Preparing a CV

The aim of your CV is to get an interview with an employer. Therefore, your CV should give a clear summary of your education, work experience, achievements and abilities.

Personal details

Include:

• Name
• Contact details: Address, telephone/mobile number, email address

Work experience

Start with your most recent job and work back.

Include:

• Date you started and completed this work
• Job title
• Employer’s name and address
• Your responsibilities and duties

Education and training

Start with your most recent course and work back.

Education

Include:         

• Date you started and completed the course
• Level (award) you achieved

Training

Include:

• Date
• Course title
• Course provider
• Certification achieved

Work skills

List any skills or knowledge that you did not include under education and training.

Include:

• Languages
• Computer skills
• Driving licence

Hobbies and interests

Include:

• Responsibilities, for example, captain of local hurling team
• Achievements, for example, winner of 10K road race

Referees

It is acceptable to say:

• References available on request

CV checklist

The CV should:

• have a clear layout,
• be 1 to 2 A4 pages in length only,
• contain no spelling, grammar or punctuation errors
• use bold print to highlight headings, qualifications, names of employers and positions held,
• use the same font and size throughout. For example, this page uses the Arial font with the main text in 12 point size and the headings in 14 point.
  
  
  

Why should I include a personal profile?

It tells the interviewer at a glance what you have to offer and what type of position you are interested in. A personal profile is a short paragraph that goes near the top of your CV. If you are applying for different jobs, you should adapt your personal profile and CV to suit each job.

What if there are gaps in my employment history?

If there are gaps in your employment history, try to give positive details about how you used your time during the gaps. For example, you may have taken a year out to travel, worked as a volunteer on a particular project, returned to college to study and so on. It’s best if you can give good reasons for the gaps rather than leave questions for the reader.