British CV
For the format of your british CV choose either a reversed-chronological CV - most recent activity first or a functional CV - activities grouped thematically. The functional CV is getting more popular, since it allows you to strengthen certain skills and experience, and “gaps” in your British CV are less obvious.
The aim of your British CV should be to persuade recruiters to invite you for a job interview. Therefore your CV is a marketing tool, which should be adapted to the market in which you intend to use it.
The brief one or two page CV, giving only the facts and figures, is usually all what UK employers expect to see. However, the order in which your data are documented is important. Your British CV should contain “Personal Details”, “Education”, “Language Proficiency”, “Work Experience” and “Leisure Activities” sections.
Start your British CV with “Personal Details” and list your name, address, contact information, birth date, marital status and nationality. Often CV are kept on file for long periods, so any contact details you give have to remain accurate in the long term. A daytime phone number, with the international access code, is most important one. Employers are not allowed to discriminate, so by putting date of birth and nationality details down saves them having to ask you.
The next section is “Education”. Starting from most recent first, list with dates only the academic centers where a qualification was earned, areas of study and diplomas/degrees. A-Level can be listed; the grades do not have to be included. Mention additional courses and training, and special skills such as computer programs in which you are proficient.
In “Language Proficiency” list your foreign language fluency skills with reference to the spoken and written levels.
Begin “Work Experience” by describing your current position. For each position provide starting and leaving dates, the name, location and focus of each company. Include concise details of what the job entailed your title and responsibilities. Make your CV more effective; provide examples that fit the job, to illustrate your achievements.
Use power words and action verbs to describe your achievements, such as contributed, organized, demonstrated, trained, managed, developed, coordinated, etc. Bullet point these at the start of a sentence for maximum impact.
If there are any time gaps between employments explain what you were doing in that time, for example raveling, at college, carrying out charity fund raising work.
Your “Leisure Activities”, hobbies, sports and interests can give an insight into your personality. Consider carefully what you are putting down and its implications. Team events indicate that you are a team player, other activities such as Scouting, show commitment and the fact you are not adverse to a challenge. If you like reading say whom you favorite author is.
It is common, but not advisable, to give the contact details of two references, including they titles, names, addresses and telephones, at the end of the CV or to say “References are available on request”.
Many British employers prefer an american-style resume instead of a common CV.
It is more common in the UK to apply for a job through the Internet. However, you should be aware that an electronic CV does not look the same as a standard one.
CV are often scanned by employers, so make your CV scannable by avoiding for example lines or italic fonts etc.
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Other British CV Info
Now to finalize your british job search, if your british cover letter and British CV are ready, you may email them through our job search engine to job recruiters and executive headhunters.
On a british job interview page you will find useful tips on a job interview and a job interview dress code in the UK.
Good luck with your british CV.
