Weeks 22-4: One to One Reviews and Writing your CV 

One to One tutorial time gives you time to think about how you are getting on at College. 

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Week 22: Writing Your CV

Many job adverts and companies ask for an up to date CV when you apply for jobs.

 

CV means Curriculum Vitae (Latin) and it means a document where you list your qualifications, experience and skills.

 

Good CVs should be about 2 pages long, and need to be honest and to the point. They also need to have perfect spelling and presentation. This is you, on a page. It will get you an interview. It has to look good.

 

Activity:

The first section of any CV before you include your qualifications should be a paragraph about your Personal Qualities. These are about your skills and about yourself. They tell the employer lots about your attitude and how you will behave as an employee.

 

Before you start writing. Look at these qualities that employers are generally looking for:

 

Flexible

Competent

Reliable

Motivated

Punctual

Mature

Outgoing

Ambitious

Independent

Calm

Organised

Problem solver

Strong Communicator

IT skills

 

 

1. Think about what each means and an example you could use of when you've demonstrated these qualities. You might be asked about these in an interview.

 

2. Do a bit of research. Are there any special qualities needed for the career or job you want to apply for?

For example to be a good nurse you need to be:

• caring

• strong empathy for others etc.

 

To be a good car mechanic you need to be:

• interested in how things work

• methodical in how you do things etc.

 

Find some more qualities which apply to the career or job you are interested in.

 

 

Now you need to put these qualities into your  Personal Qualities paragraph

 

3. Look at these two examples below of a personal qualities paragraph. Which one is good and which one is bad? 

 

 

 

Example 1:

I am a very motivated and conscientious student who enjoys practical work and all aspects of Hairdressing. I love working in the college's commercial salon. I am a very outgoing person and I particularly enjoy working with clients. I have excellent communication skills and have lots of experience doing client consultations and acting professionally in front of customers. I have often worked on reception answering the telephone calls and taking bookings. I am calm and organised under pressure, and am reliable and have 100% attendance record at college. I am very creative and always interested in new styles and the latest trends in hairdressing. Last year I took part in skills competitions and got through to the regional final in colouring. 

 

Example 2:

I have worked in hairdressing salons for three years, mainly washing hair and helping cover to answer the phone at lunchtimes. I am 19 years old and I like all things to do with hairdressing. I am a really good worker and have got my Level 2 already in Hair which I did in two years. I can colour hair and do foiling but I prefer to cut hair and I do this for my friends and family. I love going out and socialising at weekends and I am very outgoing and a cheerful person. 

 

Can you spot the qualities, skills of these learners and examples of how they've demonstrated them? Who does it best?

 

3. Now you have a go at writing your personal qualities paragraph. 

 

Tips:

• Use words from the list above that describe your qualities

• Use qualities needed for your career choice

• Give professional examples that show experience if you can

• Don't include anything that could look unprofessional