When it comes to applying for a new job, your CV could be just
the ticket to get you that initial foot in the door and secure an
interview – but how do you ensure your CV is added to the interview pile
rather than thrown straight in the bin?
Putting together a successful CV is easy once you know how. It's a case of taking all your skills and experience and tailoring them to the job you're applying for. But what if you don't meet the right criteria? Well, I've put together the following tips to help you get started in creating a successful CV and securing your first (or next) arts job.
Always remember the CV hotspot – the upper middle area of the first page is where the recruiter's eye will naturally fall, so make sure you include your most important information there.
Create a unique CV for every job you apply for. You don't have to re-write the whole thing, just adapt the details so they're relevant.
Really get to grips with the valuable skills and experience you have gained from past work positions, even if it was just working in a restaurant – every little helps.
This content was originally published by Creative Boom
Putting together a successful CV is easy once you know how. It's a case of taking all your skills and experience and tailoring them to the job you're applying for. But what if you don't meet the right criteria? Well, I've put together the following tips to help you get started in creating a successful CV and securing your first (or next) arts job.
Get the basics right
There
is no right or wrong way to write a CV but there are some common
sections you should cover. These include: personal and contact
information; education and qualifications; work history and/or
experience; relevant skills to the job in question; own interests,
achievements or hobbies; and some references.
Presentation is key
A
successful CV is always carefully and clearly presented, and printed on
clean, crisp white paper. The layout should always be clean and well
structured and CVs should never be crumpled or folded, so use an A4
envelope to post your applications.Always remember the CV hotspot – the upper middle area of the first page is where the recruiter's eye will naturally fall, so make sure you include your most important information there.
Stick to no more than two pages of A4
A
good CV is clear, concise and makes every point necessary without
waffling. You don't need pages and pages of paper – you just keep things
short and sweet. A CV is a reassurance to a potential employer, it's a
chance to tick the right boxes. And if everything is satisfied, there's a
better chance of a job interview. Also, employers receive dozens of CVs
all the time so it's unlikely they'll read each one cover to cover.
Most will make a judgment about a CV within sections, so stick to a
maximum of two pages of A4 paper.
Understand the job description
The
clues are in the job application, so read the details from start to
finish. Take notes and create bullet points, highlighting everything you
can satisfy and all the bits you can't. With the areas where you're
lacking, fill in the blanks by adapting the skills you do have. For
example, if the job in question requires someone with sales experience,
there's nothing stopping you from using any retail work you've
undertaken – even if it was something to help pay the bills through
university. It will demonstrate the skills you do have and show how
they're transferable.
Tailor the CV to the role
When
you've established what the job entails and how you can match each
requirement, create a CV specifically for that role. Remember, there is
no such thing as a generic CV. Every CV you send to a potential employee
should be tailored to that role so don't be lazy and hope that a
general CV will work because it won't.Create a unique CV for every job you apply for. You don't have to re-write the whole thing, just adapt the details so they're relevant.
Making the most of skills
Under
the skills section of your CV don't forget to mention key skills that
can help you to stand out from the crowd. These could include:
communication skills; computer skills; team working; problem solving or
even speaking a foreign language. Skills can come out of the most
unlikely places, so really think about what you've done to grow your own
skills, even if you take examples from being in a local sports team or
joining a voluntary group – it's all relevant.
Making the most of interests
Under
interests, highlight the things that show off skills you've gained and
employers look for. Describe any examples of positions of
responsibility, working in a team or anything that shows you can use
your own initiative. For example, if you ran your university's newspaper
or if you started a weekend league football team that became a success.
Include
anything that shows how diverse, interested and skilled you are. Don't
include passive interests like watching TV, solitary hobbies that can be
perceived as you lacking in people skills. Make yourself sound really
interesting.
Making the most of experience
Use
assertive and positive language under the work history and experience
sections, such as "developed", "organised" or "achieved". Try to relate
the skills you have learned to the job role you're applying for. For
example: "The work experience involved working in a team," or "This
position involved planning, organisation and leadership as I was
responsible for a team of people".Really get to grips with the valuable skills and experience you have gained from past work positions, even if it was just working in a restaurant – every little helps.
Including references
References should be
from someone who has employed you in the past and can vouch for your
skills and experience. If you've never worked before you're OK to use a
teacher or tutor as a referee. Try to include two if you can.
Keep your CV updated
It's
crucial to review your CV on a regular basis and add any new skills or
experience that's missing. For example, if you've just done some
volunteering or worked on a new project, make sure they're on there –
potential employers are always impressed with candidates who go the
extra mile to boost their own skills and experience.This content was originally published by Creative Boom
Katy
Cowan runs the Creative Boom website voluntarily – she is a trained
journalist, writer and PR professional. Follow her and Creative Boom on
Twitter @Creative_Boom
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