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Duffie Asks...
where can i go to do a cv?
What we suggest...
Hi Duffie. Many thanks for your enquiry asking us where you can go to do your CV.
Firstly we will outline what a CV is and why it is useful for potential employers. A CV or 'Curriculum Vitae' in full is the story of your life so far which you use when applying for jobs. You may not always need one when applying for jobs but it is useful to have one to jog your memory when you are filling in application forms, writing letters, or enquiring about jobs on the phone.
A handy hint is to keep a copy on the computer so that you can quickly update it. Also take time to get it right, it should be printed (or typed) on good quality plain white paper; check spellings and dates and try to keep it between 1-2 sides of A4 so that potential employers can get the information they need quickly. This also means you can elaborate on the information you have given in the interview. You also need to ask your referees for permission before you put them on your CV as well. it is also worth asking someone to check over the completed CV for you such as a teacher or careers adviser.
Below is a list of things your CV should include bearing in mind your age:
- Name (full name)
- Address
- Telephone
- Mobile
- Email
- Date of Birth
- Personal Statement (a couple of lines to summarise your strengths)
- School attending / attended
- Examinations taken (with grades if you have taken them or expected grades if you know them)
- Work Experience (school work experience, part- time work/ voluntary work)
- Positions of Responsibility (leader or captain or prefect at school)
- Personal Interests (hobbies, past-times)
- References (must be two - teacher, from part-time job, work experience)
If you go to our sister website, at www.whatnow.co.uk and scroll down the left hand side of the screen to Information, then select Document Downloads. Then click the link to Work and Training and there is a template CV you can download and adapt to fit yourself.
There are also tips on websites such as:
- http://www.thesite.org/workandstudy/gettingajob/applications
- www.bbc.co.uk/onelife/your_world/work_future/jobs_getting_your_first_job/
If you haven't filled a CV out before you can always ask your tutor to help you at school or careers adviser there. Many schools use a PSE lesson to discuss CV's and practice how to do them, especially when you're in your final year and going on to either further study or work after.
You could also go to your local InfoCentre for young people in Morecambe. The address is:
6-8 Kensington Road
Morecambe
LA4 5LX
Tel: 01524 428319
Opening hours are Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm
You don't have to book an appointment, just go in and the workers will help you with your form, and you can use the computer and photocopier there for free too. They may also know of any part -time jobs going in the area or apprenticeships for when you leave school. They may also do practice mock interviews with you to prepare you for interviews if you ask.
Another place you could go to type your CV up and look for ideas is your local library.
Your local library will be:
Central Drive
Morecambe
Lancs.
LA4 5DL
Tel: 01524 415215
Opening hours:
Monday 9.30am - 5pm
Tuesday 9.30am - 7pm
Wednesday 9.30am - 5pm
Thursday 9.30am - 7pm
Friday 9.30am- 5pm
Saturday 9.30am - 4pm
Sunday Closed
They may have books like:
- How You Can Get That Job by Rebecca Corfield, pub. Kogan Page
- The Job Hunter's Handbook by David Greenwood, pub. Kogan Page
- The Ultimate CV Book: Write the Perfect CV and Get That Job by Martin John Yate, pub. Kogan Page
- Ultimate CV by Rachel Bishop - Firth, pub. How To Books
- How To Write A CV That Works by Paul McGee, pub. How To Books
and they should also have these books in the InfoCentre, although you can't borrow them to take away from there.
It is also worth asking friends or other family members if you don't have access to a computer to use theirs because employers do expect a CV to be typed rather than hand written.
We hope you find this information useful and that you can complete your CV successfully
Best Wishes
Q2A
Expert advice and every precaution has been taken to ensure that the information on this page is trustworthy and reliable, but the publishers do not hold themselves responsible for any inaccuracy as information can go out of date very quickly. This page gives general guidance only and should not be treated as a complete and authoritative statement of the law. With regard to suggested weblinks given in this reply please note that Lancashire County Council is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
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