Writing a school leaver CV
Writing a CV after leaving school with little, if any job experience, can be a worrying task. Here are a few simple tips and ideas to help you write an impressive school leavers CV.
Firstly, let's start with what information should be found in your CV and in what order:
What information should be on a CV?
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Personal details- including name, address, postcode, telephone number & e-mail address.
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Education
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Qualifications
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Skills & personal qualities
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Employment history and experience (if you are a school leaver, this will not apply)
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Any special skills e.g. driving licenses, any other languages spoken etc
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Interests, hobbies and achievements
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Referees
First thing to remember is that for every job you apply for you should really alter your CV as different job positions can bring out different qualities.
Your CV will be the first thing that a potential employer will see, it's the thing that will get you an interview so you need to highlight just how good you can be in a potential area of work.
Make sure you're concise with all the information you include and don't be afraid to boast about your achievements no matter how insignificant they may seem to you as you would be surprised in what employers are interested in. In your CV, ideally you should explain what appeals to you and why you want to get in the industry you have applied for.
Don't forget
Along with you CV you will need to send a covering letter. For more information on how to write a cover letter, go to our page
CV Dos and Don'ts
Do
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Adapt each CV to the job you're applying for - This doesn't necessarily mean writing a new CV every time you apply for a job. You have just to edit some sections to make it more specific rather than being vague.
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Keep you school leaver CV concise - Never make your CV any longer than two sides of A4 paper. School leavers won't have plenty of experience so don't feel like you have to waffle just to fill up both sides - remember its quality over quantity.
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Word process your CV - This way your CV will automatically be checked for spelling and grammar mistakes. It also looks much more professional if your CV is typed up. Make sure you use a font such as Times New Roman or Arial and make sure it's no larger than size 12.
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Proof read your CV-Although typing your CV on a computer will also check spelling and grammar; it's always good to read through it yourself to check that it makes sense and that there are no spelling mistakes.
Dont
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Lie- It's really not worth it because employers will usually have a copy of your school leavers CV in your interview and may question you about stuff you have mentioned.
How to boost your CV
Volunteering has plenty of benefits, as well as bring a great opportunity to give something back to the community, volunteering looks great on your CV. Volunteering can help boost employability for any job you apply for in the future.
Volunteering can demonstrate that you are a self- motivated person who has a wide range of interests. As well, volunteering is great work experience if you are not sure on what you want to do in the future.
