What is a CV?

Introduction

  • CV stands for curriculum vitae (Latin for ‘course of life’).
  • Your CV sells you to an employer.
  • It should interest the employer and secure you an interview.
  • A CV usually sums up your education and work history.
  • It also shows your skills, abilities and achievements.
  • Sometimes you can send a CV for a job vacancy.
  • You can use your CV to help you fill in an application form.
  • Your CV must always be up to date.
  • Make sure that your CV is well-presented; check it before you send it off.

CV stands for curriculum vitae, which is Latin for ‘course of life. Your CV is a very important document because it sells you to a possible employer. A good CV should interest the employer, showing clearly and concisely why you’re the right person for the job.

A CV usually contains a brief summary of your achievements in education, your skills, abilities, interests and work experience.

Sometimes, job advertisements ask you to send in your CV rather than completing an application form. You would also include your CV when sending in a speculative letter to an employer.

If a job advertisement asks you to fill in an application form, you can use the information on your CV to make sure that you include all your relevant qualifications, skills and experience.

Employers receive hundreds of CVs and only have a very short time to look at yours. You need to make every single word on your CV work in your favour. You also need to make sure that it’s well presented, easy to read and that the spelling and grammar are correct.

A CV is not a historical document that stays the same for ever once it’s written. You must keep it up to date by adding in new skills, achievements, experience and qualifications as you obtain them.

You can change the way your CV is presented, depending on the type of job you are applying for. For example, you can highlight your skills to show that they match the skills needed to do the job. Or, you can show that you have had experience of doing the same kind of tasks, or that you have the qualifications needed.