CV (Leaving Cert LCVP): Revision Notes
CV
A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a professional document that presents a complete summary of your personal details, educational background, work history, abilities, and accomplishments in a clear and structured format. For LCVP students, the CV represents a core portfolio item that carries substantial marks and demonstrates your ability to present yourself professionally to potential employers or educational institutions.
Why your CV matters for LCVP
Your CV serves as your first impression with employers and admissions officers, making it crucial to get it right. Within the LCVP framework, a well-crafted CV demonstrates three essential workplace qualities: organisation, attention to detail, and awareness of professional expectations.
A strong CV should always be tailored to the specific role you're applying for, highlighting your relevant strengths, skills, and suitability for that particular position. While you'll typically create your LCVP CV for a specific work placement or career area you're investigating, it should be polished enough for real-world applications.
Remember that your CV is often the first thing an employer sees about you. This makes it essential to invest time in creating a document that accurately reflects your capabilities and professionalism.
Essential CV structure
Your CV should follow a logical sequence with clearly labelled sections. Here's the recommended structure:
1. Personal details
Include your full name prominently at the top, followed by your contact information. For your address, you may choose to list only your town and county if privacy is a concern. Always provide a mobile phone number and ensure your email address sounds professional - avoid casual addresses that might appear unprofessional to employers.
You may also include a LinkedIn profile link if you have developed a professional online presence.
Professional Email Addresses
Your email address should be simple and professional. Use formats like firstname.lastname@email.com or firstnamelastname@email.com. Avoid addresses like partygirl123@email.com or coolguy2007@email.com as these create an unprofessional first impression.
2. Career objective or personal profile
This section should consist of 2-3 sentences that summarise your career goals, key strengths, and what you bring to potential employers. Think of this as your personal elevator pitch - it should immediately communicate your motivation and suitability for the role you're targeting.
3. Education and qualifications
List your educational background starting with your current school, including attendance dates and qualifications achieved or expected. Include relevant subjects and anticipated grades where applicable. This section helps employers understand your academic foundation and potential.
4. Work experience
Present your employment history in reverse chronological order, with your most recent position first. For each role, include the company name and location, your job title, employment dates, and key responsibilities or duties you performed. This section demonstrates your practical workplace experience and developed skills.
5. Skills
Organise your abilities into clear categories such as Technical Skills, Personal Skills, and Languages. This structured approach makes it easy for employers to quickly identify your relevant capabilities and determines how well you match their requirements.
6. Achievements
Highlight significant accomplishments including academic awards, sporting achievements, and competition results. This section showcases your ability to excel and adds credibility to your application.
7. Interests and hobbies
Choose interests that demonstrate transferable skills relevant to the workplace. For example, photography shows creativity and attention to detail, while volunteering demonstrates community engagement and teamwork abilities.
8. References
You can either provide 1-2 references with their contact details (with permission) or simply state "Available on request". References should be people who can speak professionally about your character and abilities, such as teachers or former employers.
Content guidelines
What to include
Essential Content for Your CV
- Specific dates for all education and employment entries
- Concrete examples of tasks completed and skills developed
- Industry-relevant keywords that match the role you're targeting
- Evidence-based achievements with supporting details like percentages, awards, or project completions
What to avoid
Common CV Mistakes to Avoid
- Spelling or grammar mistakes - these immediately damage your professional credibility
- Overly casual language or slang that doesn't suit a professional context
- Irrelevant personal information such as age, marital status, religion, or PPS number
- Exaggerated claims - employers can easily spot inflated or false information
- Unprofessional formatting including inappropriate fonts or layouts
What examiners look for
Assessment Criteria for Your LCVP CV
Examiners assess your CV based on several key criteria:
- Professional presentation - your document should appear clean, well-structured, and easy to read
- Logical sequencing - information should flow naturally from one section to the next
- Relevance - content should be tailored to your chosen placement or career focus
- Accuracy - no errors in spelling, grammar, or factual details
- Evidence of self-awareness - your CV should demonstrate understanding of your strengths and suitability for your intended role
Top Tips for CV Success
- Keep your CV to a maximum of two pages, ideally one page if possible
- Use bullet points to improve readability while maintaining professional language
- Customise your CV for each application by adjusting your personal profile and emphasising different skills based on the role requirements
- Proofread multiple times and ask a teacher or family member to review your work
- Maintain a digital version for easy updates and modifications
- Ensure your CV style matches your cover letter to create a cohesive professional presentation
Key Points to Remember
- A CV is a formal document that summarises your personal information, education, work experience, skills, and achievements
- Your CV is a core portfolio item worth significant marks in LCVP
- Always tailor your CV to the specific role or placement you're applying for
- Include specific dates and concrete examples of your experiences and achievements
- Maintain professional presentation with accurate spelling, grammar, and formatting throughout