CV

Personal Details

When completing the personal details section of your CV, start by clearly listing your full name, followed by your contact information. This should include your phone number and email address, ensuring both are up to date and professional. If relevant, include a link to your LinkedIn profile or any websites or blogs that showcase your work or expertise in the field.

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There's no need to include your age, date of birth, gender, nationality, National Insurance number, Passport number, or a photo, as these are not required in most CVs. For your location, it's acceptable to simply state your city if you'd prefer not to list your full address. You can also indicate if you're willing to relocate, which can be helpful if you're open to opportunities in different regions.

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Personal Profile

This is your opportunity to showcase your strengths and what you can offer to potential employers. In 3 to 4 concise lines, summarise who you are, highlighting your key skills and qualities that would benefit the organisation. Clearly state what you are seeking in your career and why you are the ideal candidate for the role. Focus on your relevant experiences, academic achievements, and any specific attributes that set you apart from other candidates.

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Education & Qualifications

Begin by listing your degree title (e.g., BA, BSc) along with the institution where you studied, the dates of attendance and your final/predicated grade. You may also want to highlight any key modules, major projects, research, or your dissertation if they are particularly relevant to the role you're applying for. 

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Below your degree, include your A-levels (or equivalent), listing subjects and grades. If you have substantial work experience or want to keep this section concise, you can summarise these results. If your GCSE grades are significantly lower than your A-levels, you might prefer to summarise your GCSE results rather than listing each subject.

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Be sure to include any work-based training or certifications relevant to the job, such as First Aid or Health and Safety courses. Additionally, list any professional memberships or affiliations, especially those related to your field, as these demonstrate your commitment to continuous development.​

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Employment History/Work Experience

Always start with the most recent position first. Include both relevant industry experience and non-industry roles, such as part-time or temporary jobs. Even if your experience isn't directly related to the field you're applying for, it can still be valuable—employers appreciate a diverse range of experiences and the transferable skills they bring.

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For each role, provide the following details:

• Job title,

• Name of the organisation,

• Dates of employment (month and year),

• Key responsibilities

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Use bullet points to describe your duties, tailoring them to reflect the skills or qualifications the employer is seeking. Focus on at least 3 key achievements from each role, using quantitative data where possible (e.g., "Increased sales by 15%" or "Managed a team of 5"). This helps demonstrate the impact you've made in previous roles.

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Don’t forget to include part-time work, internships, or volunteer roles. Highlight the soft skills gained, such as communication, teamwork, or time management, that are relevant to the position you're applying for.

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Lastly, there’s no need to include salary details or explain reasons for leaving previous positions.

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Voluntary & Leadership Experience

Including voluntary or unpaid work on your CV is an excellent way to demonstrate your passion, dedication, and strong work ethic to potential employers. It showcases your willingness to learn new skills, gain diverse experiences, and contribute to your community. 

 

Include any charity work or voluntary experiences you have participated in, as they provide valuable evidence of your proactivity and transferable skills. For each entry, mention your role, the organisation, and the dates of your involvement. This information not only enriches your CV but also illustrates your ability to collaborate with others and make a positive impact.

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Be sure to highlight any positions of responsibility, such as leading a society, captaining a sports team, or initiating a book club, as these roles reflect your leadership abilities and commitment.

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Skills & Achievements

While the skills and achievements section is not always required on a CV, it can be a valuable addition, especially if your CV is somewhat sparse. This section allows you to highlight specific abilities and accomplishments that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. If you choose to include it, consider focusing on 5 to 6 key skills that align with the job description.

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For each skill, provide a strong example that illustrates how you have effectively applied it in real-life situations. These skills can be drawn from various experiences, including education, work, voluntary activities, or extracurricular involvement.

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To maximise impact, order the skills by their relevance to the job role, prioritising those that the employer is specifically looking for. This targeted approach not only showcases your qualifications but also demonstrates your understanding of the role and how you can contribute to the organisation.

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Interests & Hobbies

As above, this section is not typically required on your CV. However, it can be useful for enhancing your application, particularly if you need to fill out your CV a bit.

 

When listing interests and hobbies, focus solely on those that are relevant to the role you are applying for and that complement your skills and experience. Avoid including general activities such as socialising with friends  as these do not provide any significant value.

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Additionally, consider whether any hobbies could interfere with your work or pose a conflict of interest. Ultimately, if an interest does not enhance your profile or support your application, it’s advisable to omit it.

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References

Including references on your CV is no longer a standard requirement at the early stages of the application process. Employers typically request references only once you’ve progressed further in the hiring process. Instead of listing specific references, you can simply include the phrase "References available upon request" at the end of your CV, although even this is optional.

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If references are requested later, ensure you have checked with your referees in advance and obtained their permission to share their contact details. This shows professionalism and respect for their time.