When you apply for a job you may need a curriculum vitae (CV ).
It should provide the potential employer with the most relevant information about you - your key skills, work experience, education, training and the qualities you can bring to the role.
You must catch their attention so that they will want to invite you for an interview to find out more about you.
Keep it neat and tidy
Your finished CV must be well laid out and easy to follow. This is as important as including all the relevant information.
It should not be more than two pages long. Do not use coloured paper and fancy fonts. Send a printed copy not a photocopy.
Each time you apply for a particular job your CV should be customised to show that you have the specific skills, experience and personal qualities that the role requires.
You can find more advice and see some examples of CVs in the attached document on the right.
Links to a selection of useful websites are also provided.
Covering letters
You must send a covering letter with your CV. A good covering letter should be:
- Short, factual and to the point - just three or four paragraphs.
- Be specific to the job you are applying for
- Have your address and the prospective employer's address at the top.
- Be addressed to a named person if possible. If you cannot address it to a individual, use 'Dear Sir / Madam' and end it with 'Yours faithfully'.
- Include a reference number if provided in the job details. Put it below the opening line e.g. Dear Mrs ... Re: Job ref 345/04
- Make it clear which job you are applying for and where you saw the advertisement in the first paragraph.
- In the second paragraph state clearly why you believe you and your skills are suited to the job and the company. Your skills must match their needs.
- Avoid using phrases like ‘I think I could gain valuable experience with your company’. The employer is interested in what you can do for them, not what they can do for you.
Show that you understand and are interested in what the employer does and what the job entails. You should do some research on the company or organisation to which you are applying and use this information to help you to draft your CV and covering letter.
For example, you could may need to read the company's latest annual report or visit their website. Further tips are included in the attached document on the right.
- In the last paragraph refer to your attached CV. Mention any dates when you might be unavailable for interview. If you can, give a contact number.
- Make sure your letter is readable and printed on one side of white A4 paper. Check for spelling or grammar mistakes. Sign your letter and print your name underneath.
Application forms
Some employers ask you to fill in an application form rather than a CV.
You will need to have the following information available when you fill it in:
- Your CV or personal history.
- Exam results and certificates with dates.
- A list of your personal qualities and skills and examples of these
- The names and addresses of the school(s) / college you attended and the dates you started and left.
- The details of any other training you have done - who provided the training, what the courses covered, any exams taken, certificates awarded, etc.
- The names and addresses of at least two people who can give you good references.
There are some guidelines you should follow when filling in application forms:
- Read and carefully follow all the instructions, eg are you asked to use black ink?
- Make a photocopy of the form and fill that in first. Do not touch the master copy until you are sure about what you want to put and have checked your spelling and grammar. Ask someone to check it over.
- Make sure your application is easy to read. If possible, get it typed. Application forms can often be downloaded from the employer's website.
- Check to make sure you have filled all the form in. Do not leave any parts of it blank. If any part does not apply to you, put N/A (or 'Not Applicable), or put a neat line through the section to show that you haven't just forgotten to fill this bit in.
- There is usually a section for adding further information about yourself and why you want this particular job. Think about what the company or organisation are looking for. Give examples of when you have demonstrated the necessary interests, skills, experience, personal characteristics, etc
- Keep a copy. You may be asked questions in an interview about what you have written.
- Make sure you return it before the closing date.