Applying for jobs 

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If you see a job that interests you, your letter of application and curriculum vitae, (CV) is your first chance to make a real impact on a possible future employer.

You may be asked to apply for jobs in different ways, for example;

• Some employers may simply ask you to send in a CV and a letter of application (sometimes called a covering letter).
• Some employers, particularly larger companies, may ask you to complete an application form that will contain all of the information that would otherwise be included in your CV.  You should still include a letter of application when you return the application form to the employer.

A curriculum vitae, or CV, is a document that you create to give employers information about you.  Your CV should include;

• Your contact details including name, address, phone number and email address (if you have one).
• Your work experience details – this may include part-time work, voluntary work and school work experience placements.
• Your education details – this should include the name and address of your school/college/university and the dates that you were there, and the qualifications you have taken, or will be taking and grades achieved or predicted.  (You must make it clear if the grades are only predictions.)
• Any other significant information such as Duke of Edinburgh Awards, First Aid certificates, sporting achievements etc.

You should always place you employment and education history in reverse chronological order, ie, most recent first and your CV should never be more than 2 pages of A4 in length.  Click here for an example CV.

A letter of application is a separate document that you send along with your CV.  It gives you an opportunity to include extra information about yourself such as why you would like to apply for the job and what qualities you could bring to the company.  Your letter of application should always state where you saw the job advertised and it should never be more than one side of A4.  Click here for an example letter.

Invited to attend an interview - click here to read about interview techniques.