Now’s a time for lots of women to take stock of their work and career aspirations. Many of us have lost our jobs and livelihoods, others have taken the opportunity to apply for short-term key worker roles in shops and care.

Here are some ideas for starting on a CV or getting an old one up to date.

What should I include in my CV?

A CV is a summary of your education, qualifications, the jobs you have had and the skills you gained in your jobs.
Everyone’s CV will be different, depending on their experience and the kind of jobs they have had.

Here are 6 things that every CV should include:

1. Personal information

Put these details at the very top of your CV

• Full name
• Email address
• Phone number
• Home address

2. Personal statement

• Who you are (e.g. ‘An enthusiastic and motivated X with Y experience in Z)
• What you’re offering
• What are your work goals?

3. Work experience (if available)

This section should include a list of all of your relevant work experience with the most recent first.

• Job title
• Name of the organisation
• Length of time in the position
• Your key responsibilities

4. Achievements

Here you should write about how your skills make you a suitable candidate. List all of your relevant skills and achievements along with examples.

5. Education

List your educational experience and achievements starting with the most recent. If you have more educational achievements than work experience, you should put this section above the work experience section.

6. Hobbies and interests

Only add hobbies and interests that are relevant to the job/s you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a job that asks for strong writing skills, you might include that you write a blog in your spare time.

Help for Young Women

If you’re a young woman aged up to 30, you can get useful free feedback on your CV and free coaching too from the Young Women’s Trust: