How to Write a Winning CV

Who am I? – Dawn Spiby

The CV - What is it?

Translation

Curriculum Vitae

(the) course of (my) life

Why is it important?

Get it wrong?

How NOT to do it

• Forgetting the employer

• Poor presentation

• Too long/Waffle

• Errors, grammar & spelling

• Jargon, abbreviations & TLA’s!!

• Irrelevant Information

• Not enough information/vague

• Silly e mail address

• Lacks professionalism

Do it Yourself!

Don’t Lie!

Example!

How to do it!

• Sales document....about YOU!

• Be confident

• No more than 2 sides of A4 –

most student applications are one

• Uniform Font – Times New

Roman, Cambria, Arial

• Usually Font size 11- 12

• Use a standard format/ structure

• One size does not fit all

So put in some effort!!!

TO FAIL TO PREPARE, IS TO PREPARE TO FAIL

Benjamin Franklin

The CV Objective

• Future Employer is interested in what you can

do for their business, NOT what the business

can do for you

• Demonstrate not describe achievements

• Career experience

• Education & accomplishments

• Personal skills and attributes

• Possible career objectives

• Self-management (including time keeping)

• Teamwork and leadership

• Problem solving

• Communication skills

• Commercial awareness

• Customer care

• Academic and extra-curricula achievements

• I.T skills

• Commitment and enthusiasm

What are they looking for?

The CV Construction

• Name and contact information

• Personal Profile – incl. Career Objective

• Education

• Work Experience

• Skills & Achievements

• Interests and Hobbies

• Awards and distinctions

• Other Experience

• References

The Personal Profile

•Gives the employer an insight into you!

•Shows what you are expecting from a position

•Should be positive, tailored to the job you are

applying for

•Has three key components

• Quality – that defines you

• Training – anything relevant you have had or

have done

• Job – what is it you are looking for?

A good example

A hard-working, conscientious student who is always striving to

achieve the highest standards. A key member of sports teams

and clubs in the Stamford Endowed Schools 6th Form.

Received recognition for achievement in Maths, Art and Design

& Technology and am now seeking an entry level position in

web development, in a dynamic agency as part of a bigger

team. A well organised, time manager capable of balancing

time towards academic studies and other activities, including

Rugby, editor of the Sixth Form quarterly news letter and a part

time position creating business cards for small enterprises.

A good example

A hard-working, conscientious student who is always striving to

achieve the highest standards. A key member of sports teams

and clubs in the Stamford Endowed Schools 6th Form.

Received recognition for achievement in Maths, Art and Design

& Technology and am now seeking an entry level position in

web development, in a dynamic agency as part of a bigger

team. A well organised, time manager capable of balancing

time towards academic studies and other activities, including

Rugby, editor of the Sixth Form quarterly news letter and a part

time position creating business cards for small enterprises.

A good example

An industrious and enthusiastic student, with a wide range of

interests such as sport, reading and languages. An effective

team worker as well as results oriented solo worker,

possessing strong leadership qualities and an engaging

personality. Competent at organising a busy time schedule, I

am a member of the Debating Society, part time worker at the

local newspaper and volunteer for Rutland Sailability. With an

the aspiration of a career in journalism, hopefully within the

European Union, following completion of my Politics, English

and Modern Language studies.

A good example

An industrious and enthusiastic student, with a wide range of

interests such as sport, reading and languages. An effective

team worker as well as results oriented solo worker,

possessing strong leadership qualities and an engaging

personality. Competent at organising a busy time schedule, I

am a member of the Debating Society, part time worker at the

local newspaper and volunteer for Rutland Sailability. With an

the aspiration of a career in journalism, hopefully within the

European Union, following completion of my Politics, English

and Modern Language studies.

Education

• State your school and subjects

• Any important classes or courses you have

taken that may be job relevant

• Any accolades you have had to date

• Expected grades

• Plans for study going forward

Work Experience

• If you have not got any, do not put the section in!!

