Different CVs for different types of graduate job

CVs come in all shapes and sizes, so make sure yours is right - whether your target is a graduate programme with an investment bank or a vacancy for a graduate managing a shop.

Different types of CV

Before you rush to download a set of sample CVs for graduates, here's a big warning: RECRUITERS HATE SPAM CVs - so you'll need to adapt your application according to your skills, the organisation, the market in which it sits and the role on offer.

So first of all:

1) Read below for the basic differences between types of CV.

2) Use the links below to get more specific information - particularly about applications within particular sectors.

3) Use this site to research employers - start with the graduate employer profiles or search for graduate jobs starting now.

4) And then download your sample CV and adapt it using our tips below.

Style 1: the traditional CV - sells your track record

Most CVs probably fall into this category - a chronological or reverse-chronological account of your life. There are, of course, within this structure, endless opportunities to customise and target the information.

  • Write your name and contact details at the top.
  • If  you are are applying speculatively, state your job search objective clearly.
  • At this stage of your career, details of your education may be of most interest to potential employers. Unless you have loads of relevant work experience (or if you'd rather not give your grades too much prominence!), list your education at the top of the CV, in reverse chronological order. List any professional qualifications or training you've undertaken separately.
  • Write your work experience and employment history, again in reverse chronological order. Start with your present or most recent position, and work backwards.
  • For each position, describe your major duties and achievements, beginning with an action verb (eg 'Achieved', 'Increased', 'Won'. Keep to the point and stressed what you've achieved.
  • Keep your career goals in mind as you write and, as you describe your duties and achievements, emphasise those which are most related to your desired job.

Style 2: the skills-based CV - sells your potential

If you want to draw more attention to the skills you have developed than to the events that have made up your life, then perhaps you should consider constructing a skills-based CV.

These CVs often include a personal statement or career objective near the beginning. For example: ‘Motivated and academically gifted chemical engineer seeking to use his industrial experience in a technical sales career'. Only do it if you feel comfortable with this approach.The rest of the CV must contain considerable evidence to back up any such assertions.

Another common feature of this type of CV is including a list of key achievements. Only do this if you feel that it's the most effective way to package your message. The main problem with these CVs is that they can run the risk of sounding phoney or pompous if badly composed.

Many graduate recruiters hate CVs that are wacky or pompous
  • Write your name and contact details at the top.
  • This type of CV is well suited to people starting out in the careers, so you may want to state your job search objective clearly.
  • Write between three to five separate paragraphs, each one focusing on a particular skill or accomplishment, and each one with a relevant heading.
  • List these 'functional' paragraphs in order of importance, with the one most related to your career goal at the top.
  • Within each functional area, emphasise the most relevant accomplishments or results produced.
  • Add in a brief paragraph showing your work experience after the last functional area, giving dates, employer and job titles only.
  • Include your education in a separate section at the bottom of the CV, again in reverse chronological order.

Style 3: the combination CV - AKA the great British compromise

You're perfectly free to create a CV which includes elements of both traditional and skills-based types. Focus on the major aim of the exercise: to produce a CV that meets your needs. And if this means a wholly original hybrid, fair enough.

How off the wall can I be?

Just occasionally you may feel the need to produce a CV that is radically different from everybody else's. This is only recommended if wackiness is appropriate behaviour in the eyes of the organisation that you are approaching. Chartered accountants are not in this group but maybe advertising agencies are. Examples include CVs in the style of Wild West, Wanted! posters, pop-up CVs, CVs with tear-off strips that gradually reveal your life. You will certainly get noticed but you do run the risk of being thought a little strange. The very worst thing to do is to copy someone else's wacky idea.

General tricks and tactics for a great CV

  • Give the most space to the most important facts of you life, be they part-time jobs or course modules.
  • Make sure you can account for any chronological gaps in your CV - you may get some awkward questions otherwise.
  • Concentrate on your personal contribution to whatever it is you're writing about and stress achievements and outcomes.
  • Don't waffle! Include only relevant information, but take care to explain yourself clearly. Try to keep your CV down to one page.
  • If you're e-mailing your CV, give it a sensible name - your own is always a good choice - not just 'CV.doc'.

Twists on a theme...

Top tip. Prepare three lists: one of your most marketable skills, another of career objectives and a third list of the skills and attributes your desired employers want.

And now make your CV relevant to your chosen profession

Sample CVs: examples of the three basic types of CV plus samples for specific types of graduate training programme, eg Law, Engineering, HR, Sales, Finance, and Media.

 

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