Get your CV to the top of the pile

Get your CV to the top of the pile

Frances PickersgillDevelopment Editor Nursing Standard

Getting your CV to the top of the pile

When to use a CV

• When applying for a post speculatively• When asked for one• If applying for post ‘in writing’• If no application form

Get your CV to the top of the pile

The principles

Keep it professional : CVs are about your competence and capability to do the job

Keep it brief : CVs are a resume of your professional experience; no more than 2 A4 pages

Keep it interesting : draw the reader in; show your awareness of developments in nursing and health care; tailor it to the job

Keep it up to date: CVs need constant honing and updating; update each time you accomplish a project; revise the personal statement regularly

Get your CV to the top of the pileThe Basics

• Need a paper copy of CV; online not always possible and difficult to hand out

• While paper only; no coloured, patterned or other personalised paper

• Black ink only : no colours • Sans serif font –arial is most common; no gothic,

manuscript or other stylised fonts• Plain typeface: bold permissible but no

underlines, italics • No photos, illustrations, diagrams

Get your CV to the top of the pile

The components

• Header: name, address, correct contact details – work phone and mobile, email, Twitter, LinkedIn; • Personal profile: short and snappy; honest description of yourself; explain why you’re the person for the job; sell yourself; maybe complete this section last • Strengths: avoid the obvious; no clichés; what personal attributes is this employer likely to need? Use online tools• Employment history: most recent first; most recent should include most detail then in descending order

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Get your CV to the top of the pileThe components

• Education history: schools, colleges, qualifications; vocational courses; studies in progress

• Achievements: include anything relevant for the job eg first aid, course; leading a project; running a club; foreign language

• Interests: any with relevant/transferable skills eg sport, music; voluntary work

• References: check OK with referees; past employers, lecturers, no parents, friends, families, lovers; include names and job titles only

• Cover letter: opportunity to explain yourself , show your personality, include examples of work

Get your CV to the top of the pileThe covering letter

Should include more information about you and your suitability for the specific job; tailor it to the job

• Keep it brief – one A4 page only• Address it to the person named in the job

advert or corresponding person • Use key words from the job description • If you say you have a skill, give example• Show your personality especially aspects that

set you apart• Check other covering letters for ideas

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Get your CV to the top of the pile

Some resources

RCN careers service : tinyurl.com/RCNMSSCV Clinic: http://rcnpublishing.com/r/cv-clinicStep by step guide: www.nurses.co.ukEdubuzz careers advice : tinyurl.com/edubuzz

Get your CV to the top of the pile

Frances PickersgillDevelopment Editor Nursing Standard

Get your CV to the top of the pile