Tips for writing a great CV

Written by Katie Smith

Intern at Kensington Tutors

Now we are into the summer holidays, many of you will be looking for a job, an internship, or a course, requiring a CV or cover letter. It might be your first time having to write these applications and it can be hard to know where to start.

Below are some tips and tricks for writing a great CV, that I’ve picked up from my applications for jobs and courses, plus some useful resources. Hopefully, they’ll give you the boost you need to get started!

CVs

A CV (or curriculum vitae; sometimes known by its US name, a resume) is a document which outlines your skills, work experience, and education. It’s used by employers to assess whether you’re the kind of person they want for the role.

If you don’t have much, or any, work experience, your CV can highlight transferable skills instead. These are skills you’ve developed in one area which can also be applied in another. For example, if you’re in a sports team, you’re probably a skilled team-player and communicator. If you enjoy art, you’re likely creative and have a good eye for detail. Indeed has some great lists of transferable skills to help you identify yours.

Layout of a CV

Because employers see so many CVs, presenting yours well is important. Here are some tips:

·       Use a clear and simple font – something like Times New Roman, Arial, or Verdana is usually good.

·       The font size should be 11 or 12.

·       Depending what industry you’re applying for, consider using a little colour for headings or different sections (Indeed has a guide to using colour here).

·       Make sure there’s plenty of space on the page; a crammed CV is more likely to be dismissed by employers, so don’t reduce line spacing or margins too much.

Your CV should include a clear section for each of the following:

·       Personal statement – a basic introduction to you and your experience; see below for a detailed breakdown.

·       Key skills – a brief list of relevant skills, such as communication, empathy, IT literacy, and so on. The Guardian has some advice on including key skills.

·       Employment history – a list of any jobs or volunteer positions you’ve had, starting with the most recent.

·       Education –a list of everywhere you’ve studied, again starting with the most recent. If you don’t have much employment experience, you can talk about subjects you’ve taken and the grades you achieved.

·       Hobbies and interests – list a few hobbies and interests and explain what transferable skills and lessons you’ve taken from them.

Personal Statement

Your personal statement should go at the top of your CV, and outlines who you are and why you are suitable for the job. It can be broken down into three parts:

1.      A brief description of yourself.For example: ‘dedicated and creative student, seeking a summer job having just completed GCSE exams.’

2.      A couple of relevant skills.For example: ‘excellent team-player, shown by my time singing in the school choir and taking part in performances. Kind and compassionate, demonstrated by my mentoring role where I helped and supported younger students.’

3.      A specific reason that you want the job or that you’re the right pick.For example: ‘keen to work in a hospitality environment where I can use my friendly and approachable manner to provide great customer experiences.’

Most jobs have a lot of applicants, so it’s vital that your personal statement is concise and engaging so you stand out from the crowd.

There are lots of websites which provide information on how to write a CV, including the National Careers Service.

Cover Letters

If you’re applying for a job with a CV, it’s generally good practice to send a cover letter too. This is a short letter, usually no more than a page, where you can expand on your CV and bring in relevant skills and experience you didn’t get a chance to mention. You can talk about volunteering you’ve done, clubs and societies demonstrating transferable skills, specific responsibilities you’ve taken on, and also explain why you want to work for the company you’re applying to. The National Careers Service has good resources on cover letters, as do Indeed and Prospects.

Here are some pointers for writing a cover letter that stands out:

·       Start with an introduction. Begin your letter with a brief description of yourself, like a CV’s personal statement (though make sure the two are distinct, since employers will read both!). You should also mention how you found out about the job you’re applying for.

·       Do your research. Search the company’s website – particularly the ‘About Us’ and ‘Values’ pages, if they have them – and find keywords you can use in your cover letter. For example, if they mention that they’re an innovative company, try discussing times you’ve shown innovation in your cover letter.

·       Keep it formal and concise. As with CVs, employers will look at a lot of cover letters when they recruit, so it’s important you stay on topic and keep your writing clear, professional, and to-the-point.

General Advice

Proofread!

Mistakes in your CV and cover letter can get your application discarded immediately. Check spelling, punctuation, and grammar carefully, and if you can, get someone else to read it through to double check.

Tailor your application

It might be tempting to send the same CV and cover letter to every job, particularly if you’re applying for lots of similar roles. But employers can spot copy-and-paste work a mile away. Read the job description, person specification, and company website and pick out skills you can evidence in your application.

I would also recommend using AI tools sparingly, if at all; applications need to be your work and show employers that you can carry out the job on your own initiative. If you’re invited for an interview, employers often follow up on things you’ve put in your application, so make sure it’s your own work and you know what you’ve included.

Writing CVs and cover letters can be complicated, but it’s a vital part of job-hunting, and doing your research on what’s expected before you apply can really help you work effectively. There are lots of places you can go for more support, including the National Careers Service’s careers advisors, who can give you advice and guidance on applications, as well as all the links above.

Good luck with your applications!