| Advantages of a C.V. | Disadvantages of a C.V. |
| Less paper processing in the office. Less time consuming for applicant. The C.V. may have been prepared from a previous job application with only a few minor adjustments necessary. Applicant can emphasis the points he/she considers important. Applicant’s personality comes across more so in a C.V. than an application form. The applicant can emphasis their own personal achievements more. In a typical application form the ‘any other relevant information’ section may only be a short section at the end of the form. |
Application forms are more structured than
C.V.s. A firm includes in the application form only information which they wish to know about the candidate. This has to be included in an application form. It is easier to compare candidates as application forms for the same job take the same form. C.V.s can take several forms making it difficult for the interviewer. |
General Guidelines
A C.V. should ideally be about one type-written A4 page in length , so all the factual information that you want an employer to know about you can be seen at a glance. You should be able to confine your C.V. to two pages at most. A covering letter, hand-written if your writing is neat, typed if not, is vital, and should make an overall statement about yourself and your suitability for the job.
Headings
The following headings are imperative:
1. Personal Details
Name
Address & Telephone Number (Contact Number, even)
Date of Birth (d.o.b. on many application forms)
2. Education
Second-Level
Name and address of your secondary school
Dates when you were there (i.e. 1979-1984)
Date of GCSE’s, subjects taken and results achieved.
Third Level Education
University/College/Institution’s name and address
Dates you attended
Course/Subjects—examinations and results
Final result expected (e.g., expected result 2:2/2:1)
Completion date of course
If you have particularly good results in specific areas, you should list these. Towards final year, give outlines of content of course, outline nature of major project (if any), together with grades/standards achieved in previous year, if appropriate.
3. Courses
If any additional courses have been undertaken, e.g., Word processing, computer,
childcare, T.E.F.L., etc., these can be listed under the heading “Courses.” Again, dates, institute name, any diploma obtained, and skills acquired should be listed.
4 Work Experience/Employment
List any work experience with the most recent work experience first, and then in decreasing date order. List dates, name of establishment, job title, and areas of responsibility/duties. This section can be entitled “Part-time Work Experience” or something similar. Perhaps “Relevant Experience,” if tailoring your C.V. to a particular job, or “Vacation Work,” if you have only ever held summer posts.
5. Hobbies & Interests
This section can be separated into two categories if you wish. There are a number of ways to set out this section: under “Skills,” or “Leisure Activities.” Your hobbies can either be simply listed, or listed under sub-headings with more detailed information, for example, “Music” being listed as one of your interests or alternatively, you could expand, putting: “Music—I have fairly eclectic taste, from classical to pop and jazz. I play the piano regularly in a local band.”
6. References
It is essential that you would list at least two referees, with their job title, address and telephone number (if available). A personal reference (from school principal/minister of religion/family friend, etc.) and an academic reference (college tutor/school teacher, etc.) will usually suffice. A reference from a previous employer , if you have work experience, should be listed also.
Miscellaneous
Other categories can be listed, such as “Other Skills” (clean driving licence, word processing, computer literacy, etc.). It is not necessary to sign and date your C.V.; but you may do so if you wish. You may send clear photocopies of your C.V. to an employer, but never photocopy your covering letter, always send an original. Fill out an application form if requested, as opposed to sending in your C.V.
N.B. Keep a copy of any C.V.s or application forms sent, so you will be familiar with your answers if you are called for interview and will not be "caught out!"
The Application Letter
You have to persuade them not to overlook you. Here’s how.
Taking care over your application letter is vital. You are putting together an advertisement
to sell a product—yourself—and it’s an opportunity to show something of your personality and style. Your letter should be to the point, easy to read, and should give facts, not opinions. Get it right. It could mean the difference between getting an interview or not.
Preparation
Give your letter an individual approach by targeting your audience. Research the company before you put pen to paper. No two application letters you send should be the same.
The letter
This should be no longer than a page and should have a basic four section format. The first should state what job you’re applying for and how you heard about the vacancy. The second should deal with your qualifications and experience. This can be brief; your C.V.
will give most of the details. In the third section demonstrate that you have the necessary
strengths to meet the demands of the work. Connect your skills to the job. Avoid using
gushing clichés such as “I’m great with people,” but be positive, confident and specific. Where possible, back up your statements.
Don’t ever say “I’ve always wanted to get into journalism.” Employers are interested in
what you can give them, not in fulfilling your childhood dream. Always include a closing
paragraph which reiterates your interest in the job and looks forward to discussing it
further.
Do ...
Find out the name of the person your letter should be addressed to (phone the company, if necessary). If an ad asks you to write to Ms. M. Jones, write “Dear Ms. Jones.” Don’t put the initial in the greeting—only use it in the address. If it tells you to reply to Margaret Jones, don’t write “Dear Margaret,” use “Dear Ms. Jones.” Never write “Dear Madam.”
Use plain, white A4-size paper and a standard white business envelope. Avoid
coloured ink or wacky stationery. Always type applications, unless there’s a request for a hand-written reply.
Use simple sentences. Write as though you were talking in a clear and natural way. This will allow some of your personality to show. Remember your letter (and accompanying C.V.) is an indication of your professionalism and pride in your work. Check and double check spelling and punctuation. Then get someone to check it again.
Sign your full name, not an initial.
Don’t ...
Mention an aspect of the job you may be weak on. A covering letter should focus on positive attributes.
Waste time and energy applying for positions you’re very unlikely to be offered. Rejection can be demoralising, so be selective.
Include over-flattering statements such as, “Your company is the most outstanding in the business.” These are just space-fillers.
