Creating CVs
Start to think about what sort of CV would work best, and watch a short video
OU students talk about preparing a CV
Video transcript
To view the video clip you need to install the free Flash player and enable Javascript in your browser.
Ramesh: Regarding writing CVs it's been one of those challenging tasks. Where you never get 100% perfect and you keep refining it.
Rachael: I see many CVs at work and the ones that are really good, the ones that always stand out are the ones that are clear and concise.
Paul: A potential employer will make that first decision. It's the first impression that they get. It's so very important that a CV is well produced.
Rachael: Bullet points. Get to the point. Say what you want to say. Don't flower it with lots of things that the employer doesn't really want to know about.
Paul: It doesn't have to be superbly well designed, but it has to be neat, tidy.
Rachael: Say what your qualifications are. Say what the grades are.
Paul: The spelling has to be perfect and anything else will not do you justice.
Rachael: And if you've got the correct qualifications and the correct skills, the employer will be in touch.
- The purpose of a CV is to market yourself to an employer and gain an interview.
- Creating a good CV takes time, concentration and good organisation of the information you want to present.
Take it a step at a time
- Identify the key requirements
- Identify your relevant skills, experiences and personal qualities
- Choose the most appropriate CV format
If you are a PhD Researcher see information on CVs for PhD Researchers.
If you have been asked to send your CV electronically here are some tips.
Click here to create an online CV with Graduate Prospects and iProfile, which you can use to apply for jobs via the Prospects graduate job board.
For more help with CVs, AGCAS Scotland has created an online careers seminar for students on 'Your Graduate CV'.
There are important questions to ask yourself if you are a mature student, and you need to consider who you will ask for references.
Your CV needs to
- draw attention to your strengths
- be easy to read
- be faultlessly presented - see our 10 top tips.
What employers say about CVs
The very, very good ones are the ones again that have been very specific and concise about the skills that I know I'm looking for
Charlie Leake, Enterprise
You can also watch videos from Abintegro on what employers look for in a CV.
(Registered students only)