CVs & Covering Letters
CV (i.e. 'Curriculum Vitae' - Latin for 'the course of one's life') is the common terminology used in the UK for a summary 'document' positively describing the qualifications, relevant skills, experience and training, you can bring to a particular job.
Sometimes known as a Resume`.
Top Tips
Keep it simple. A CV must be easy to read, to photocopy and be kept brief, ideally two sides A4 of good quality white/cream paper. Get your spelling checked.
Make sure your CV gives the information an employer needs to make a decision. You might require more than one CV slanted to different jobs.
Tell the truth whilst presenting information positively (look up Power words on the Prospects site) and give examples or detail of achievements and skill development. Use the STAR formula: outline the situation; what was the task required; explain your action; what was the result.
Online CV recruitment is increasingly popular. Use the iProfile site below to create your online CV.
A CV (together with a covering letter) can be sent to an employer in response to a job advert or to enquire about a prospective vacancy, but must not replace an application form, when available.
Applying for creative jobs? Why not design a 'creative CV' which will illustrate your work and demonstrate your skills.
Go to the Employability Skills section of this Guide as a starting point.
Useful Links
Graduate Prospects - national careers site for HE students studying in the UK:
CVs and covering letters
http://prospects.iprofile.org/
Supported by Graduate Prospects - iProfile helps you to build a universal online CV. Securely store your CV online, update as required and use it to send to recruiters.
http://nextstep.direct.gov.uk/
Next Step careers site - click on sub-heading 'Getting a job' for 'CVs and covering letters'
GTI Media publication - click on sub-heading 'careers advice' and go to section 'Applications and CVs' + 'Job hunting tools downloads'
http://careers.guardian.co.uk/
Guardian careers online - go to sub-heading 'CVs'
