Katherine Bond, Graduate Recruiter for Teach First delivered a workshop on CVs and Applications in collaboration with Lit Soc.  Below are notes about CVs that complement the presentation from the session which can be found here: CVs and Applications

For more information about Teach First and their opportunities visit http://www.teachfirst.org.uk/

 

 

Your CV

 

• Is a decision-making aid for employers as it summarises your experience and skills

• Is an advertisement of you, so sell yourself well

• Is part of your personal brand, so decide on how you want to be perceived by others

 

 

Writing your CV

 

• Make the employer think of 3-5 things about you that are ideally linked with the job description

• Ask yourself ‘what impression should your CV leave behind?’

• Think of it as a blurb for a book, convincing the reader to read on and find out more

• Remember that it could lead to an interview, so be honest

 

 

Structuring your CV

 

• It should be no more than 1-2 pages – be efficient with use of space

• It should not be colourful, simple black and white will suffice

 

 

Title

 

• Your full name, but no profile picture or the words ‘CV or Curriculum Vitae’ are needed

• An optional short summary can be concise, with just three points about your personal brand

• The first sentence should show your professional nature, experience, aims and ambitions – prove your ability

 

 

Basic Personal Information

 

• Your address, telephone/mobile number, email address (and twitter handle if relevant)

• Ensure your email address is personal and not from your current place of employment, and also make sure it’s not a funny/weird email address like ‘kat_loves_tom@emailaddress.com’

 

Education

 

• Should be written in reverse chronological order (so most recent first)

• List the full title of your degree and potentially any modules if needed (if you received a 2.1 or above in them)

• Mention any Academic prizes you have been awarded

• There is no need to put down all of your GCSEs, something like ’10 GCSEs x A* (including Maths, English and French)’ will look neat and impressive

 

 

Vocational Experience and Volunteering

 

• EVERYTHING counts as professional experience

• Ideally, include experience you have gained in the past three years

• Only go as far back as your GCSEs if needed

• Demonstrate your skills, qualities and commitment

• Keep in mind the Four Cs: Correct Terminology, Concise, Clear, Convincing

• For the correct terminology, look at the company you are applying to and try to use their words and phrases, without copying and pasting them, being obvious or being too cheesy!

• To be convincing, it doesn’t just have to be facts, make it sound AMAZING, never lie and highlight the best aspects

 

 

Extracurricular

 

• List other qualifications, including if you have a driving licence, are first aid qualified etc

• List any languages you know, including what level you are at (beginner, intermediate, advanced, fluent, native)

• List any hobbies you have in about 3-4 lines, depending on what you are applying for and their relevance

• Employers are looking for well-rounded people