A CV is a marketing tool which should include information about your experiences, achievements, education and interests. It should give an employer a good understanding of the type of person you are and whether you would be right for their business.
A CV should be kept to 2-3 pages maximum in order to keep the reader's attention. Remember that the person reading your CV may have already read 10 others, uneccessary information is going to be an immediate turn-off. It is recommended that the CV you post on this site is a general one, broadly aimed at the broadcast industry. If you apply for a job through the site, then tailor your CV or covering letter to the company you are applying to at that point.
Frequently we see CVs submitted that have "Dear Sir, I am writing to apply for the position of XYZ" at the start of them - obviously reused from a previous application which doesnt look good.
Include a short profile at the start of your CV as a way of introduction. This can highlight your key skills or strengths and can be a quick and easy way to give a good impression of yourself whilst demonstrating your aspirations. Try to avoid jargon or "stock phrases".
Including your education is very important. Companies often refer to which university you have studied at or what grades you got in your GCSEs or A-Levels when looking for skills that complement your main degree. Companies like Christy Media will often search the site for potential candidates for roles that may not even be advertised. Title and type of degree is one way that they will often narrow the search.
If your grades are good then shout about it! If they are not so good, then you should still include the names of qualifications as the time spent studying these subjects is valuable experience.
If you have gained work experience in the broadcast or media related industries it would be beneficial for this to appear before any other work on your CV. For each role, make sure you provide the company name and location as well as a short description of the service they offer and the role you performed.
Include hobbies or interests, companies are becoming increasingly interested in the type of people they employ.
References should be included at the end of the CV. If you do choose to leave them out, just add "References available upon request”.
Ensure that the CV is well laid out and that the fonts and spacing are appropriate.
Proof read your CV to make sure there are no grammatical errors or spelling mistakes- don't rely on 'spell check'.
Ask a friend or relative to read through the CV for you, as a fresh pair of eyes will spot any obvious mistakes or typos. You won't impress a prospective employer if you haven't paid proper attention to your CV. Likewise, the information that you put into broadcastgraduate.com's registration form. Attention to detail is KEY!
