The Ultimate Guide to CVs | A guide to writing a winning CV to get you into employment. A CV is the first impression that an employer gets about you so it is really important that you use this key tool to sell yourself to the best of your ability. At Apprenticeship Recruitment we can help you prepare and update your CV with all you need to make it the best possible and help you to secure employment. For more information about CV writing and job applications or to speak to a member of our staff please call: 0121 707 0550 or e-mail: info@apprenticeshiprecruitment.co.uk

2. WHAT IS A CV &
WHY DO I NEED ONE? *
A CV is basically a sales pitch about you on paper.
It is the first thing that an employer is likely to see
in regards to you.
A CV gives an overview of a person showing the employer
within a few seconds if you have the relevant experience,
qualifications, attributes and qualities for the job that
they are looking to fill.

3. Your CV needs to be:
• Clean and tidy.
• Easy to read (clear, standard sized font; not too big or too small).
• On good quality paper (if printed).
• Saved under an easily accessible name on your computer and saved as a
PDF and Word document for uploading.
• Complete with good spelling and grammar.
• A max of two pages long.
• Clear on the message you are trying to get across.
Don’t over complicate it with pictures and clip art etc. and get a friend/family
member/professional with good spelling and grammar to look over your CV and
advise changes – and then make these changes!
FIRST IMPRESSIONS *

4. Just like any other first impression, what you say about yourself will ultimately lead to
success or failure. Therefore you need to make sure that they have all the things right in
front of them that they will need to make a decision.
Contact Details
Include:
• Your Full Name: Should be at the top of the page (no nicknames).
• Home Address: There is varied thought about if you should include this or not, some
people say it might affect an employer’s choice so if in doubt leave it off but if you are
going to include it make sure it is your FULL address with postcode!)
• Mobile Phone and Home Telephone Number: If possible give both because it’s
always good to have more than one way to contact someone and if you lose or break
your mobile you don’t have to miss out.
• E-mail Address: Make sure that it appropriate and try not to put anything in it that
refers to your age or personal taste, just your name is fine.
WHAT TO SAY*

5. Don’t Include
• Driving License: You don’t need to state you have one unless it is a job
that may require driving for the job role.
• Photograph: They don’t need to know what you look like to make a
decision and it may lead to you being unfairly discriminated against.
• Date of Birth: Unless the job requires you to be a certain age
• Ethnicity: This is personal information that could affect an employer’s
impartial judgement.
WHAT NOT TO SAY*

6. Mini Profile/Personal Statement
• Make yourself stand out from the rest! Avoid statements anyone could say
and focus on what makes you special and right for the job.
• Keep it to a short paragraph.
• Ask someone to check it and ask them how you can sell yourself better.
Key Skills and Achievements
• List notable things that you are proud of achieving. This could be passing
your driving test, getting an award at school or in the community/nationally
or a certificate from a class you have taken outside of school/college such
as food hygiene. (Remember to include date achieved).
• If you don’t have any relevant information for this section. Don’t worry, just
leave it out.
WHAT TO SAY*

7. Career History
• List your most recent job, work experience or voluntary work and then work
your way back.
• Write each job title and the dates you worked there from and till and under
each title list your main responsibilities for each job.
• Make sure that all dates match up. Make sure that you can explain any
gaps.
• Don’t make things up because you will get caught out in the interview.
Interests and Hobbies
• Make sure they are all genuine interests because you may be asked about
them during an interview.
• List relevant hobbies to the job.
WHAT TO SAY*

8. Training & Education
• List your education (most recent first). Include your school/college/university,
date attended to and from and what awards you gained e.g. GCSE/Entry
level/AS/A-Level.
• If you have done training at previous employment, voluntary or experience
list this here as well.
• List any outside work skills from things that you are involved with in the local
community for example public speaking.
WHAT TO SAY*

9. People are always asking us what they can do to make themselves stand out.
Sometimes we lack confidence in our skills and abilities or don’t even realise that
we have them.
Writing a CV is the time where we need to put our opinions of not wanting
to show off aside.
Lots of people who come to us also worry because they don’t have lots of work
experience or they haven’t been in employment for a long time but this doesn’t
that you can’t succeed and don’t have something to give to the business that you
are applying for.
THE LITTLE EXTRAS*

10. Here is a list of things that you might think about including to stand out
from the crowd:
• Were you part of a club or group at school/college/university where you had
responsibilities?
• Have you organised events at school/college/university or in the community?
• Have you taken part in something like the Duke of Edinburgh award?
• Have you ever done any voluntary work?
• Have you been part of a society such as girl guides?
• Have you worked in a local charity shop or religious group?
• All of the above will not only show that you have extra skills and abilities that
make you stand out but they will also show that you have a well-rounded life
where you take initiative.
THE LITTLE EXTRAS*

11. Think about the following:
• Having more than one CV: It’s okay to have more than one CV because
different employers will be looking for different things to be highlighted.
• Is it relevant?: Take out unnecessary skills.
• Keep it specific: Use the job description when crafting specific CVs to make
sure you know exactly what they are looking for.
• Stand out: Think about what you have to offer that makes you stand out. If
you find it hard speak to friends or family or one of our advisors.
• You confidence shines through: If you write a CV where you don’t believe in
yourself then an employer will be able to tell. You need to show yourself as a
positive, friendly person so start to believe in yourself.
FINAL THOUGHTS*

12. WANT MORE INFORMATION?*
If you would like any more information,
advice or guidance about writing CV or
applying for Apprenticeships/Jobs:
Call: 0121 707 0550 (and book an
appointment to speak to one of our advisors.)
E-mail: info@apprenticeshiprecruitment.co.uk