Constructing my CV

What is a CV?

A CV is a written overview of your skills, education, work experience and qualifications. They can be used for a number of reasons however the most common of these is to send to possible future employers when you are searching for a job. A CV is an essential part of applying to any job and a great way to pull together all of your previous experience, skills and qualifications into one place. A well written CV could be the difference between getting invited to an interview for the job you applied for and not being considered at all for the position. 

What should a CV include?

There is no official CV structure however there is certain key information that should always be included, this essential information includes:  

• Your personal details like your name, address and mobile phone number.
• A personal statement that is a brief personal summary of who you are and what you're looking for.
• Relevant key skills you have.
• Your previous work experience that should be listed in reverse chronological order with the most recent job role listed first.
• Education and qualifications also listed in reverse chronological order.
• Any hobbies and interests you have that you think might help you to get the job.
• References from people around you that are often available on request.

My previous CV drafts

This was my first CV draft that I created using Indeed.com, I added my necessary personal information so that the employer could contact me. I also added my education and key skills I thought would aid me in getting the jobs I was applying for. However, this CV is plain and boring, there is also no personal statement and previous work experience. I also didn't add any of my hobbies and interests that I thought would help me secure a job.

 

 This was my second CV draft and is very similar to the first however, I have added more of my education. As well as this, I have added my previous work experience along with a little description of my job role and the skills I put to use when working. Lastly I have updated my skills with those that I have had a chance to work on in my current job role. However, the CV still has a boring layout, there is no personal statement and I haven't added my hobbies and interests. 

My Finished CV

 

This is my final CV draft which as you can see has vastly improved from the first two, I have added everything that is essential to add to a CV that wasn't in my first two drafts. I have provided all the basic personal details like my name, personal address, mobile number and email address. I have also went into more detail about my education by stating the grades I received in school and the qualifications that came with them, on top of this I have added my college predicted grades as I am yet to receive my real ones. My work experience is clearly stated and is accompanied by a paragraph about what my job role entails and the skills I have put into use while working there. Unlike my previous drafts, I have added a personal statement, which is a brief paragraph summarizing who I am, what I am studying, my goals for the future, my hobbies and interests, my skills that would be key in the job role I am applying for and finally what I am looking for in a job. The biggest amendment I have made to this CV in comparison to my early drafts is that instead of it being boring and plain, I have changed the layout and the way it is formatted while adding a bit of colour to attract as many future employers as possible and ensure that my CV is interesting to look at and easy to follow.