CV writing guide

Creating a CV should be a lengthy process, given that you will need to summarize all your relevant experience to dateThis is your opportunity to sell your skills and experience to potential employers, you need to ensure that each area - from your personal profile to your qualifications and education – is accurate and relevant.

You should also view your CV as a working document, designed to be continually honed and edited as you gain experience and new skills.  

It’s also important to consider how professional development fits in. Employers are increasingly interested in how you can add value to their organisation, in addition to your profile as a researcher.

To help your CV stand out, try not to  use a standard template.   There are many examples of potential templates on the web. The following links act as a guide to the most popular formats used in the UK:

• Academic CV
• Chronological CV
• Competency-based CV

Remember, you’ll need to ensure that your CV is always adapted according to the specifications of the role you’re applying for.

 Make sure you consider and research these key points of information prior to submitting the CV and application:

• Your work experience relating to the job specification
• Your skills relating to the job specification
• Your knowledge of the employer
• Who will be reading the CV – someone in the human resources department, or the person directly responsible for recruiting the role

It’s also expected that you submit a cover letter with the CV, outlining why you think you’re suitable for the position and showing your knowledge of the organisation. This should relate to the information included in your CV and highlight areas of expertise.

When your final draft is complete, make sure you read through and check against the following:

• Spelling and grammar – a common mistake, but very off-putting to potential employers
• Formatting and layout – is spacing consistent throughout? Does it look neat?
• Dates – are all the dates correct?
• References – are you sure that the references you need to provide are happy to be contacted on your behalf?
• Amount of information – is the information you’ve included relevant to the role you’re applying for? The general rule in the UK is that CVs should be no more than two pages long.
• Keywords – have you included relevant keywords? Prospective employers will want to skim-read, but providing eye-catching keywords can enhance your application