How to write a CV
A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a statement about you. Its purpose is to provide a prospective employer with information about you and your skills, experience and personal qualities relevant to a particular position.
A CV should list essential information about you, what you have learned and accomplished regardless of where or when you obtained your knowledge and experience and regardless of position titles or pay.
Obtain the Position Description and focus the content of your CV on the knowledge, skills, competence and experience required.
There is no set way to prepare a CV. The following is one suggestion:
Name
Give your full name. Perhaps underline your preferred given or first name.
Address
Give an address where you can be contacted.
Telephone number
Give a telephone number where you can be contacted or where a message can be left.
Date of birth
Optional - you are not required to give your date of birth.
Qualifications
List your most recent position first and work backwards in time. Give the name of your employer, location, the position title and number of years in the position. Identify key responsibilities, experience, skills, and achievements you have gained in each position that is relevant to the vacancy you are applying for. Please also ensure that your CV provides evidence of the competencies relevant to the position as detailed in the Position Description.
Unpaid work, community, family and other experience
Outline community, family, unpaid work or other experience that you have had and how this is relevant to the vacancy you are applying for.
Training
List any training you have received, eg attendance at short courses, oral communication, effective writing etc.
Referees
Optional - if you wish, list some referees who can speak about your work and/or community involvement. Give their names, addresses and telephone numbers. Check that they are happy to be contacted.
Further information
You may wish to add further information about yourself which will add to the knowledge that the employer may gain about your skills and competence for the position. List other attainments and qualifications not already mentioned. You may also, if you wish, attach copies of any recent written reference(s) that you hold.
Also remember
It is not necessary to enclose your CV in a folder or binder as these are often discarded when your application is filed. It is important, however, that all photocopies of papers provided are good clean copies and of A4 size. Keep it brief, up to date and focused on the knowledge, skills and experience relevant to the vacancy.
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