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When to use a CV

To reply to advertised jobs. Do not send a CV if an employer specifically requests an application form.

To make speculative applications, eg to look for unadvertised opportunities or freelance work.

To contact recruitment agencies. Find out whether they have a preferred format before sending your CV.

Layout

There is no single perfect layout for a winning CV. You should decide how best to present your strengths and experiences without being confined by a restrictive format. The Careers Service can help you decide what works for you.

Do

• Keep your CV to two pages maximum.
• Use a clear, commonly available font in size 10-12. Arial is a good choice.
• Use a slightly larger (size 16-18) heading font for section headings and your contact details to make the layout clear and to direct the reader to key information.
• Use bullet points and avoid long sentences and paragraphs. Ease of reading is crucial to ensure your CV gets read.
• Use simple bullets; circles or squares. Don't be tempted to use decorative or quirky options - they will distract from your content.
• Use full stops at the end of every bullet point or none of them, but be consistent.
• Ensure all paragraphs and bullets are neatly aligned.
• Present your education and work experience in reverse chronological order ie most recent experience first.
• Check very carefully for spelling, grammar and typing errors - do not rely on spell check.
• Show your CV to the Careers Service, or to a tutor or  friend to get feedback.
• If you need to print your CV use good quality A4 paper.

Don't

• Don't use the header 'Curriculum Vitae' or 'CV' - the first line of your CV should have your name only.
• Don't give an unprofessional or inappropriate email address.
• Don't include a photograph, your age or your marital status. These are not required in the UK.
• Don't copy another person’s CV and be careful when using CV templates – it is best to find a format and style that suits your own purposes.
• Don't send your CV without checking for spelling, grammar and typing errors - such mistakes could mean your application is rejected straight away.
• Don't rely on spell check to identify errors. Print a copy of your CV and read it carefully line by line. You may be surprised how many errors you find.
• Never fold a paper CV - submit it in an A4 envelope (unless an employer gives you a smaller return envelope).

Grammar tips and common typos

• Are you using capitals correctly? Eg BSc and not Bsc, BA (Honours), not Ba (honours), MA not Ma, PhD, not PHd.
• Capitals are used for job titles eg Administrative Assistant.
• Are you using hyphens correctly? Compound nouns can be written as one word, two words or hyphenated eg eyewitness, eye shadow, eye-opener. Spell check can help but if in doubt use a dictionary to confirm.
• Are you using colons (:) correctly? You can use colon before a list or to introduce a new idea. If in doubt, use a capital letter after a colon.
• Avoid using dashes (–) for anything other than to indicate a span of time, eg June – July.
• Don't use a dash instead of a comma or colon.
• Is all spacing between dashes ( – ) correct and consistent? For example, May 2013 – June 2014, not May 2013  -June 2014.
• Is the spacing between words the same? Spell check should pick this up.

• Are you using the appropriate verb tense? Don't use past tense if you are presently in a job. Make sure you aren't changing from past to present tense within a sentence or paragraph.
• Have you kept your writing style formal without abbreviations? For example:
  
  • I am and I have, not I’m or I’ve
  • Administrative Assistant, not Admin Assistant
  • Student Representative, not student rep
• Avoid using abbreviations or acronyms used within an institution but which are not in general use. If you need to use them show the full phrase or title in the first instance, followed by the abbreviation in brackets eg 'Destination of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey'. You can then subsequently use the abbreviation on its own ie 'DLHE survey'.
• If you put headings in capitals, spell check may not detect errors.
• Criteria and phenomena are the plural forms of criterion and phenomenon; use them correctly.

Understand your skills and attributes 

Skills are the building blocks of a successful CV.

Understanding your skills and attributes enables you to make successful applications, approach interviews with a clear sense of your strengths, and develop as a professional.

Using the Employability Workbook will help you to:

• Understand your own skills and attributes
• Articulate your skills in writing, and at interviews
• Consider the values, skills and attributes you need in your chosen career.

Sell your skills

The key skills that are required to do any job are usually given in the job advertisement, job description and/or person specification. Your CV should be targeted to the job you are applying for by demonstrating how you meet the specific requirements of the role.

Similarly, when targeting a CV for speculative applications you should identify and sell the skills you have that are relevant to the industry or type of work you want to get into.

By doing this you will get the employer's interest and maximise your chances of being invited to interview.

How do I sell my skills?

As well as specific skills (eg ability to use particular software applications), employers often look for more general employability skills eg communication, team-working, time management etc.

Employability skills can be developed in many ways; through part-time work, volunteering, studies and hobbies. All experience is of value in demonstrating and selling your skills.

Provide evidence

Here are two examples of how you would sell your relevant skills, even though your experience might be very different to the job you are applying for.

Activity: I work part-time in a supermarket

Skills: As a Customer Service Assistant, I communicate with customers and work as part of the team.

Better, but so what?

Evidence: Working at the Customer Service desk, I have developed excellent communication skills dealing with customer queries and complaints, both face-to-face and on the telephone. Using my active listening skills and my creative problem solving skills I have been able to resolve problems and issues successfully, with a positive outcome for both the customer and the supermarket.

I support members of my team by offering assistance with customer care issues on a daily basis and by sharing good practice, and by giving positive feedback and encouragement to peers to contribute to high team morale.

You've evidenced:

• verbal communication skills
• negotiation skills
• team working

Activity: I am Treasurer for the Law Society

Skills: As Treasurer for the Law Society I have developed skills in budget management, record keeping and event organisation.

Pretty good, but so what?

Evidence: My role as a Treasurer involves setting and managing the society’s annual budget of £5000 through ongoing negotiation with the membership. I need to be well organised and proficient in the use of Excel and Word in order to keep accurate, detailed records of expenditure and to present reports to the union to meet annual deadlines.

Working with other society members I have played a key role in planning and delivering social events for members, as well as promotional events to attract new members at the start of the academic year.

You've evidenced:

• IT skills
• verbal and written communication skills
• negotiation skills
• close attention to detail
• multitasking
• team working
• keeping to deadlines
• event planning and delivery

Make sure your application gets read 

Some large companies use software to scan applications looking for keywords. If the keywords are not found the application is rejected before it gets seen by a human being.

Software will often be company and role-specific, so you must tailor your application to the job you are applying for. You should repeat back key words and phrases used in the job description.

Use the links below to get more information about scanning software and how to 'beat' it;

• 
  Tips on working with and getting past scanning software.
• 
  Advice on effective use of keywords in CVs.
• 
  Information on use of scanning, use of keywords and general tips on writing applications.

Your rights under the Data Protection Act (2018)  

Candidates have the right under DPA not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated processing, for example automated shortlisting where candidates without a particular level of qualification are automatically filtered out before the applications are considered by the recruiters.

Under the DPA, employers can use automated decision-making only if it is:

Necessary for entering or performing a contract, which could be the case if there is an exceptionally large volume of applications for each vacancy, for example;

• Authorised by law; or
• With the candidate's explicit consent.

If an employer does use automated decision-making, it must advise candidates of this in its information notice. It must also allow candidates to contest the automated decision by giving them the right to an alternative means of making the decision, using human intervention.