The Savvy Student: Getting a job: Writing your CV

Hiya people,

Getting a job ey? A "vital part of growing up" that quickly turns into a stressful ordeal filled with writing, applications and the dreaded interviews. Even though getting your first job is something we all have to do, it's surprisingly hard. When I started looking for a job in the summer of 2014, I thought I would be well on my way by the time September came. October came and went and I was still on the hunt. I had interviews, time clashes, job offers I didn't accept... everything! So I though I'd write a couple of posts on getting your first job. Starting with writing your CV!!

This is such a big subject, it's hard to know where to start. So I thought I'd go through my own CV to help some of you that don't know where to begin.

*Ignore the lack of details, I don't really wanna but my real phone number, address and birthday online...*

So this is my CV (imagine it's on a word document and filled out properly!) It's a pretty simple set out but has done the job well enough for me. It's important to include your number and email that you're likely to check. As well as contact details for your referees. Okay, now you've seen the layout and heading on my CV, here are some CV do's and don't':

Do...

Use clear headings, subtitles and bullet points to make it easy to read
Use a professional (or semi professional) email
Use power words that link to the job you're looking for. In general, employers love if you use words like 'motivated' 'hard working' and 'organised'
Have a mini paragraph at the top that just screams 'hire me!!' Highlight your best points and how they're relevant to the job you're applying for. If there are loads CVs to read through, employers won't spend ages sifting through each CV so sell yourself from the start.
Include your grades from Maths and English at GCSE. Even if they weren't the best, it's something employers always like to know
Try to include experience and qualifications that are relevant to the job you're applying for. If you're looking to work in a café and got A* in DT food at GCSE, mention it. No matter how basic it sounds, it shows a base knowledge that sets you apart from others.
Use the previous work to talk about any experience working you have had and the responsibilities/skills you learnt from the experience. As this is your first job, you won't have a previous employer but there's other stuff you could talk about. Babysitting, work experience, volunteering or being paid to waitress at a party all show skills so you should mention them if they're relevant to the job you're applying for.
Use an adult from school or your place of work as a referee. Chances are, they won't contact, but just in case, use someone who will actually help you!
Ask the person to be your referee before putting them on your CV, it's polite
Get someone to proofread your CV once you're done. Just to check for grammar or spelling mistakes that you haven't picked up on
Use your experience to show your skills. Everyone says they're a team player but prove it by talking about your experiences on DofE (for example.)

Don't...

Use lots of different fonts, colours, text effects (underline and bold here and there is acceptable)
Use an unprofessional font e.g comic sans (sorry- it had to be said)
Use the email you made when you were 8 years old 'onedirectionlover564@gmail.com'
Sound cliché by using words or phrases that could obviously apply to everyone or you found online (oops!) like 'I am passionate about everything I do!'
Just list interests and activities that have no relevance to work or skills required. If you're in a lacrosse team, great, that shows team work. If you're applying for a tills job, mentioning that you're an avid bird watcher won't necessarily add anything to your application.
Sound too chatty, this is a business deal and you're trying to sell yourself in a professional way
Use a fake/ family member as a referee, if they contact them, they will be able to see right through the lie
Spell anything wrong... please!!
Lie on your CV. This is your first job, they're not looking for a spectacular CV, just one that shows an enthusiastic, hard working person. Lying is not worth the risk
Keep rambling or repeating yourself. Make your CV short, to the point and easy to read.
Be afraid to sell yourself, but avoid sounding obnoxious and annoying
Forget to write a cover letter!

Generally, CVs are around 2 pages long. I would say any longer and you should start cutting some of it out as it's probably not all relevant. If it's a page or a page and half, that's fine. Just keep it concise, relevant and professional.

Cover Letters

Another important document is your cover letter. Whether you're handing in your CV or applying online, a cover letter sets you apart as it shows a real interest in the job. Again, it's important to stay formal throughout. I always open with 'Dear Sir/Madam'.

In your cover letter, you want to talk a little bit about why you're interested in the job, an outline of why you would be a good fit and a bit on why you would like to work for the company. Doing a bit of background research on the company really helps here. I would also put something like "If you wish to contact me, please feel free to call my mobile on...' This makes it even easier for the company to contact you if they're interested.

Always finish politely. 'I look forward to hearing from you.' is a great one, rounded of with 'Yours faithfully...'

I try to include a cover letter wherever possible because it does show a real enthusiasm and interest that the company will like. Loads of teenagers go around town handing their generic CV's to every café in sight, and companies know that. If you have written a cover letter for each place (even if you just replace some of the names and details on the same letter), it will set you apart. It also means you don't have to change your CV for every job you apply for.

How do you finish a letter/email?

This is relevant throughout the job process. Whether you're applying for a job, emailing about interview times or discussing available roles, it's important to stay formal (or at least polite). So how do you end an email correctly?

I think it's something we all get confused at. 'Yours faithfully' is used when you have not used the name of the recipient (whether you do not know it or it's too formal.) For example, if you start with 'Dear Sir', it's correct to finish with 'Yours Faithfully'.

Whereas 'Yours sincerely' is used when you have used the name of the recipient. So if you have said 'Dear Mr Smith', it is fine to finish with 'Yours Sincerely'.

Something like 'Kind Regards' is less formal and shouldn't be used if the letter/email has been formal throughout.

Well there you go, I hope that helped some of you that are trying to write your CV's! I wanted to write this post because my friend was really struggling finding a job so she asked me to check her CV. She has applied to so many places but just wasn't getting the interviews. When I looked at her CV it was colloquial, had spelling mistakes and wasn't relevant to the jobs she was applying for. It kind of shows how important CVs are, even when you're sixteen!! So if you're struggling, have a look through your CV and make sure it's the best it can be.

I am going to be doing some more posts related to first jobs if you guys want? Let me know if there are any topics in particular (interviews- outfits, questions, confidence or something like balancing work and school.) Just leave a comment below or tweet me if you're interested!

Thanks for reading and see you next time!

Laura Stone x

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