WRL Lesson Plans / KS4 - Applying for Jobs - 4 lessons / Applying for Jobs Lesson Plan 3 - CVs

Student Introduction to Preparing a CV

CV means Curriculum Vitae, which is Latin for ‘record of life’. It is a personal marketing tool that lays out your qualifications, skills and attributes to an employer to show you are suitable for the job for which you have applied. Your CV is the ‘foot in the door’ to gaining an interview.

It should show your previous qualifications and experience and it should show the skills and qualities you have that will match the role being applied for. It needs to be short, simple and easy to read but conveys the key points to an employer. The most important points need to be highlighted at the beginning of your CV so they are spotted first. You also need to list your most recent work experience or education first as it is most relevant. Try to limit your CV to a maximum of two pages as employers do not have the time to read reams of paper. Keep your language clear and to the point throughout. Bullet points are useful to separate sentences.

The Learning Outcomes

At the end of this session students will understand the purpose of a CV and will be provided with the opportunity to write their own CV.

The History of the CV - An infographic from the National Careers Service