• Include paid and unpaid work

• Work experience through school – no matter how

brief

• List your responsibilities and duties

• Demonstrate the experience you gained from role

• Illustrate your positive impact on team, business or

customers

Roythornes Solicitors, Summer 2011 & 12, Office Assistant: Responsible for filing document, answering the phone and general administration.

Leicester Animal Rescue Centre 2012, Volunteer: Assisted with the cleaning out, feeding and walking of the animals. Interface with the public.

Recording animal data into a bespoke database. Fundraised almost £800 pounds for the

charity through sponsored events and yard sale. Gained corporate sponsorship of front of

building and free decorating, by local paint company.

Boots The Chemists 2011- 2013 – Seasonal, Shop Assistant :

Responsible for stock replenishment of gift items in festive period, late evenings and

weekends. Liaised with stock controlled regards ordering and assisted store merchandising

teams with Point of sale and materials. General customer service and assistance in store.

Work Experience - Examples

Skills & Achievements

• Especially if no work experience – can come first in CV

• Demonstrate key skills and your potential value

• What are your star qualities

• Positive personal characteristics

• Gives an employer an insight into your leadership and

social skills

• Your achievements, character, energy & health

• Research what people in the industry say and reflect

those skills

• Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards completed. Gold to be

completed in Madagascar, Summer 2014

• Member of the FISH (Friend In Stamford High) scheme – mentoring a new

student to Stamford High School. Sept. 2012

• International school Netball Tour to South Africa, August 2007.

• Grade 4 Piano. Grade 3 Speech and Drama examinations

• Production team for Evergreen Trust Charity Ball programme – 2009

• Played Egea in Dream Nights – Key Youth Theatre, Peterborough – Summer

2008.

Examples

• CCF - Member of the Combined Cadet Force of the Stamford School

contingent for 2 years. Weapons Handling Test Completed and valuable skills

in organisation and leadership gained.

• LAMDA – Acting Duologue Grade 5- Distinction. Acting Solo Grade 6 (bronze

medal) – Distinction, Communication (Spoken English) Grade 1 – Merit.

• The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music - Grade 3 Singing

• Member of Choral Society

• Elected Form captain –Years 8,9,10

• Elected School Council Representative – Year 10

• Elected School Charity Representative – Year 9

• Mentor of Year 7 pupil – Year 10

Examples

Interests and Hobbies

• Think about the job and what it may entail

• Demonstrates a range of skills, which may be

transferrable to the position

• Tells an employer more about your character

• The more unusual, the more eye-catching

• A talking point

• E.g.

• International cuisine, graphics, adventure

sports, marathons, kayaking.....

Awards & distinctions

• What makes you stand out from the crowd?

• E.g. • Gold - Worked as part of a team at a Regional Science

Competition, and achieved first place, at Leeds

University. November 2011

• Awarded 6th Form/Sport/Academic/Music scholarship

2011

• Awarded Biology/Chemistry/Physics Olypiad 2012

• Achieved a Bronze award in the Math’s challenge 2010

• Member of the Prefect Team /Subject Prefect, 2011/12

Other Experience

• IT - European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) completed, 7

modules - proficient in Word, Excel and PowerPoint

• Fluency in French, German and Spanish. Spent 4 weeks on

German exchange in Summer 2012.

References

•You may have work

experience

•It may be a tutor.....

•But not your Mum!!

Ones that get you through to Boot

Camp!

Winning CV’s

Keeping up appearances

• Content is King.

• Has done their homework

• Aligns with our corporate

goals & the job needs

• Uses my language/keywords

• Demonstrates synergistic

experience or skill set

• Illustrates and quantifies

achievement

• Strong referees

Professional, easy to read

Puts my business needs first

Demonstrate skills for the job

Easy read, ability clear

Creative but simple

Grabs attention – determined!

CV goes mobile!

Stand out from the crowd

Its in your hands!

‘V’

Thank you!