Writing your CV can be a daunting task. Writing your first-ever CV can be even more of a challenge. Here is how to get it right.

Your CV is a written document where you list lots of details about your skills, education, knowledge and work experience (if you have any).

You send your CV to employers to apply for jobs, often with a covering letter.  They will review your CV to decide whether or not they think you are suitable to interview.

To write a good CV and ensure you include information required of your potential employer, follow the steps below.

To get started, you should write your CV using a writing software tool like Microsoft Word, or Google Docs – they are really easy to use. To create a professional-looking CV which is easy for employers to read, the key is to keep it simple. Use a clear font like Arial or Tahoma, and divide the sections of your CV clearly with bold headings.

Make sure to keep the CV between one and two pages long so it doesn’t take long to read – it should never be longer than this!

Writing a CV

To give employers the information they want to know, here’s how to write a good CV:

1) Name and contact details

Head your CV with your name, telephone number, location (town/city) and email address, so that employers can easily see how to contact you. Be sure to use a professional-looking email address, and not one that includes nicknames.

2) CV profile/personal statement

You should start your CV with a profile or personal statement. This is a short paragraph which summarises your skills, education and knowledge. This will introduce you, and show employers how you are suitable for the job candidate.

3) Education

Employers will want to know how well you’ve performed in school or college, and what skills you’ve learnt along the way. List all of the institutions you’ve studied at, and detail the subjects you’ve studied along with your exam grades or predicted results. List your education in reverse chronological order (that means starting with the most recent, and working your way to the oldest).

4) Hobbies and interests

You can also add your hobbies and interests to give your CV an extra boost.

For example, playing sports can show you are motivated and a strong team player.

Volunteering for a charity can show you have good people skills and are willing to help others.

5) Work experience

If you have any work experience, list your jobs in reverse chronological order (starting with the most recent and working backwards). Give details of the company you worked for, dates you worked there, and your job title. Then use bullet points to demonstrate what skills you used in the job, and how you helped your employer.

6) References

When applying for any job in the future you need to give the names of two people who would be willing to comment on you as a person and how good you are at your job. Normally it is your last employer and a friend (but they cannot be a family member or someone you live with) who has known you for a long time. For your first time you should put down the name of a teacher but you must ask that person first before you put them down as your reference – it is considered polite!