1. CV Writing
Rachel Heyes
Tutor
The Manchester College

2. Theterm curriculum vitae, or CV, literally
means ‘course of life’
What is a CV?

3. Opportunity to:
Sell your skills
Highlight
your strengths and
achievements
Grab the interest of the recruiter
Why use a CV?

4. Do not list all your achievements and
experiences on your CV
Include the most current and those that
are the most relevant to the role for
which you are applying
Keep you CV fresh (Updated)
CV Dos and Don’ts

5. Personal Details – Name, Surname,
address, Contact Number, Professional Email
Education – Reverse Chronological Order
inc. Dates, Name of Institution and Town
Experience – All inc. Voluntary/Shadowing
Positions of responsibility, achievement,
interests – Well Rounded, Potential Subject
Matter at Interview ie. Scouts, Animals,
Team Sports, Athletics
Referees
CV Format

6. Clear, brief, easily scanned
Ideally the font size of regular text is 11
or 12
You should be able to hold your CV at
arm’s length and still read it comfortably
Avoid large blocks of text that won’t be
read
Split information into individually focused
bullet points
CV Layout

7. 1-2 Pages Max
Good Quality Paper
Correct Spelling/Grammar
Avoid Graphics/Tables/Charts
Avoid Humour
Avoid Coloured Paper
CV Presentation

8. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00majze-z
CV Video

9. Template (Handout)

10. On my current media scheme, I am gaining skills through college based learning aswell as work
based placements. I enjoy scripting and filming my own work in my spare time. I also volunteer on a
Wednesday at the BBC’s kit hire department; DV Solutions.
Media Experience
Sept 2010- March 2012
Advanced Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media, which is a work-based training scheme for
the media industries supported by the BBC, Manchester College and Vision+Media. The
Apprenticeship involves full-time work placements with broadcasters, independent companies and
other media organisations in the North West, plus training in production skills from the Manchester
College. I have had such experience as:
February 2011- Sept 2011
Work placement at DV Solutions (BBC kit hire)
• Equipment maintenance
• Dealing with the booking and hiring of kit
• Gave advice and help on equipment
Sept 2010- Dec 2010
The Manchester College, Manchester.
• Film production shown in Corner House Theatre
• Journalism Workshop
• Volunteered at the ‘Meet the Commissioners Event’ at Media City on two occasions
Other media experience separate from the scheme:
.
August 2011
Volunteered on the BBC interactive day at The Cliff training ground.
Example (Handout)
• Helped introduce school children to interactive green-screen.
July 2011
Assisted on filming a music video at the Ruby Lounge, Manchester.
• I was in charge of operating two cameras to capture a live performance.
June 2011

11. 1. Job Advert
2. CV
3. Portfolio
Today’s Tasks

12. Select a Job Advert for a position that you
feel you could apply for:
◦ http://jobs.guardian.co.uk/jobs/media/
◦ http://ijobs.independent.co.uk/jobs/media/
◦ http://jobs.thetimes.co.uk/jobs/marketing-
media/
◦ http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/
◦ http://www.campaignjobs.co.uk/
◦ http://www.mediaweekjobs.co.uk/
◦ http://www.bectu.org.uk/news/ssr
◦ http://www.productionbase.co.uk/
◦ http://www.mandy.com/
Task – Step 1

13. Write a CV
◦ That meets the requirements of the job
advertised
Task – Step 2

14. Provide examples of your own work
(relevant to the job application)
◦ Such as:
 Portfolio – Photos, Audio Clips, Videos
◦ Hard Copies, DVDs, CDs, USB
 Online Portfolio, Website or Blog
 Facebook Page (Professional)
 Twitter (Professional)
 LinkedIn
 YouTube Channel (Professional)
All should be professional standards!!!
Task – Step 3