5004AFYPC: DEVELOPING EMPLOYABILITY
LECTURE 3: HOW TO
CREATE A KILLER CV!
Adapted from ljmu canvas module content
BSC (HONS) ACCOUNTING & FINANCE
LECTURER: MS. MARIAM
DO DON’T
• Tailor the content each time you • Don’t Lie – your CV needs to be an honest
apply for a job reflection of you and your experiences
• Make sure you have a professional • Avoid using acronyms and jargon
email address • Don’t include a heading saying ‘CV’ or
• Make sure your personal profile is ‘Curriculum Vitae’ – just use your name
descriptive and grabs the reader • Not necessary to include references names or
• Use bullet points to list information contact details
and highlight specific areas • You don’t need to state your date of birth,
• Proofread for spelling and grammar nationality, national insurance number
• Keep to 2 pages • Don’t include a photo
• Use headings to separate sections • Don’t bother with hobbies unless relevant to the
• Include your name, address, email role;
address and contact number • Avoid using phrases such as ‘I enjoy socialising
• Write your CV in word and print to with friends’ – this doesn’t add anything
PDF when sending to the employer • Do not centralise – needs to be left aligned
• Include social media links if relevant • Don’t include fancy borders that wont scan
– any websites you run or well
something that makes you stand • Don’t include any past or expected salaries
out • Don’t include reasons for leaving past jobs
basics
1. Personal information
2. Personal statement
3. Education and qualifications
4. Work experience (can include paid, unpaid, voluntary work)
5. Additional skills / achievements
WHAT IS ATS & how do I beat it?
Application tracking systems may be used by employers to scan CVs
for key words, or skills that are relevant or required for the role you’re
applying to
Makes recruitment quicker
Make your CV role specific
Keywords are important to pass the ATS
For example, if the job description says “we are looking for a
hardworking candidate” the ATS may be programmed to look for words
such as driven, dedicated, determined…
BUT don’t be tempted to just list out key words or skills, you need to be
clever about how you get these into your CV, covering letter or
application form
Avoid images texts boxes, tables…
Less is more – no fancy templates
How to include company
values in my cv?
Research the company values
Use the exact words the brand have used
Use synonyms
Show it, don’t just say it!!!
1. PERSONAL information
Include at the top of your CV
This is the part that grabs the attention of the Profile: I am a focused, creative and
highly motivated BA (Hons)
reader so SELL YOURSELF
Accountancy and Finance
Don’t be too vague. But don’t waffle undergraduate. A strong organisational
ability, able to work closely in a team
Max one paragraph (5-6 lines) and independently, with a flexible and
analytical approach to work. I am
Make it relevant to the job you’re applying to seeking to expand on my existing work
experience in an accounting role, with
(what skills do you have that align with the a view to develop professionally by
gaining an ACA training contract.
skills required for the role)
Make sure the tone is positive
2. Additional information
Clubs / societies
Other training / courses – not formal education
Achievements / awards
Responsibilities
Hobbies – only if relevant
Languages
IT competencies
3. Education and Qualifications
Degree name and class (or expected)
Include first year grade
Include if you are an ACCA/ACA/CIMA
student (don’t say member)
A Levels (or equivalent)
GSCE
Include start and end dates.
GSCE – no need for full breakdown. ’10
GSCE passes including English and Maths’.
• When listing education include dates, type of qualification and grades
• Any other relevant work based training – NVQs, first aid or health and
safety course
4. Work experience
One section can include work experience,
paid work, voluntary work
Always tailor for the job
Reverse chronological order
Include short description of duties /
responsibilities
Add in particular achievements
Numbers!
Skills
• List your most recent first
• Include job title, name of the organisation, dates employed, your key
responsibilities
• Use bullet points when describing your duties
5. Skills and achievements
Research the company you’re applying to and make a note of the skills
they are looking for. Provide your best examples of how you have
exercised these skills
Order your skills in order of importance
The skills listed should be relevant to the role
Your skills could have been obtained from work experience, past
employment, education, volunteering, extracurricular activities
Personal interests, hobbies
and voluntary work
Include hobbies/interests that make you stand out – is there anything
you do that is unique or something that may set you apart
Avoid generic hobbies such as ‘socialising with friends’ if its not
relevant or doesn’t add anything to your application then leave it out
Consider any hobbies that may get in the way of your job, do you have
any conflicts of interest?
Include any voluntary work you have done, or any unpaid work
experience
layout
Heading – use your name, not ‘CV’
Professional font – max 12 pt.
2 pages
White paper
Time to create your own!
There are lots of resources for you to create your
own CV, as well as sample CV and cover letters
in Google Classroom
Please use this time to complete your CV
COVER LETTER
If you are required to submit a CV (no application form) then you should always include a
covering letter.
Key points to remember:
Always address it to a named individual – Dear Mr/Mrs/Miss
Use a heading referring to the job advertised.( Remember the individual you are writing to
may be dealing with more than one vacancy so clearly identifying which role you are
applying for will be helpful.)
Keep the tone formal
Summaries what has attracted you to this company and role (It will be really obvious if you
submit a generic, copy and pasted cover letter)
Consider mentioning 1 or 2 key points from your CV which make you stand out
DO NOT rewrite your CV, covering letters should be clear and concise
Check grammar, spelling and punctuation
No longer than three quarters of a page long
15
Q & A ………………….???
