1 – What is a CV?
CV stands for “Curriculum Vitae”, which means (roughly) “The account of life”. Your CV is the story of your life!
Why the Latin? Because the very first CV is said to have been written by the Italian artist and inventor Leonardo Da Vinci in 1482. He was looking for a job and decided to write down his skills on a piece of paper. CVs are sometimes called a “Personal Statement” or, in the USA, a “resume” (pronounced REZooMAY). A CV is an easy way for an employer to see whether you’re the right person to give a particular job.
The first CV was written in 1482!
Do I need a CV?
- If you are of working age and need to sign on for benefits, you’ll be asked for a CV.
- If you’re signing up to an employment agency, volunteering or applying for a course, they are likely to want a CV.
- If you are looking for work, employers like to have a CV so they can quickly see what kind of person you are and what you are good at.
- If you are applying for a job, a CV will be required. Some employers prefer to use their own application forms and tell you not to send a CV. But it’s still useful to have a CV - you can copy the information into the form.
- If you want to keep track of what you’ve achieved in life, a CV is a good way of doing this.