Customer Advice Pages

How to write a CV

How you present yourself in your CV, or Personal Statement as it is sometimes known, is very important as this is the key to a potential employer wishing to consider you for employment. Follow our guide to CV preparation.

How to Load Up your CV

To upload your CV, or multiple CVs, you need to create an account by registering through the candidates section of the site or login if you'e already registered.

If you are registering then on completion you'll be automatically redirected straight to your "My CVs" page. If you are logging in then you'll just need to click the "My CVs" link in the left hand tools menu once you're into the Candidate area. From within this page you can upload as many CVs as you like and then when applying for a job you choose which one you want to send to the prospective employer.

Writing a Covering Letter

If you are sending a covering letter with your application you should set out to ensure that it is brief and to the point. You should include details of yourself and the skills you have that are relevant to the job you are applying for. You should be positive and emphasise why you are perfect for the job. Be clear and honest.

Make sure you include the job reference in the letter if there is one. If you address the letter to a person it should end Yours sincerely, or if it is addressed to Sir/Madam then it should be signed off Yours faithfully. Double check spelling and grammar before sending the letter.

Filling in Application Forms

• Always check the instructions before completing an application form, for example whether you need to fill out the form in black ink etc.
• Spell the name of the company correctly.
• Fill out the application form in draft first to avoid messy mistakes then transfer the information to the form.
• Answer all questions and fill in all the boxes.
• If you have gaps in your employment history explain why.
• Include skills that you have developed outside of work.
• Make sure you include contact details whether an email address or telephone number so you can be contacted if the company wish to see you for interview.

Interview Techniques

The success of an interview lies in the preparation. It is very important to attend an interview well prepared as you need to make a good impression in the first few minutes of the interview. Follow our Interview techniques guide.

Different Types of Interview and Testing

Different companies adopt different types of testing and they should inform you before you attend an interview which type of testing may be used. Follow our guide to different types of interview and testing.