As the end of the academic year fast approaches, a number of City of Westminster College students will be readying themselves for the world of work once College closes for the summer. A good CV (curriculum vitae) is essential when applying for jobs. A summary of your experience, skills and education are important to include in any CV, and in particular any relevant information relating to a specific position you are applying for.

What should you include in a CV?

• Contact details – full name, address, contact telephone number & email address.

• Work experience – voluntary roles, previous jobs and internships should be included.

• Education – dates of all previous education establishments attended, starting with the most recent.

• Skills – these can include transferable skills such as; reading/writing skills, computer skills, working to deadlines or managerial experience, job-related skills more specific for the role you are applying for and adaptive skills including; ability to work in a team, customer service skills, creativity, positivity and adaptability.

• Referees – these are two people who can provide a positive recommendation regarding your professional conduct.

How should you set out your CV?

•  A personal statement can be a good piece to have at the start of a CV – this should be a short summary highlighting your achievements (both professional and personal), key skills and reason for wanting to work in a specific industry/role.

• If you’re a recent graduate without much work experience, start with your previous education. If however you have a few years’ experience under your belt, your past positions should be listed first and education below this.

• Any skills you wish to draw attention to should be listed in a separate section if not included in the personal statement at the start of your CV.

What should you watch out for when writing your CV?

• Always check for spelling mistakes – it’s very easy to miss an error, even with spell-checker. Getting someone else to read through your CV is always a good idea; a fresh pair of eyes may pick up something that you missed.

• Ensure you have a clean layout, making your CV easy to read, with your most impressive accomplishments (including grades) at the top.

Your CV is the first impression a potential employer will have of you, so make sure it’s a good one!