The CV is possibly the most important tool of the job search process. Your CV is your main marketing document and its purpose is to open doors to an interview by making a strong and positive statement demonstrating your skills and achievements. It is therefore vital that you are aware of your own skills and marketability. There are no hard and fast rules about writing CVs – they simply need to reflect your strengths. However, there are certain facts about you that are expected to be there and there are certain ways to write a CV that will present you clearly.

The purpose of a CV
- To present a clear and positive account of what you have to offer
- To get you to interview
- To present a professional document, which continues to sell you after you have attended interview

CV Style and Content
- Your CV should take up 2 full pages if possible
- Stress achievements and skills. Quantify where possible, including examples and figures
- The most relevant and most recent data needs to be read first. The challenge is to get your key messages across quickly and strongly at the very beginning of your CV. Most employers like to see a Profile of yourself followed by recent achievements and skills. The profile should be a 3 or 4 line paragraph about the skills and qualities that you believe would be important to a particular employer
- Omit irrelevant data. For example, don’t include the address of your old school or employer – location is sufficient. Do you need to include all your school qualifications? Are they still relevant?
- Keep the presentation simple. Use a classic font and good quality paper. Use of simple graphics can help but don’t go overboard. It is vital that you keep the reader in mind. Tailor it to particular jobs / industries. For example if you are applying to an advertising agency, something more creative may appeal, if you are applying to a financial institution, something more conservative would be more appropriate.

A Sample CV Layout can be downloaded as a PDF.

CV Checklist: After writing your CV, you should go through the following checklist:

1. First Impression – what first impression does your CV create?

2. Spelling Mistakes – have you run a spellcheck?

3. Is your CV well-presented? Is it too crowded? Too fussy?

4. Are the margins too narrow / wide? Is there enough / too much white space?

5. When a reader scans your CV for continuity in your career, are there any unexplained gaps?

6. How do you come across – interesting, team player or loner?

7. In your Interests / Achievements section, consider whether you have a range of interests. Consider artistic / creative, team / social, active / physical and intellectual interests. Do you have a mix of these, or are all your interests from one category? Three or four is the norm.

8. Check wording and grammar. For example, is there consistency in your tenses and pronouns?

It is worth going through this checklist with a friend/colleague or WRU Performance Lifestyle Manager to check that you have covered all of the above. The slightest error can make all the difference to an application. You should make sure that you always have an up-to-date copy of your CV on disk. This will enable you to make quick changes and respond to jobs as quickly as possible.

All CVs should be backed up with a good covering letter. It is a common misconception that a CV alone will suffice. The most important point about covering letters is that they need to be written from the point of view of the company / reader. A CV simply tells the company / reader what you have achieved. The covering letter should address how these achievements apply to the job you are applying for. Note the following points:

1. The letter should not be too long – 3 or 4 paragraphs are normally correct. In all situations, keep to 1 page.

2. Unless the company asks you to apply in handwriting, it is best to type your letters.

3. Your name, address, telephone number and e-mail address along with the date, name and address of the company should appear at the top of the page. Where possible, write to a named individual, as this immediately personalises the letter and makes any follow-up much easier.

4. If you are writing speculatively, it is best to identify the name of a line manager, or ideally a decision-maker in the area in which you are interested. The HR / Personnel Department will receive many applications, so although they seem the obvious choice, they are not likely to pay your CV much attention.

5. Use plain writing paper.

6. Your letter needs to be in 3 parts:
    a) Why you are writing
    b) Your abilities and how you fit the position
    c) Positive ending

7. End the letter by saying that you look forward to hearing from the company. Mention specific points about the company that attract you but avoid going over the top with flattery.

8. If you are writing to a named individual, end your letter “Yours sincerely”. Use your normal signature and print or type your name underneath. If you do not have a named individual to address, use “Dear Sir/Madam” and end the letter “Yours faithfully”.

9. Always draft your letter before typing or writing the final version. Then check it before sending. Is it clear? Is it tidy? Is the spelling correct? Does it convey your relevant key strengths.

10. Always keep a copy of your letter for your own reference and so that you can remember who you have written to.

There are two types of covering letter that may be required:

a) Speculative Covering letters: Download Sample PDF
b) Covering letters relating to a Specific Vacancy: Download Sample PDF

The CV unlocks the door for interview, it’s now up to you to live up to your CV in a formal interview. One of the central ingredients to ensure this is preparation. The main purposes of the interview are:

- To determine if you are as good as your CV says you are
- To find out whether you can do this specific job
- To see if you will fit in with the team, the boss and the company
- To explore what “added value” you may bring beyond the job spec

It is important to keep these in mind during the interview and tailor your responses to them.

Interview Preparation: Before going to an interview, it is important to understand why you are attending. If you understand why you are there, you are more likely to give a better account of yourself. Review your key selling points before going to the interview. Look carefully at the information given to you by the company – this includes the job description and a person specification. See how you can match your skills to their requirements. Study any information you can get hold of about the company. Use your personal networks and if you have access to the internet, this is a valuable source of information.

During the Interview: You should follow the general principles during the course of an interview:

DO: Be positive and enthusiastic
DO: Give real-life examples to back up your points
DO: Speak clearly and concisely
DO: Talk about your strengths
DO: Be truthful but do not volunteer negative information unless specifically asked
DO: Be aware of body language

DON’T: Underestimate your skills and abilities
DON’T: Ramble or waffle
DON’T: Use jargon words
DON’T: Argue with the interviewer
DON’T: Talk about your weaknesses without saying how you are addressing them
DON’T: Criticise your present manager

What interviewers are looking for: Most interviewers are concerned with three things:

a) Can you do the work? Do you have the necessary experience?
b) Will you do the work? Are you motivated?
c) Will you fit in? Does your personality and style fit the company culture?

Questions to ask the interviewer: Interviews need to be a two-way conversation. It is appropriate for you to ask the interviewer a few questions. This gives you a chance to illustrate your interest in the company and you should always have at least two questions prepared. The following would normally be appropriate:

"What are some of the objectives you would like to see achieved in this job?"
"Can you tell me about the training and development available to the successful candidate?"
"How is the success of this role measured?"
"How would you describe the culture of the organisation?"
"What would you see as the main priority for the post holder on commencing the job?"

For further information, please contact your WRU Performance Lifestyle Manager / Advisor.