the Referees section that they are available on request, by doing this you will avoid references been taken without your prior knowledge.

Republished with permission from Osborne Recruitment

http://www.osborne.ie/career-advice.php

Tel : 01 638 4400