When applying for jobs or University places it is useful to have had a vocationally relevant period of work experience. Many students on vocational courses have this as part of their course organised by their course tutors. If it is not part of your course, consider ways in which you can get some work experience in the summer holidays. 

 

What you need to apply for a job or for a work experience placement:

• A Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Covering Letter

 

CVs:   EMPLOYERS SAY KEEP IT SHORT/MAKE IT SIMPLE/KEEP IT CLEAR

 

Employers may on average spend 20-30 seconds scanning a CV to decide if it is worth reading in detail.  Your aim should be to achieve maximum impact and clarity, and to present yourself and your achievements in the most effective way.  It should be word-processed.

Use this CV builder to help you. 

 

 

 

 

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CV checklist:

• Includes: your name, address, telephone number(s) and email address; details about your skills and work experience; your education and qualifications; other skills and achievements.

• Printed on good-quality white or cream paper, separate from any covering letter, probably on one side of A4. Send by email if appropriate. 

• Clear and well presented. Use headings and bullet points, and an easy-to-read font. 

• Spelling and grammar are all accurate and double checked.

• Included all relevant skills you have developed in work-experience placements, voluntary work or through your interests. 

• If you have not yet left school/college, list the qualifications you will be taking and the date, possibly with predicted grades.

• Adapted the CV to draw attention to your individual strengths or to suit a particular job that you are applying for. Make sure the most important information catches the reader’s eye. 

• You may prefer to put, 'names of referees are available on request', rather than name them on your CV.

• If you are responding to a job advertisement, make sure that the CV shows how you meet the criteria listed. You can customise your CV for a particular job vacancy, so that relevant skills and experience are emphasised. Alternatively, you can use your standard CV for all applications, but highlight relevant skills/experience in your covering letter.

• If you are sending a CV speculatively (‘on spec’) to an employer to enquire about possible opportunities, you should include a covering letter.