Letters and CVs
Posting a letter, application form or CV written and presented to a high standard is often your first opportunity to sell yourself when applying for a potential Sixth Form or College place, Job or Apprenticeship. Most people fall at the first hurdle, because their letters, application forms or CVs don't measure up!
Poor spelling, grammar and layout will cause rejection. Never be afraid to ask someone to proof-read what you've written. Talk through your application with someone who you trust.
When communicating with a potential employer or college, you need to sell yourself in writing in such a way that they will consider your application.
Take a look at the advice below from the helpyouchoose.org website. You can alter the size of the document and save a copy it by clicking on the appropriate symbol as you move your mouse/pointer over the image below:
Selling Yourself on Paper
Sample Letters of Application
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A sample letter of application (for Work Experience, though this can be amended for any situation). You can download and change it to suit your needs. It's a Word document but it can be opened in OpenOffice - the free OfficeSuite. Get it free here. |
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The same letter of application but in PDF format. You can download and print it off. You will need Adobe Reader (or similar) to open the file. Get it free here. |
Application Forms
Always take your time to complete an application form. Print off at least two copies and practice filling it, making sure that you have enough space to write what you want to write. Follow the instructions at the beginning of the application form. If it says use Black Ink and Block Letters, then do what it says. Otherwise you may as well not spend time filling it in, as your application won't be considered.
Take a look at the advice below from the helpyouchoose.org website. You can alter the size of the document and save a copy it by clicking on the appropriate symbol as you move your mouse/pointer over the image below:
Advice about Application Forms from NEXT STEP
(The new, national Careers website)
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On this webpage, you'll find information and advice about how to complete application forms. In particular, it covers personal statements and an interactive task for hints and tips on how to give employers what they want from your application form. |
Creating a CV
A CV or Curriculum Vitae [‹ Latin, lit.: the course of one's life] is an outline of a person's educational and professional history, usually prepared for job applications. Why not use the ideas suggested here to create a good CV?
Take a look at the advice below from the helpyouchoose.org website. You can alter the size of the document and save a copy it by clicking on the appropriate symbol as you move your mouse/pointer over the image below:
