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How to create and write a Curriculum Vitae (CV)

StartEasyCareer gives you helpful hints and tips on how to create and write a qualified Curriculum Vitae.

Covering letters

A good covering letter which is written properly is a great way to sell yourself to potential employers. The following hints will help you write covering letters that no employer can ignore!

Although it seems daunting, writing a covering letter is a relatively easy task. It's best to prepare beforehand and think about what you want to say. Good covering letters tend to have a logical structure that you can follow.

In total, your covering letter should be no more than one side of A4 paper and, ideally, no more that five paragraphs in length. This isn't a lot of space, so the key is to highlight your most important attributes as briefly as you can. Use the same, good quality paper for your covering letter and CV. The font size should be no less than 11 point, and the style of writing used should be easy to read.

Good first impressions

Your first paragraph is the most important part of the letter. Your aim is to attract and keep the recruiter's attention by instantly emphasising your interest in, and suitability for, the job. Keep it brief and easy to read.

Clearly state the position you are applying for, including reference code, if given. If you are responding to a job advert, say where and when you saw the advert. If you are applying speculatively, say why you wish to work for the company. You should then go on to say why you want to apply for the job you are considering. It's best if you can explain what you can bring to the employer, rather than what the job can do for you.

The main body

From here, you can highlight your abilities, skills and experience, starting with what you feel is the most relevant.

Don't go into too much detail, as your CV can be refered to. Try to complement, not duplicate, information on your CV - this is a chance to add something extra to your application that you haven't said elsewhere. Use positive language to describe yourself. You should come across as confident and positive, but not arrogant. Keep your sentences simple - remember that any employer will have a lot of applications to sift through and have to be able to scan your application easily and quickly. The most effective covering letters use examples to illustrate your abilities. For instance, if you are required to show good interpersonal skills, mention any experience where you may have used these skills, such as part-time shop or bar work. It's easy to claim you have skills, but this is a great way to back up your claims with persuasive evidence.

Try to include:

A statement of where you are from and what you are doing at present is useful: "I'm a student in the history department at York University and I will graduate next summer". details of how you found out about the firm: "I wish to apply for the position of ... as advertised in the Hobsons Graduate Career Directory." a statement that demonstrates your interest. "After graduation, I am keen to work in".

Summing up

Having highlighted your best points, you should sum up by emphasising your interest in the position and organisation.

Leave the recruiter feeling positive about your application and keen to find out more about you.
You could also give an indication of when you will be available for interview - make it easy for the employer to make contact with you. When you have finished your letter, take another look at the job advert you are replying to. Does your letter cover all the points raised in the advert? If you have missed something out, your letter isn't ready to be sent!

Before you send

It's important to give your letter to someone to proofread before you send it. Your careers adviser will be able to help you and may be able to suggest some improvements.

Key tips

Never send your CV to an employer without a covering letter.
Try to send your letter and CV to a named person. If you are not sure who to address it to, call the company and ask.
Always type your covering letter, unless otherwise stated.

Create a great CV

The single purpose of a CV is to secure yourself with an interview. The CV is your chance to tell potential employers all about your skills, experience, knowledge and the personal qualities you will bring to the job.

It should be as individual as you are - after all, no-one else has the same mix of qualities, skills and experience as you have.

Here's your step-by-step guide to writing a great CV.

Step 1 Research the employer

Before you apply for any job, it is important that you find out about the company you are interested in, that way you can tailor your CV to meet any requirements that the job may demand.
If you are responding to a job advertisement, does it contain a description of your duties and responsibilities? Do you know anyone who works for the company that can give you information? If not, the company website is a vital research tool. Maybe you can find out what values the company thinks is important in it s mission statement.

Step 2 Self-analysis

What can you offer an employer? It's important not to simply list skills, but to show some evidence of them too. For instance, your dissertation may demonstrate good project-management skills. Maybe your part-time work shows your initiative and dedication. Don't underestimate the "soft skills" you may have developed - dealing with different people and giving presentations are very useful skills.

Step 3 Personal details

The next step involves putting your CV together. You should clearly state your name, contact address, telephone number and, if you have one, your e-mail address, date of birth and nationality. You have to make it as easy as possible for employers to contact you, so make this information stand out at the top of the first page.
You might also want to include an opening paragraph about yourself, of no more than 3-4 sentences.

Step 4 Key facts

To do this you should have all your key dates (the da tes you joined and left school, when you started any part-time jobs, etc). Check that these dates are accurate - it could be embarrassing to explain any errors in an interview.

Step 5 Organising your CV

Look at the skills and experience you have to offer and decide what your most important attributes are. Is it your work experience or your academic achievements? Your technical skills or your personal skills? Think about what the employer would rate your most important attribute and put that first on your CV, working in reverse chronological order.

For instance, if your education is your key selling point, put that first, starting with your university and working backwards to your school. You can leave out your primary school and individual subjects you have studied - stick to the most useful facts.

Most employers are so busy that they take only seconds to look at each CV, so it's important that yours is clear and well organised. Good formatting, like bold, italics and underlining can work wonders, but don't overdo it. Avoid the temptation to use too many different fonts it's distracting to look at. Stick to one or two clear fonts with a point size no lower than 11.

Step 6 Revise and rewrite

Read over your CV and work out how you could make it more attractive to employers. Use positive, active language to make your achievements more dynamic. Keep your sentences short and clear. Bullet points are a good way to make a paragraph easier to read.

Your CV should be no more than two A4 pages in length (printed on two single-sided sheets). Don't feel you have to fill up empty space. Use good-quality paper to print your CV and covering letter on. Have someone else read it over before you send it. Your careers adviser will be able to give you some good tips.

Key tips

Keep your CV relevant. You don't need to list every subject you studied at university, only the ones the employer will be interested in. Listing your hobbies and interests helps give your CV a more personal feel. Don't lie - you may have to provide evidence to back up your claims in an interview.


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