1. CV Workbook
Is your CV targeted at the skills and experiences
required in the job for which you are applying?
Use this workbook to improve your CV

2. 1
CONTENTS PAGE
CV Checklist……………………………………………………………… 2
Necessary Preparation
For each vacancy…
1. Research the key skills required…………………………………………………….. 3
2. Identify when you‟ve shown the required skills……………………………………. 4
3. Choose the most appropriate CV format (Skills based or traditional)…………… 4
Writing your CV
General…………………………………………………………………………………….. 5
Personal Details…………………………………………………………………………… 5
Education…………………………………………………………………………………... 6
Work Experience………………………………………………………………………….. 7
Interests……………………………………………………………………………………. 9
Referees…………………………………………………………………………………… 9
Key Words / Positive action words……………………………………………………… 10
Optional Sections (Personal Profile / Positions of Responsibility / Additional Skills) 10
Some Hints on Using Microsoft Word…………………………………………………... 11
Example CVs – Contents…………………………………………………….. 13
Chronological (Traditional)………………………………………………………………. 14
Skills-Based…..…………………………………………………………………………… 18
Academic………………………………………………………………………………….. 22
Leadership
Target your CV at the skills
required in the job
Teamwork
Organisatio
n

3. 2
CV Checklist
You do the work – We‟re there to help
1. Have you targeted your CV at the skills and experience
required? i.e. have you proved that you have the skills
required for the particular role you‟re applying for?
General applications – generally fail
2. Have you demonstrated how you‟ve shown each skill
(Rather than just listed them)?
3. Have you used positive action words and key words from the
personal specification?
4. Have you highlighted the main points?
5. Are the dates easy to see?
6. Have you checked the spelling and grammar?
7. Is it attractive and easy to read?
8 Is your CV short (two pages)?
9. Have you whetted the reader‟s appetite?

4. 3
Preparation
1. Preparation - Research the Skills Required
A CV allows you to present yourself in the
best possible light. It is a great opportunity
for you to relate your skills and Leadership
experiences to those required by each
particular employer.
Organisation
Teamwork
Because no two jobs or organisations are
exactly the same, there is no such thing
as a standard CV. Each time you apply Communication
for a job it‟s up to you to identify the skills
required.
For example: Your CV is your shop-window advertising
 A bar job may require good teamwork skills and excellent verbal communication skills
 A publishers may require good written communication skills and commercial awareness
Most employers require a mix of technical skills and transferable skills such as teamwork
and good organisation
How to find out what skills are required:
1. Look at the organisation‟s web-site
2. Highlight the key words in the personal specification (either published with the
vacancy details or on the employer‟s brochure / website)
3. Look at the skills required for similar vacancies
4. Contact the organisation and ask for an informal chat (good networking
opportunity)
5. Ask yourself what skills would be required in that role.
Remember –
Employers have
The Top 26 Skills Required by Employers about a minute
to read your CV
– if it‟s not
Willingness to learn Flexibility
clearly focussed
Commitment Initiative on the skills
Dependability/reliability Can summarise key issues required it will
Self-motivation Logical argument end up in the bin
Team work Adaptability (intellectual)
Leadership Numeracy
Communication skills (oral) Adaptability (organisational)
Co-operation Can cope with pressure/stress
Communication skills (written) Time management
Drive/energy Rapid conceptualisation of issues
Self-management Enquiry and research skills
Desire to achieve/motivation Self-confidence
Problem solving ability Analytical ability

5. 4
2. Preparation - Identify when you‟ve shown the required skills
Think of a recent time in your life when you have shown each of the key skills
required, e.g. at University, at work or during sporting / social pursuits. Work
experience is particularly attractive to employers.
The table below shows how you might provide evidence for two key skills. Note
how the examples provided are taken from a wide range of activities.
Skill Examples of Evidence Your evidence
Communication  Work experience (everything from 
– Interpersonal bar work to clerical work)
 Course/hall rep
 Students Union network
 Nightlight/Campus Connect
 Mentoring
Communication  Publicity materials for voluntary or 
– Written Students Union society
 Articles for London Student, other
publications, scripts
 Essays, dissertations, projects
3. Preparation - Choose an appropriate CV Format
Most Graduate CVs fall into two categories
Chronological CVs (Traditional) Skills-Based CVs
 Still focussed on skills!  Generally used by students / graduates
 Most common form of CV without much work experience but with
 Effective format for people with relevant all the relevant skills
work experience  Useful when the employer stresses your
 Useful when the employer stresses your skills above your relevant experience
experience  Briefly list your education, work-
 Directly relate each experience experience and interests
(University, work-experience and  Include a skills profile proving that you
interests) to the skills required in the job have the 6/7 skills required in the job
 You choose the headings but include:  You choose the headings but include:
 Personal details  Personal details
 education  Education
 Work Experience  Work experience
 interests  Interests
 Contact details for referees  Skills profile
 Contact details for referees
See examples on page 12
See examples on page 12