It’s never too early to start creating your CV, as it is something that you will need to use and add to throughout your career. It is also a requirement when applying for apprenticeships.
Your CV should highlight your skills, qualities, and strengths. A well written CV could be the difference in getting your dream interview or not.
Here are our top tips for what to include:
Personal Statement
This is a place for you to briefly introduce yourself to an employer. Keep it short, sweet, and relevant to the kind of role you are looking for. Your personal statement should allow you to create a positive first impression that you can reinforce during an interview.
Education
List your most recent education first. Include the name of the institution, when you studied there, the qualification and the grade. If you haven’t received your GCSE results yet, you can put in predicted grades, but make sure this is clearly stated.
Technical Skills
Listing your key technical skills will show that you have real initiative and interest in your chosen field. Always be honest about your skill level. Employers aren’t looking for the finished article in an apprentice, so don’t be tempted to say you are an expert in HTML if you are really only a beginner.
Soft Skills
While technical skills can look great on a CV, employers also look out for human skills, often called “soft skills.” These are the attributes that make someone a great employee, and usually can’t be taught. You could include skills like time management, teamwork, creativity, communication and problem solving.
Work Experience
Even if your experience isn’t relevant to the position you are applying for, it can still support your soft skills. For example, if you have experience in retail, this can demonstrate customer service skills, which can be transferrable across many industries.
Don’t worry if you haven’t had a job yet, as experience is not an entry requirement for apprenticeships. If you have done any volunteering or work experience while at school, this can also be used to fill out this section.
Interests
Employers often look through hundreds of CVs, so you should try and make yours stand out from the crowd. Let your personality shine through by including some of your interests outside of work. Instead of saying you enjoy “socialising with friends”, try including something a bit different in order to catch the reader’s attention.
If possible, include hobbies that show off your transferable skills. For example, being on a sports team demonstrates commitment and teamwork, and learning an instrument shows dedication and creativity.
References
References are a way for employers to confirm the skills that you have listed on your CV. A referee could be a manager, teacher, or anyone else who has known you academically or professionally. Make sure you pick people who you’ve had a good relationship with, as they should be able to testify to your skills and abilities. Instead of listing their contact details, you can write “references available on request”.
CV CHecklist – What to dO Before You Send Your CV:
- Include your contact details such as phone number and email address
- Use a professional email address that you check regularly
- Check your spelling and grammar
- Use simple, readable fonts and formatting
- Include a cover note if you’re applying for a specific job
Things to Avoid When Writing a CV:
- Don’t write the words “curriculum vitae” at the top – leave your name as the title. This also applies to file names if you are sending your CV digitally.
- Don’t make your CV too long (no more than two sides of A4)
- Don’t lie about your achievements – it could make for an awkward interview!