There are hundreds, probably thousands of CV templates available out there. You’ll have all sorts of conflicting, confusing advice thrown at you and if you’ve never created a CV before it can be daunting. You want it to be perfect and reflect you in the best possible way.
Writing a CV is not difficult, you have all the information you need, it’s just a case of getting it done.
Many job search sites now have the option to fill out your CV once you’re signed up with them and it is definitely worth doing because it then gives you the option of downloading it. You then have a CV to use elsewhere instead of creating your own.
However, if you do want to create your own I have made an example for you to have a look at here. <—— Click the text.
A few points for you to remember…
- The title of your CV should be your name.
- Try to use bullet points and not reams of text.
- Do not include reasons for leaving past employment.
- Do not include salary details.
- Be professional.
- Do not include your address.
- Do not include your DOB.
- Do not include a photo, unless specifically asked to do so.
Your opening statement on your CV needs to be pretty awesome. Some companies won’t have time to meticulously go over each individual CV and therefore they will go by the first few lines that you have written about yourself. That’s quite a lot of pressure for 4-5 lines so it’s worth getting it right.
I don’t include education further back than college because personally I don’t think it is relevant for me now. It is very dependent on your age, if you only left school 5 years ago then do include your GCSE’s. My college Diploma and University certificates are more reflective of my abilities than my GCSE grades from over 15 years ago.
Remember you are trying to sell yourself, so don’t leave important achievements out. As tempting as it may be, don’t ever lie on your CV. If you tell them you’re fluent in French when actually all you can do is tell them you live in a house, how stupid will you look when they introduce you to Jacques from purchasing who will be sitting in on your interview and who moved over to the UK from France just last month…? Very stupid. So don’t do it.
Don’t ever let anyone make you think you’re not good enough.
Follow your dreams right now! Don’t wait until tomorrow,
next week, next year. Stop planning, start doing 🙂
Be happy and keep smiling 🙂
Made A Hames 