One of the scariest steps of adulthood is creating your first CV. Don’t let that fear keep you from an experience that could potentially change your life. Let our ‘My First CV – Post High School’ be your guide to landing your first job.
Why Do I Need a CV?
There are very rare cases where you will get hired without a CV. Because the recruiter or employer doesn’t know you, you need to make an impression. That’s where your CV comes in.
A CV:
- Shows employers what you’re good at
- Demonstrates your interests
- Indicates whether you are a fit for the company
- Can land you a job
Creating My First CV – Where do I Begin?
The most difficult part of creating a CV is always getting started. Where do you even begin and what should you include or avoid? If you’re having trouble creating your first CV, here are a few guidelines for you.
Choose a Format
Figure out what you want your CV to look like and how you want your information to be displayed. There are a ton of templates available online that you can use. Because you have little or no work experience, you should choose one that highlights your skills.
What to Put in Your First CV
Not sure what to put in your CV? There are a few important things you need to remember. Your contact information is essential, because that’s how you will get invited back for an interview. Leave out unnecessary details such as hobbies and interests. Here is what you need to add to your CV:
- Full Name
- Contact Details
- Professional Statement
- Skills
- Education
- Special Awards and Certificates
- Work Experience
- References
Tailor Your CV to the job You are Applying for
Thought you need one generic CV that you have to apply to for every job? That’s your first mistake. Your CV needs to be tailored to the job, company and the role you are applying for. If you are applying for a retail job, you need to highlight your communication and teamwork skills.
Proofread Your CV
Show the recruiter or employer that you take pride in everything you do. You can do this making sure that your CV is free from mistakes. That includes grammatical and spelling mistakes, as well as missing information.
Add a Cover Letter for Support
Just because they didn’t ask for one, doesn’t mean you should exclude them from your application. Including a cover letter will show that you’ve put in a little more effort in your application. Keep it formal and professional, and highlight your interest in the job.
What Counts as Work Experience?
Just because you haven’t had ‘real’ work experience, doesn’t mean you have none. All the voluntary work you did at school or church count. Keep that in mind too when you are at an interview and you are asked about work experience.
Here’s what counts as work experience:
- Volunteering
- Job shadowing
- Summer jobs
- Charity work
- Weekend jobs
Who to add as a Reference for My First CV?
A reference is someone who can vouch for you and what is listed on your CV. This can be anyone who supervised you when you had to perform a task. A teacher, tutor, pastor, youth leader, or manager at a weekend job can all be great references.
Which Skills Should I add to My First CV?
This will depend on the job or role you are applying for. Look out for keywords that have been used in the CV to determine what the role is about. If you are applying for a job as a packer, then you should highlight your time management and organisational skills.
Skills Academy is the word support in every way.
Add Some Substance and Learn While you Earn
What happens after you get the job? Think about your next move. Enrol for any of our courses and take your career to newer heights. Get in touch with us today.
- Call us for free on 0800 39 00 27
- Or fill out this contact form for a call back
