For nursing posts it is likely that you will apply using an application form rather than a CV. It is, however, possible that private and voluntary sector employers and recruitment agencies may ask for a CV. You will also need to include an up to date CV in your professional development file or portfolio.
There are many different styles of CV. The following information is based on a style of CV that works well for newly qualified nurses. Don’t be tempted to pay for a CV writing service; you can do just as well on your own with some specialist advice from your University Careers Service.
Be selective:
Remember that your CV is a personal marketing document. You don’t have to list everything you’ve ever done, you can select the information you want to present and the order in which you present it. Always match the information in the CV to the employer requirements. This means that the CV will change according to what you are using it for. Typically, employers spend only a few seconds assessing a CV so it is important that you use a clear layout with good visual impact and make sure key information about you, your skills, experiences and qualifications is well presented and easy to read.
Visual appeal:
A CV should be no more than two pages long and should be printed on plain white or
cream paper with black print in an easy to read font such as Arial, Verdana or Times New
Roman. Use a font size of 11 or 12. Use bold print to make your headings clear.
What to include:
You should present your information in reverse chronological order – most recent experiences first For example start with your University education and work backwards through your ‘A’ levels or BTEC to your GCSE or level 2 qualifications. There are no set rules about the sections that should be included but you may wish to think about including the following:
Personal Information – name, address, telephone and (sensible) email address Personal Profile – a brief summary of who you are, what skills you have and what you are looking for
Education: Start with your degree or diploma and work back through your A levels or other level 3 qualifications and summarise your GCSEs, give the name and city of each institution you have studied at and the dates of your attendance
Experience: Including placements (you may wish to place this with your Nursing qualification in the Education section) part time jobs, previous careers and voluntary work Additional skills – driving licence, IT skills, languages etc
Interests: Make sure this adds value – ‘eating out socialising and going to the cinema’ is not really worth including, try to add something that says something very positive about you and your skills. For example, ‘running 5k races for Cancer Research UK’ says a lot more about you.
References: Your Personal Tutor from University and ideally a Clinical Educator from your most recent placement.
There are many different styles of CV. The following information is based on a style of CV that works well for newly qualified nurses. Don’t be tempted to pay for a CV writing service; you can do just as well on your own with some specialist advice from your University Careers Service.
Be selective:
Remember that your CV is a personal marketing document. You don’t have to list everything you’ve ever done, you can select the information you want to present and the order in which you present it. Always match the information in the CV to the employer requirements. This means that the CV will change according to what you are using it for. Typically, employers spend only a few seconds assessing a CV so it is important that you use a clear layout with good visual impact and make sure key information about you, your skills, experiences and qualifications is well presented and easy to read.
Visual appeal:
A CV should be no more than two pages long and should be printed on plain white or
cream paper with black print in an easy to read font such as Arial, Verdana or Times New
Roman. Use a font size of 11 or 12. Use bold print to make your headings clear.
What to include:
You should present your information in reverse chronological order – most recent experiences first For example start with your University education and work backwards through your ‘A’ levels or BTEC to your GCSE or level 2 qualifications. There are no set rules about the sections that should be included but you may wish to think about including the following:
Personal Information – name, address, telephone and (sensible) email address Personal Profile – a brief summary of who you are, what skills you have and what you are looking for
Education: Start with your degree or diploma and work back through your A levels or other level 3 qualifications and summarise your GCSEs, give the name and city of each institution you have studied at and the dates of your attendance
Experience: Including placements (you may wish to place this with your Nursing qualification in the Education section) part time jobs, previous careers and voluntary work Additional skills – driving licence, IT skills, languages etc
Interests: Make sure this adds value – ‘eating out socialising and going to the cinema’ is not really worth including, try to add something that says something very positive about you and your skills. For example, ‘running 5k races for Cancer Research UK’ says a lot more about you.
References: Your Personal Tutor from University and ideally a Clinical Educator from your most recent placement.