Your CV could be one of many that an employer has received, so you need to make a good impression. Ensure that yours is well laid out, easy to read and relevant to the vacancy. You need sell yourself - show the employer you have lots to offer them and make them want to find out more at an interview.
- Your CV should be no more than two sides of A4. if you print out and post your CV, use two separate pieces of paper – don’t back it. Add your name in smaller font in a footer so that it appears on both sheets of paper.
- Fonts – use a font that is easy to read, you don’t want an employer to put it down because the font is too small or fancy. Arial or Calibri, font size 11 or 12, are good choices.
- Do not include any personal information such as your date of birth, a picture of you or your home address.
- It is a good idea to use bold to make things stand out and a larger font size for headings.
- Use bullet points where appropriate to make information clearer, e.g. in the Interests and Achievements section.
- Style – Make text easy to read and concise. Use short sentences and divide into small paragraphs/sections. Cut out irrelevant words and information.
- Check spelling, punctuation and grammar thoroughly. Do use the spell checker, but also read through very carefully to make sure you’ve used the correct versions of words. If you are not sure, get someone else to check it as well.
Talk to an SfYP Adviser
Young people who are not at school or college can come to their local SfYP young people's centre for help with progressing into education, training or finding a job or apprenticeship. Find your nearest centre here: