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Contact Details
Make sure that you use an address, e-mail and telephone that you can be contacted on after
graduation. If you have a wacky e-mail address you may want to create a new one that gives a
more business-like impression on your CV.
If you are intending to post your CV on the web you may choose to include only your name and
a contact telephone number or e-mail address.
A photo should never be included in a CV that is intended for a job in the UK unless specifically
asked for by the employer.

Personal
Remember, unnecessary information distracts the employer from reading the rest of your CV.
You can leave out any personal information that you think is irrelevant to a particular job
application. Employers can always ask you for more details at the interview. Your covering letter
could include additional personal information such as your willingness to re-locate. See our
Cover Letter Guide.

Personal Profile
Remember, it is all about the employer. He knows that, as a graduate, you are not highly
experienced in the workplace but he will give you a chance to get on the career ladder if you
have the right attitude as well as the right skills.
The purpose of the Personal Profile is to show the employer how you can make a contribution to
his business. He is looking for someone who is enthusiastic, motivated and has a willingness to
learn.
You should include skills, responsibilities and personal qualities but do not be too vague.
Evidence can be taken from your academic life, work experience and outside interests.

The example profile below is a European Studies graduate who worked part-time in a call-centre
during her degree and was involved in various university activities. She is applying for a sales
position.
The attributes relevant to a sales position are:
Keen interest in sales
Experience of working in a target driven sales environment
Good communication skills
Willingness to accept responsibility
Tenacity and enthusiasm
Example Profile
A German and Italian speaking graduate with a keen interest in working in a sales environment.
Has proven sales success in a number of target driven customer service positions including
market research and telesales. Good communication skills and willingness to accept
responsibility is proven by her election as student representative for the Italian department. A
tenacious and enthusiastic individual who is an active member of Cardiff RAG society in which
she has helped raise money for various charities.
Additional Profile Example:
A recent successful Accounting and Financial Management graduate who will shortly complete
their level 1 CFA. Fluent in English, Spanish and French, looking to progress their career in
corporate governance while continuing to obtain their professional qualifications. Willing to
relocate throughout Europe. Very keen to learn and a good communicator, able to accept
responsibility as demonstrated by election as the student council representative within the
University of Bristol.
Additional Profile Example:
An English, Spanish and French speaking graduate with a great work ethic and positive outlook.
Recent experience includes working within the customer service and tourism arenas. Excellent
customer care and communication skills with a keen interest in history both ancient and modern
and a willingness to accept responsibility.
Additional Profile Example:
A creative, original and ambitious graduate with a great work ethic, energy and an eye for detail.
Recent experience includes working as a freelance designer in the print and web media
industries. A genuine team player with good customer care and communication skills and a
willingness to accept responsibility. Enthusiastic and flexible approach to any role undertaken.
Additional Profile Example:
A friendly and professional graduate with customer service, administrative and event
organisation experience. Able to work on own initiative with minimal supervision or as part of a
team. Excellent people management skills, good organisational and planning skills, interpersonal
skills and a keen eye for detail ensuring a productive working environment, good teamwork and
quality customer service.

Profile "Action" Words:


Able, Accomplished, Adaptable, Analytical, Committed, Conscientious, Consistent, Commercial,
Competitive, Creative, Customer-focused, Deadline-driven, Dedicated, Dependable, Disciplined,
Driven, Dynamic, Effective, Energetic, Experienced, Expert, Flexible, Focused, Hands-on,
Hardworking, Highly motivated, High-performing, Honest, Innovative, Meticulous, Motivated,
Multi-task-oriented, Well organised, Outstanding, Passionate, Performance driven, Personable,
Positive, Pragmatic, Proactive, Productive, Proficient, Reliable, Resourceful, Responsible,
Results-oriented, Skilled, Self-motivated, Strategic, Talented, Trustworthy, Versatile, Qualified,

Key Skills
Pick out no more than six from your work experience, education or interests and list these or use
bullet points. Remember, these should say something about you that will impress the employer
and that are relevant to the vacancy. You may find it easier to list your key skills when you have
completed the other sections. If you cannot think of any, it is acceptable to leave this section out
altogether.
Key Skills Examples:
High academic standard Achieved 2:1 degree in Accounting and Financial Management
Excellent Language Skills (English, Spanish, Portuguese and French) both written and oral.
Customer focused with excellent communication skills both written and oral, highly developed
people skills.
Excellent administrative, organisational and time management skills including knowledge of
MS Word and Excel applications.
Able to communicate effectively while providing a professional and friendly service to both
visitors and staff.
Computer literate, able to quickly and accurately enter information into databases, produce
documentation, and supply information.
Highly developed people skills, strong communicator, both written and oral.
Strong organisational skills with the ability to juggle priorities and deliver to deadlines.
Works well as part of a team and individually, at quiet times and under pressure.
Computer literate, experienced in the use of Microsoft office products, Corel Draw, Adobe
Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.
Honest, smart and trustworthy able to work unsupervised with flexibility in respect of working
hours and location.
Up to date knowledge of current trends and styles in high street fashion.
Excellent typographic and layout skills with creative flair and attention to detail.
Experience in a technical role within a challenging, results driven, busy environment with an
ability to motivate, develop and communicate at all levels.
Experience in the implementation, support and maintenance of ICT infrastructure including
LAN, WAN, Citrix, Firewalls, Network attached storage, E-mail and Webb access.
Key Skills Useful Words:

