So you’ve decided to tackle the summer job market – brilliant! Your next crucial step is putting together a CV that grabs attention. “But I don’t have much experience,” we hear you say! Don’t worry, everyone starts somewhere, and your CV can still shine with the right approach and a little help from Action West London.
Here’s how to make your CV stand out, and how Action West London can assist:
- Contact Details: Simple but essential. Include your name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile (if you have one).
- Personal Statement/Profile: This is your elevator pitch! A short, snappy paragraph (2-4 lines) at the top of your CV that summarises who you are, what you’re looking for, and what skills you offer. Tailor this to each job application.
- Example: “Enthusiastic and proactive student seeking a summer role in retail, eager to develop customer service skills and contribute positively to a team environment.”
- Action West London Tip: Our employment advisors can help you craft a compelling personal statement that truly reflects your potential and matches it to specific job descriptions.
- Education: List your most recent education first. Include school/college names, dates attended, and key qualifications (GCSEs, A-Levels, BTECs, etc.). Don’t forget to mention specific subjects or projects relevant to the job.
- Transferable Skills: This is where you really showcase your potential! Think about skills you’ve gained from school projects, extracurricular activities, volunteering, or even hobbies.
- Teamwork: Sports teams, group projects, school clubs.
- Communication: Presentations, debating, and customer service in school events.
- Problem-solving: Organising events, fixing issues in a club.
- Organisation/Time Management: Juggling studies and other commitments.
- IT Skills: Mention any software you’re proficient in.
- Action West London Tip: We run workshops and provide one-on-one sessions that help you identify and articulate your transferable skills, ensuring employers see your full potential.
- Work Experience (Even if it’s not paid!):
- Volunteering: Fantastic for demonstrating initiative and commitment.
- Work Experience Placements: Any school-organised placements count!
- Family/Friends’ Businesses: Helping out informally.
- Hobbies/Interests with Responsibilities: E.g., captain of a sports team, organising a charity bake sale.
- For each, list the organisation, your role, dates, and 2-3 bullet points detailing your responsibilities and achievements (quantify if possible!).
- Action West London Tip: We can help you structure this section effectively, even if you have minimal formal experience, showing you how to present any relevant activities as valuable work experience.
- References: Simply state “References available upon request.” You’ll usually provide these after an interview if requested.
Top Tip: Keep your CV clear, concise (ideally one page for a first job!), and free of spelling and grammar errors. Get someone else to proofread it!
Head to our employability hub and check out the CV resources. https://actionwestlondon.org.uk/2023/11/action-west-london-employability-hub/
In our next blog post, we’ll share top tips for acing that all-important interview – and how our mock interview sessions can give you a real edge!