Tailor your CV

The term ‘Curriculum Vitae’ ( CV) literally means ‘story of your life’ and you can have one that does indeed tell that whole story.  Which could go on for at least several pages…

So when applying for any job, be it a short term part time opportunity, a speculative application or the graduate job of your dreams you need to take that lengthy list and turn it into something much quicker, more digestible and relevant to that particular job and employer. In other words ‘tailor’ it to suit the opportunity.

You can have also have a CV that’s relevant to an industry but ideally when you can, write one each time that is bespoke to and focused on one particular job.

Some of the CV content can and will stay the same but think about the sections that can change.

So how do you do this?

First port of call is the job description or as much information as you can gather on the opportunity and the company .  What skills are they asking for?

Employers like to see that you have worked in any roles such a care worker, bar and cafe assistant or  library helper but they are also keen to find out what you feel this experience has given  you in terms of raw transferable skills.

So think of the 7 sections a CV can contain.

• Personal details
• Career aim or personal profile
• Education
• Employment
• Skills
• Interests
• References

There are no absolutely right or wrong ways of writing a CV and the education, employment and skills sections can get moved around.

But if we stick to this model  as above for this example.  And consider the the sections where you can weave reference to the skills in

Career Aim or Personal Profile – Highlight relevant skills and you can also start to tailor your CV to fit the job here.

Education –  again can be made to fit if you are doing any modules that are relevant to the job or the industry. Don’t worry if they aren’t … it isn’t essential. But if it is it can add to the CV.

Ditto your dissertation or a final year project, if it does fit make the most of this. If it doesn’t include it anyway as its a USP ( Unique Selling Point for you)!

Employment –  highlight any relevant experience and break down the skills being offered. It needn’t be directly related , think about what you have done. Hospitality work for example involves customer service and therefore those skills can transfer very easily to retail for example.

Interests  –  think about what you have done and how this can show relevant skills. So have you been a captain of a sports team or held a position such as social secretary  or treasurer? What were you required to do and what key skills can you show?

Writing a CV needn’t be difficult or complicated, its the preparation work you do beforehand about yourself and what you can offer that can make this become an easier exercise.

For more details on writing a CV follow the link below.

https://www.brighton.ac.uk/careers/looking-for-a-job/cvs-applications-and-interviews/how-to-write-a-cv/index.aspx

 

Gauthier DELECROIX – 郭天 via Compfight