Part 3

READING PASSAGE 3

Read the text below and answer questions 28-40

You and your CV

Your CV is possibly your most important tool in your search to find the right job.

It is the first thing a future employer sees about you, and if it’s not right, may be the last. An employer will do no more than glance at your CV – it’s estimated that most employers spend more than twenty seconds looking at each CV, so you have very little time to make the impression. Here’s some advice to help you make the most of those twenty seconds.

What it should look like

The first rule of all CVs is keep them clear and simple – anything complicated or long tends to get rejected instantly. Achieving that is a matter of making good use of lists, bullet points and note form, and of keeping your CV to the right length. There are no fixed rules on how long it should be, and it will vary, of course, according to your age, experience, etc., but keep it to one page if you can – this length is convenient for your reader to work with.

As for style, there are different kinds of layouts you can follow – look at the examples on this site to see which one you prefer – but the basic rule is to use headings well to signal clearly where all the relevant information is. Make sure you include these sections: qualifications, skills, education, work experience, references, personal interests/hobbies, personal qualities, then label them clearly so that your prospective employer can find the information they want quickly and easily.

Content

CVs tend to follow a fixed order. They start with your personal details such as name, address and contact details, then go on to personal qualities such as those things in your personality that might attract an employer e.g. conscientious, adventurous, punctual, etc., and your career goals.

After this comes the main part of your CV starting with education, then work experience. Use reverse chronological order to list these, starting with what you’re doing now. It’s most common to go back no more than 10 years. Give your job details such as job titles, the names of the organisations you worked for, an outline of your job duties and then note your particular achievements.

Then go on to your personal interests and finish up with the details of some good, reliable referees. Your future employer may not follow up on these, but they do make an impression.

Do’s and don’ts

A glance at your CV should create a good impression. Don’t make spelling mistakes, and don’t send in anything crumpled or with coffee stains on it. Anything like that leads to instant rejection. Use good quality A4 paper and don’t send in anything other than a cover letter. Diplomas, testimonials, etc., will be requested later ~ they’re interested in you.

When you think you’ve finished writing your CV, read it over very carefully. Check your full stops, use of bullets, indentation, use of capital letters, etc. And never include in your CV anything that’s not true. It’s very easy for an employer to check, and if your CV doesn’t match what they find out, then your chances of getting that job are probably gone.

Finally, carry out the instructions in the job ad very carefully. If they require three copies, then send them three copies, not two or four. Make sure you meet the deadline too, and put the right stamp on your envelope. You’ll need to accompany your CV with a cover letter. This should be tailored to each job you apply for. Follow the link below for advice on how to write a cover letter.

And last of all “Good luck”!

Remember to include:

Career history
Skills and strengths
Awards and achievements
Contact details

Questions 28-30

Do the following statements agree with the information in the text?

In boxes 28-30 on your answer sheet write

TRUE.	if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE.	if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN.	If there is no information on this