Able, Articulate, Enhanced, Enthusiastic, Energetic, Excellent, Experienced, Monitored,


Prepared, Proposed, Recommended, Recorded, Reduced, Represented, Researched, Resolved,
Solved, Streamlined, Trained, Won, Advised, Consulted, Created, Developed, Documented,
Ensured, Established, Guided, Identified, Improved, Increased, Initiated, Integrated, Managed,
Detail, Strong, Well developed, Pro active, Self motivated, Highly developed.

Education
Start with your most recent qualification, which may be your degree or a post-graduate course.
Do not list every course or module that you have studied but include those that are relevant to the
job for which you are applying including any presentations, projects and travel as part of your
course.
Only include grades if they are impressive.
If you prefer to include your other qualifications you should describe them in one line.
Remember, the employer wants to know your highest and most recent qualifications. Any
unnecessary information will dilute the impact of your CV.
Example 1
Cardiff University, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, 2002-present
Courses and Qualifications
BscEcon European Union Studies
including: Italian language and European Politics which involved study at the University of
Trento, Italy Sept-Dec 2004.
Taking full advantage of her year abroad, she attended courses at the local university, found
accommodation with native speakers and gained experience teaching English as a foreign
language.
Example 2
University College London 2002 - 2005
Courses and Qualifications
BEng Chemical Engineering.
Course included a design project carried out in a small team of 3. The project included the design
of a complete water processing plant, including detailed unit design, environmental impact, risk
assessment and costing.

Work Experience
This is written in reverse chronological order, i.e. beginning with the most recent job listed first.

Both you and the employer know that the university environment is unique and very different to
the full-time workplace. Employers need to have re-assurance that you have had experience in
the real world. Your work experience therefore is very important on your CV, whether it was a
summer job, part-time work, voluntary, or an industrial placement.
Any job will have provided you with valuable skills and experience.
For example: A part-time job in the local petrol station provides cash-handling skills, customer
service experience, diplomacy, stock control, ability to accept responsibility, able to work in a
team and/or work on your own initiative, willing to learn new skills, trustworthiness,
hardworking, able to cope with routine tasks.
Dont forget to refer back to the job advertisement to remind you of the skills the employer is
looking for.
Stress those skills that are relevant to the employers requirements starting with the most
important or impressive and then work backwards. Use the terms responsible for and assisted
with.

Technical Skills
Choose the Technical Skills heading if you are applying for a job with specific technical
requirements such as in engineering, computing or science. If not, just ignore this section.
The employer will be looking for a concise list of technical skills that match his vacancy and is
interested in when you last used each of them, either in a work or academic setting.
This layout helps you to be concise and allows the employer to clearly see that you have the
skills they need.

Professional Training
Choose the 'Professional Training' heading to describe courses and qualifications that you have
completed outside of education. This could include any training you were given during an
industrial placement, work experience or gap year. Remember that employers are looking for
courses that are relevant and qualifications that are current.
If this is not relevant just skip this section.

Additional Skills
Choose the Additional Skills heading to list your general computer skills, languages, and any
extra-curricular courses you have taken outside your degree. Make sure you include the level you

have achieved.
Example of Additional Skills
Languages: German and Italian (4th Year Degree Level)
Excellent computing skills and knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Access
Excellent telephone manner and customer care skills
High level of literacy and numeracy

References
If you are applying for a specific role you should normally include two references.
One should be a reference from your place of study, such as your personal tutor, and one could
be a former employer from paid or unpaid work.
Don't forget to ask for permission before you give anyone's name and details as a reference.
You can tailor your CV to each job application by storing your reference details and each time
you produce a new CV you can choose whether you want to show them by selecting one of three
options:
You can choose References available on request and send the information separately by letter
or email at a later date.
You can choose to include two references.
You can choose not to mention references at all.

Interests
It is a good idea to add some information about how you spend your free time for two reasons:
Firstly, it gives the reader a rounded picture of you as an individual.
Secondly, if invited for interview your interests are often discussed as a soft introduction to the
interview before the more searching questions are asked.
If you include interests in your CV try not to just write a list but include a fuller description of
your involvement. Try and include interests that are unusual or which indicate transferable skills,
achievements or responsibilities.
Dont forget to include gap year activities such as foreign travel or charity work, with a short
description.
2016 CVwriting.net

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