How do i make my CV better to get a PT job?

[alevelhelps]

Im 18 and have been struggling to get a part time job after applying for everything i can see since last year

Honestly, this is what chat gpt is for. Run it though and ask it to tailor it to the job description. Ask it to write a letter. Read it to check it hasn't written something nonsensical.

Good for you.

It could do with a general proof-read.

More generally, I would say what course you will be studying at university, and at which one, and in the education section I think you have given your GCSEs more prominence than your A levels, because of the line-spacing in the GCSEs list and because you mention them first.

Ive done this, i havent been successful with this method though.

Thanks, the underlined parts are the names of places, i think im going to redo the education section as well. In terms of where im studying, its not very high ranking so i think it might hinder my application

A cv should be bullet points list of achievements. No paragraphs or complete sentences, those go in the cover letter. This site has good advice

https://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/cvs

I'm on a laptop and I can't make your image legible, but one thing I would say is stop listing out all your exact GCSEs. Look how much space it takes up compared to your actual - presumably relevant - workplace experience.

I'm old enough that I don't even bother with my education at all anymore, but if you feel it must stay on, something like "8 GCSEs, Grade A-C" (or whatever the scale is now. Include what is relevant.

Agree also on bullets rather than paragraphs too. List what you did/achieved in each role, not what it was.

Letters written by AI can be very obvious so even if you use it for ideas, I’d rewrite in your own words.

A few proof-reading things:

Personal profile: delete the comma after “I am eager to take on a position”. Insert full stop at the end of the final sentence.

Then the order of the experiences and achievements bit should be reversed, with the most recent first.

You need to be consistent about whether or not you are using capital letters at the beginning of each word in the individual headings.

You also need to be consistent with layout - the bottom two entries in this section have an empty line between the heading and the text (which I think is clearer). The first three don’t.

Work Experience - admin assistant: “meeting” in the second line should be “meetings” (or “a meeting”). Personally, I don’t like the first sentence at all. You need a full stop at the end.

Duke of Edinburgh bit: you need a space before the dash in the heading. You also need spaces either side of the dash before “qualities” in the final sentence.

St. John Ambulance: if I was being very picky I’d say you needed a full stop after St. You also need one at the end of the final sentence. First sentence should start “As part of…” (not as apart of). I don’t think completing a course is the same as having a role. Have you ever needed to put what you learned into practice (not necessarily by responding to a problem but by being on duty)?

Work experience placement summer 2025: you don’t need to start “During the summer of 2025”. That is obvious from the heading.

Volunteering at Cancer Research shop: no need to start “over the summer I decided to…”. Just say “I volunteered at a charity shop…”. You don’t need the “when” in that first sentence. You have an odd line at the end of the final sentence instead of a full stop.

Education: start with your A levels and the maths qualification. No need to put the whole length of the course in. Just say A levels were 2026 and GCSEs were 2024.

I’d order the GCSEs differently. I can see that you have started with your best grades, but I’d start with English Language and maths, because that’s what people will be most interested in. No need to leave spare lines in between the different subjects. Removing them should give you enough room to put extra ones in the experiences section and to fit it all on one side.

Trying to do this quickly so apologies for any typos of my own! Apologies also if others have already picked up on some of these.

Agree with bullet points and answering the “ so what” question- what impact did you have?
I can’t read the details on my iPad- what skills have you got that are useful to employers? It/ customer service/ babysitting/ hospitality
put in a skills section with a bullet point on each.
prove claims- how can employers know you’re hardworking? What achievements have you got?

Don’t mention your age in your person profile.
I can’t make out the other stuff as it’s blurry but mentioning your age can immediately state no experience and put off a hirer

Thanks so much, very helpful tips.

