CV Writing Help

Do you need help writing your Curriculum Vitae? Before you start, read through some of the CV Tips and Advice on this website so you can use the right CV Style and know what to include. Remember, first impressions count so, your CV needs to be just right for the job application.

There are four main styles of CVs but there are certain things in common that they all have including:

CV Heading - You should include:

• Your Full Name
• Contact Address
• E-mail address
• Landline Telephone Number
• Mobile Phone Number

Personal Profile

This is one of the most important sections of your CV as it gives the employer their first impression of you. You should write a brief paragraph and not go into too much detail. Your Personal Profile should include what you do and your best transferable skills e.g. A Sales Manager with seven years experience in the Media Industry. Proven track record of motivating staff to achieve results in pressurized situations. Personal strengths include negotiation, face to face presentations, time-management, networking and communicating with a wide spectrum of people at different levels of seniority.

Employment History

No matter which CV Format you are using you should include information about your employment history. If you have just left school or college and have no paid work experience then you should add any voluntary work you have done. Depending on which type of CV you choose to use details should include, employer, job title, dates, and a brief description of what the role involved.

Education

Usually your education is found below your work experience. It is important on all formats of CVs to list your most recent qualifications first e.g.
BA 2.1:English Literature University of Birmingham, 1995 - 1998
A Levels: History [A], English [B], German [C] Bourne Grammar School, 1993 - 1995
GCSE’s: 10 A – C Grades inc Maths and English Bourne Grammar School, 1989 - 1993

References

Always write “references available on request” at the bottom of a CV. (you should have the names of two relevant contacts that can be used as referees, usually one work and one personal).