So, you’re looking for a job. Maybe it’s your first job; maybe it’s your first job on a new career path; maybe it’s just time for a change. No matter the reason you need one, writing a new CV can be a daunting task. But it doesn’t have to be! Your CV is often the first impression you will make on a potential employer. It’s your chance to show them why you would be a great candidate for the job.
Why Do I Need a CV?
Your CV introduces you to employers, highlighting your education, achievements, skills, and experience. It’s your personal career summary, like your professional story written down. Writing a CV isn’t hard, but there are things you can do to make yours stand out.
What Should My CV Look Like?
A CV is usually a practical document, which, in most cases, should be clean, simple, and professional. Your CV will include your contact details, a short bio, your education, and work experience. It will also cover your skills, hobbies, and achievements, and include your references.
Not sure where to start? You can download a free CV template and get more practical, detailed advice on how to create yours here.
Writing a Strong CV
Imagine two equally strong candidates are competing for the same job. Both have submitted a CV for the role. All the employer knows about them is what is written on their CVs. Both list fundraising experience. The first candidate writes that they “helped organise a fundraiser.” The second writes that they “organised a successful fundraiser, raising €500 for charity.” Which candidate do you think will be called for an interview?
Here are some ways to make yourself stand out:
- Be honest: Don’t exaggerate your skills or experience. Employers will check your references and it will soon become obvious if you have stretched the truth.
- Use strong, positive language: Like in the example of the two fundraisers, use action words to talk about your achievements and experience. Words like managed, created, and organised are a good place to start.
- Tailor your CV: Tweak your CV to highlight your most relevant skills and experience. Your IT skills may not impress a restaurant manager and your kitchen experience may not be useful in an office!
- Keep it simple: The person reading your CV should be able to understand your skills and experience quickly.
- Check the little details: Proofread your CV to check for spelling and grammar errors. Better yet, ask someone you trust to look over it for you.
What if I don’t have any work experience?
Don’t worry! Everyone has to start somewhere and employers know that. Not having had a job before doesn’t mean you don’t have any relevant experience. You can highlight things like:
- Volunteering: Whether for charity or just something you enjoy doing, volunteering builds many skills that are essential for work.
- Organising events: Event organisation involves teamwork, problem-solving, time management, and lots more.
- Teamwork: Highlight any team sports or group projects you have taken part in.
- Hobbies: Reading shows you can focus on one thing and have strong literacy skills. Photography shows your creativity and has many business uses. Making music showcases determination and patience.
Here is an example: “Organised weekend trips for my scout troop, developing strong teamwork, communication, and time management skills.”
Standing Out From the Crowd
Use the Skills Summary tool to showcase all of your abilities. Your personal Skills Summary complements your CV: it outlines your life skills and gives examples of how you’ve used them. Including this with your CV can help employers see your potential.
Other Things to Consider
This post only scratches the surface! There is a lot more information about creating your perfect CV in the Resources section of the Skills Summary website. Here are some things to think about:
- Your online presence: Before you apply for a job make sure you have nothing publicly accessible that you would not wish a potential employer to see. This includes sensitive personal information.
- At home or abroad: If you’re applying for jobs in other countries, your CV will look different. Make sure to research what is typical to include in the country you hope to work in. In some places, your photo is expected; this is not the case in Ireland.
- Applying online or in person: Retail, hospitality, and seasonal jobs may still accept CVs in person. Even if they ask you to apply online, meeting the manager and making a good first impression can help you get an interview. Office and corporate roles will likely prefer online submission and you should follow their instructions carefully.
- Appropriate information: Certain personal information is protected and your employer cannot ask for it and will not expect you to share it. This includes your date of birth, health conditions, your nationality, and your marital status.
Getting Started
You don’t need to be actively looking for a job to start writing your CV. In fact, starting before you are under any pressure is a great idea. Start writing your Skills Summary today! And remember, it’s not just about years of experience, it’s about showing an employer what you can bring to the role.
Skills Summary is an easy-to-use online tool that measures the skills young people gain by participating in non-formal education such as youth work, volunteering, and other out-of-school opportunities. Skills Summary supports young people to recognise their strengths, prepares them to enter the workforce, helps youth workers support them as they make this transition, and helps employers better understand the value of non-formal education. You can explore the tool, sign up to use it, and find associated resources here.