Blog / CV Writing

CV Writing

28 Jul 2017

It’s one of the toughest steps in life.

The prospect of getting out and finding your first job – or trying to return to the workforce after years away – can be enough to bring even the toughest of us out in a cold sweat.

The questions are endless: How do I know what employers are looking for? How do I sell myself to them? What are my key skills? What do I put on my CV. How do I prepare for a job interview…. ?

Don’t panic – HR Solutions Shropshire can help, advise and write your CV.

The list of jobs available is simply enormous – the difficult part is figuring out what sort of work would be right for you.

Follow these easy steps to start drawing up some ideas.

Talk to family, friends, teachers, youth workers or tutors about their experiences and job roles; build a network of people who can help you think about the world of work.
Think about your interests and what kind of job you would like to do. But be realistic – and accept that you won’t start at the top of an organisation. Most people start out at the bottom of the job ladder in their first job; over time you can work your way up and into the role you really want.
Consider where you would like to work. This could be in an office or you might prefer to work outdoors and be more active. Also, think about whether you would like to work near to where you currently live or if you would be prepared or able to move or travel further for work.
Think about which companies are in your area and the sorts of jobs they offer. It’s a good idea to try to speak to local employers directly about the different kinds of work available. You can also find this out by looking on their website. Take advantage of any careers fairs or employer talks at your school/university or in your local area (these might be organised by your local Job Centre Plus or local council).

When you are looking for work, you will often hear people talk about ‘skills’ – these are the proven abilities you have that will be useful to a potential employer. Examples include:

Team working
IT skills
Foreign languages

Or more job-specific skills, such as:

Car maintenance
Child care
Customer service

These skills are important because they are what make you stand out when applying for a job.

They are separate from your qualifications or education – but you could have gained them at school, at home, via hobbies or previous work experience. Speak to a family member or friend to help you think about the skills you have and how that can help you decide what sort of work you would be suited to.

What is a CV?

Your CV – it stands for curriculum vitae, the Latin for course of life – is a short document all about you, and designed to sell yourself to a potential employer.

A good CV will show a potential employer that you have the right skills and experience (not just paid work experience) for a job within their organisation, as well as detailing your motivation to succeed and why you are the type of employee they are looking for.

Basic tips for preparing your CV:

Make your CV a maximum of two A4 sides long – if your CV is too long, the employer won’t have time to read it.
Keep the design simple. Use a standard font such as Arial or TimesNew Roman and make sure it’s no smaller than 10point. Remember, if an employer can’t read about you, they won’t want to meet you.
Use simple, plain and positive English with clear and concise content – don’t waffle!
Make sure your CV is laid out in a way that is easy to read and nice to look at.
Print out your CV on quality paper. And make sure that you save a copy on your computer so that it’s ready for any other applications.
There is no need to include a photograph.
It’s important to be honest – don’t make things up to make yourself sound better.

And lastly, don’t forget we’re here to help. HR Solutions Shropshire can give you the CV you deserve and which could make all the difference in that job hunt.