Writing your CV

​Help with your CV

Are you considering changing career? Are you leaving school or have you suddenly found yourself out of work and need help with a CV?

Whether you are starting from scratch or need feedback on your CV, you can contact the Skills Jersey's Careers Guidance team for help and advice.

You can request an appointment by completing our online appointment request form.

CVs explained

A CV is a document that tells a prospective employer about you and your:

• skills
• work history
• qualifications
• experience
• personal interests

As an adult, your CV should focus on your skills and recent employment. It is also important to include details of all qualifications and training that you have completed both before and whilst in full-time employment.

Download an example of an adult CV

As a school or college leaver, your CV will look quite different to someone who has several years of work experience. Your CV should focus on your skills and recent studies. It is also important to include any work experience that you have gained (including Trident work experience).

See the links to CV examples for information on how to make your CV standout.

Download an example of an student CV

Download an example of a graduate CV

General CV guidance

Do:

• check for spelling mistakes and ask a friend or family member to check over your CV before sending it to employers
• tailor your CV to focus on your strengths relevant to the job you are applying for
• be concise, your CV should be a maximum of 2 x A4 pages long. On average, readers absorb 60% of the first page, 40% of the second
• ensure that your CV looks professional. It should be typed and set out in a clear and easy to read way
• be consistent with your formatting, use ‘Arial’ font, size 14 for titles, size 12 for all other text
• include an appropriate email address that you can access regularly
• write it yourself (wherever possible). Employers want to get a profile of who you are and the best way to do this is to make your CV personal

Avoid:

• making false or exaggerated claims about qualifications or experience, you are likely to be asked to produce evidence of your qualifications
• including your date of birth, unless age is specifically required
• including your marital status  
• including primary school education  
• including ‘socialising with friends’ as a hobby  
• enclosing copies of references 
• including salary required. There is a high risk of over or under estimating your worth, which can put employers off 
• enclosing a photograph with your CV 
• using colour on your CV unless applying for a creative job