In my latest piece for Twinkl Educational Publishing I start a new four-part series on how teachers can help their students take their first steps into the job market and give them a solid understanding of the art of CV writing. But these tips aren't solely for young people, so take a look if you're thinking of making a change, or just need to update your CV.
Why a CV Matters More Than You Think
A CV is the key that opens doors to professional opportunities. There’s a little bit more to it than just listing qualifications, experience and what you like to do in your spare time. Everything you do with it is important, from the very words you choose right down to the way you lay it out.
Begin by understanding the purpose of a CV: to showcase their skills, experiences, and qualifications. It's a first impression on potential employers.
Think about how the structure, presentation and word choice will affect a CV’s chances of getting an interview.
Organising Your CV: Making it ‘Scannable’
Explain the concept of a ‘scannable’ CV - one that is easy to skim while retaining vital information. Use formatting techniques such as bullet points and bold headings to create an eye-catching document that flows off the page.
But the first port of call for a CV might be an automated system. If that's the case, they'll have an algorithm which will ‘scan’ it.
The system will look for keywords (which we’ll talk about later). If a CV is not structured in a way that allows this, the system will struggle to pick up the information. This is bad news for the CV, and could end up in the bin before it’s even looked at by a person.
Keeping it organised also helps a human set of eyes to scan it easily for the information they’re after. That CV has seconds to make an impression. If it isn’t easy on the eyes, it will go in the bin.
Break down the structure into sections, making it easier for both employers and automated systems to navigate. You can teach students the importance of a clear hierarchy: put crucial details at the forefront.
Check out this Curriculum Vitae Activity Sheet.
Personal Details, Education, Work Experience, and Skills
Each section of a CV serves a purpose. Outlined below is a breakdown of a good CV (in order) and with what content goes in each section:
Personal Details: Name, contact information, and professional social media profiles. This is best in a banner across the top in a bigger font, with links built into each word.
Relevant Skills/Personal Statement: This is the scannable part. Here is where you highlight experience and qualifications. And link them to the job criteria. Bullet point any relevant key skills too. This will make the most of those precious few seconds a CV has with an employer.
Work Experience: Guide students to focus on accomplishments instead of job descriptions. They should quantify their achievements with specific examples: ‘I did X and the outcome was Y’.
Education: This is where pupils can show off the most. If they do any extracurricular activities, projects, or additional coursework and subjects, this is where they can mention them. If they don't have grades yet, add their predictions instead.
Other Training/Qualifications: Anything else achieved outside of school or work.
Volunteering: Laid out like work experience, but paid experience always trumps volunteering.
Hobbies & Interests: This should be the shortest part. But it can be the most memorable, too. Help pupils add hobbies and interests that stand out, or complement the job title. Maybe they develop minigames, host a YouTube channel, or like to cook?
Find Anything Useful?
If any of this has been helpful, please head over to the original article for more information. Or, if you need help with finding the right words or crafting a professional looking CV, head over to my website and get in touch, I offer a range of CV and Cover Letter services to help you secure that interview!
Comments