Personal Profile
I am a dependable, responsible and motivated 18 year old who has recently finished studying A Levels in Biology, Psychology and History at
, Through my work experience in the legal sector, I have developed my communication skills, professionalism as well
as my confidence in working in busy environments. I am eager to take on a position, where I can contribute positively to the team, apply my skills and continue to develop both personally and professionally. 1 am staying in Manchester for University so 1 am looking to establish myself within a role where I can build lasting professional relationships and become a reliable, long-term member of the team Experiences and Achievements
Work experience placement - Admin Assistant at UnRead
My foundation of professional skills was first formed through my legal work experience. Through this opportunity, I was able to observe the demands of a fast-paced and detail-orientated environment. I assisted with filing and orosios documents, observed client meeting and shadowed solicitors. This experience gave me insight into professional standards of conduct and the importance of clear, respectful communication
Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award- 2022-2023 Academic year
I have completed the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award, which strengthened my leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Through volunteering and outdoor expeditions, I developed resilience, clear communication, and the ability to support others-qualities I consider essential in a customer-facing retail environment.
St John Ambulance School First Aid (November 2023)
As apart of my Duke of Edinburgh qualification, I completed a first aid course, a role that has required me to stay calm under pressure, assess situations quickly, and offer support to students in need. This responsibility has helped me develop empathy, quick thinking, and a strong sense of accountability
Work experience placement (Summer 2025)
During the summer of 2025, I further expanded my professional experience through placements at JMW Solicitors and Towers & Hamlins solicitors. Here, I engaged in complex discussions surrounding the outcomes of mock legal cases, which required me to think criticall rticulate my reasoning clearly, and consider multiple perspectives under pressure. These are invaluable skills in a customer-facing rol where challenging situations can arise on a daily basis and the ability to remain calm, communicate effectively, and find solutions quickly is essential.
Volunteering at Cancer Research Charity Shop (Summer 2026)
Over the summer, I decided to volunteer at a charity shop to gain retail experience and to experience when working with customers. During my time there, I gained an insight into how a retail environment operates as learned how to use a cash register and how to maintain the shop floor to maximize sales. This experience helped me to develop my communication and teamwork skills, as well as giving me the opportunity to take initiative when working in a professional environment I
Education
ls - September 2019 to June 2024 GCSE
grades achieved:
History
English Literature 9
RE
Spanish
Combined Science 7-7
English Language 7
Mathematics
Psychology
6
@tember 2024 to June 2026
Level 3 qualification in Mathematical Studies - A A Level Psychology- A, A Level Biology-B, A- Level History- B

For someone with more experience, I’d agree with you, but I don’t think someone of 18 with (understandably) limited experience could be expected to have made much impact in her temporary roles.

Turn the whole intro section upside down. Start with what you want to do, what experience you have in already working towards that and why you will be good at it. Lose the bit about A levels here.

So very roughly

• I am looking for a role as an XYZ (put a name to the role/job here, don't be vague like it is now)I have (work) experience in ABC and DEF
• My (personal skills) are...
• Delete "I am a dependable, responsible and motivated 18 year old who has recently finished studying A Levels in Biology, Psychology and History at xyz". It isn't relevant here IMO - and it certainly is not the most interesting thing for an employer to read.

----
"I am a dependable, responsible and motivated 18 year old who has recently finished studying A Levels in Biology, Psychology and History at
, Through my work experience in the legal sector, I have developed my communication skills, professionalism as well
as my confidence in working in busy environments. I am eager to take on a position, where I can contribute positively to the team, apply my skills and continue to develop both personally and professionally. 1 am staying in Manchester for University so 1 am looking to establish myself within a role where I can build lasting professional relationships and become a reliable, long-term member of the team"

I found the my world of work cv builder tool really helpful for building my cv when I was at a similar stage

www.myworldofwork.co.uk/tools-and-quizzes/cv-builder

@Fifthtimelucky i get your point- other youngsters at 18 I have helped have turned” football referee” into “ referreed ” over 50 matches for 7-16 year olds over a 18 month period,”
or Completed x shifts in a xyz charity shop with a staff of x and a turnover / daily takings of….

Hi based on critiques ive made some edits