University of St Andrews

CVs

At some stage in your career you'll need a CV.  It should be clear, concise and tailored to the job being applied for.  Here are some CV tips:

• The font should be no smaller than size 10 and contemporary in style eg Arial or Calibri
• Headings should be highlighted in bold type rather than block capitals
• Bullet points are useful to highlight your key skills and experience in the work experience and extra-curricular sections
• Don't include a photo (unless specified), your date of birth or marital status on a UK CV
• Make sure you spell 'Driving licence' with a 'c'!
• If you're given the opportunity to upload a CV with an application it is advisable to do so
• Careers advisers run CV and application workshops on Wednesday afternoons, check Events in St Andrews for details and to register.

Some general CV examples are provided below, to give you an idea of the appropriate format and content for a CV for most UK jobs. Undergraduates and graduates usually produce a two page CV, with the exception of CVs for Investment Banking or Management Consultancy  roles, when a one page CV is more commonly used.  There are also examples of a scientific CV, an academic CV and a US resume. For help on completing a CV for another country, Prospects offers advice on writing CVs for 50 countries worldwide. The Careers Centre has numerous books on writing CVs which are available on short-term loan from reception.