Careers: The CV
Note: this section is not intended to replace advice given by a career guidance service. If you have access to a guidance & information service, you should make use of that: advice from a dedicated and specialist service is always better.
A CV or Curriculum Vitae (in America, it's called a Resume), is a written overview of your skills, achievements, education, and work experience. You're normally required to submit your CV as part of any job applications you make, along with a covering letter. You can also send a CV and cover letter to a potential employer on spec (they'll most likely keep your application on file).
You use your CV to show an employer why they should hire you and what they can expect from you when they do hire you. A CV is a good way of putting you in the shop window - it's an opportunity to market yourself and show off your strengths. If you don't have any work experience yet, don't panic! If you have done any of the following, put them in your CV; they will demonstrate your skills and abilities:
- Volunteer work
- Sports coaching or refereeing
- Organising events at school or college
- Been part of a committee or group
There's not any kind of official CV format, but a good CV should include:
- personal details - name, address, contact details
- personal statement - a short summary describing who you are, your skills and strengths and your career goals
- your work experience - with your current or most recent job coming first and then working backwards
- your education and qualifications - with your most recent qualifications coming first and then working backwards
- your hobbies and interests
There are also a few things that you don't need to put in your CV:
- Your age (irrelevant)
- Your marital status (irrelevant)
- Your nationality (unless you're from outside the EU)
- A photograph (it takes up valuable space)
- The result of every exam you've ever taken (the longer you've been out of school and in the workplace, the less relevant your leaving and junior cert results become)
- Social media usernames (except LinkedIn)
There are many CV templates available on the Internet and you can find a couple of sites with CV templates on the links page
Some tips:
- Keep your CV up-to-date. Any time that you change your job, get a new qualification or new skill, make sure it's in your CV
- Tailor your CV for specific job applications. Emphasise and highlight skills and experience (and hobbies that might help) that are relevant to the job you're applying for
- Avoid typos at all costs. Check your CV for spelling and grammar & have someone else look over it
- If you have access to a guidance and information service, have an advisor look at your CV
- The standard length of a CV is 2 pages, however, as you acquire skills, qualifications and experience, your CV may grow in length
- Use assertive and positive language - "action" verbs to describe your work experience
- Avoid gaps. If you have been out of work, say so, but include any courses or volunteer work that you did during that time
- Tell the truth - don't lie about your experience or skills; you'll be found out eventually.
- Use a standard font like Arial or Calibri. Do not use Comic Sans
- Section headings should be 16-18pt font size and body text 12-14pt
- Use bullet points to list skills, achievements and duties
- Leave white space around different sections to avoid your CV looking cluttered
- Use a sensible sounding email address; the best option is your name or a variation of it. Create a new email address if necessary
