For many job applications, your CV is your one shot to sell and pitch yourself as an experienced and qualified candidate. A hiring manager or recruiter will only take a few seconds to read this over, so you must keep your pitch optimized. This means it is easy to read, visually neat, and specifically tailored to this position. As a history student, you want a CV that showcases your unique understanding of history, the world, and politics, but also illustrates your transferable skills for corporate, financial, communication, or any other adjacent sector you may be applying into.
Here’s a basic breakdown of how to best highlight and showcase your skills and experience on your CV:
Objective:
As you advance in your career, many career coaches will tell you to get rid of your objective. However, if you are a student or someone who does not have a lot of work experience to fill up a CV, you should include it on your CV. As a history student, use this as an opportunity to quickly explain what your strengths are and what skills you have gathered for your academic and work experience.
You may want to include things like organizational skills, quick examples of coursework you’ve done, or how the type of person you are makes you the ideal candidate.
Education:
Your education section will also become less relevant as you advance in your career, but as a student or recent graduate, it should remain at the top of your CV. It should also include both your university and A-Levels. If your marks are or are expected to be high, you can include them. If not, don’t have them waste space on your CV. Similarly if you are closer to graduating or have graduated, you can also remove any GCSEs marks. If you have the space on your CV, you can also add in relevant modules you have taken at university to show that you are well versed in the specifics the job if looking for.
Example Relevant Modules: Global Histories, Art Histories, Decolonization, Global Trade and Empires
Work Experience:
Work experience is the most important part of your CV. If you have a lot of work experience, you can split this section into relevant and additional work experience or just include the relevant experience. Regardless of how much experience you have, all of your descriptions should follow this formula:
action word + accomplishment and how it was quantified + positive impact it made on the company
This formula helps to show how you specifically are a change-maker and asset to every place you work. As a history student, you may be applying to more communication forward jobs and you may want a way to show your writing skills beyond just your work experience. At the top of your CV, you may want to include a shortened link to a portfolio or link it on an online application.
Skills:
This is a quick section to highlight any research or writing skills that you are qualified to use for this position. You can also include any relevant certifications in this section. Check out my topic on all the skills history can include: CV Skills for History Students⏳
Conclusion:
A well organized and impactful CV can make or break whether or not you advance in the job process. Take this as an opportunity to show off your best self and why you are the best candidate for the job!