At South Bank Colleges, we’re committed to helping our existing students not only succeed academically but also prepare for life beyond college. One key aspect of entering the workforce or continuing your studies is having a professional, well-structured CV that sets you apart.
Our Professional CV Clinic is designed to give SBC students all the tools they need to craft a CV that reflects their unique skills and career ambitions. Whether you're starting from scratch or refining an existing CV, our dedicated support team is here to help you put your best foot forward.
What is a CV?
A CV (Curriculum Vitae: sometimes also called a resume) is your personal marketing document. It's typically used when applying for jobs or courses, detailing your qualifications, work experience, skills, and achievements. A well-organised CV can make all the difference when it comes to catching the eye of potential employers or admissions officers.
Here’s what a typical CV includes:
- Contact Information: Make sure your name, phone number, and professional email address are easy to find.
- Personal Profile: A short summary that highlights your strengths, skills, and career aspirations.
- Work Experience: Outline any job experience, internships, or voluntary work, starting with the most recent.
- Education: List your qualifications, including dates and any grades achieved.
- Skills: Highlight any technical or soft skills that are relevant to your chosen field.
- Hobbies and Interests (optional): Show a bit of your personality, but make sure your hobbies are relevant to the role you’re applying for.
- References: Provide at least two references who can vouch for your skills and experience.
Tailoring Your CV for Success
One of the key aspects of a good CV is tailoring it to the specific role or industry you're aiming for. Our Professional CV Clinic will help you do just that, ensuring your CV is aligned with your career goals. The clinic covers the following areas:
- Professional CV layout: Make sure your CV is easy to read and well organised.
- Personal Profile content: Write a compelling summary that captures your strengths and career aspirations.
- Career-specific support: Tailor your CV to your chosen career path, ensuring that it reflects relevant skills and experience.
- Cover Letter guidance: We also provide tips on writing strong cover letters to accompany your CV.
- Employability Skills: Learn key skills that will help you stand out in a competitive job market.
When and Where?
For existing students, our Professional CV Clinic is available at the following South Bank Colleges locations:
- Clapham Centre: Monday/Thursday, 12pm - 2pm (Room: LRC, 3rd floor).
- Nine Elms: Tuesday/Wednesday, 12pm - 2pm (Room: 2nd Floor Digital Spine).
- Brixton Centre: Wednesday, 10am - 12pm (Room: LRC).
To make the most of the clinic, we ask all students to upload their completed CVs onto their Student Pro Portal account before attending. This will allow our team to review your CV in advance and offer more tailored advice during the session.
Take Advantage of This Opportunity
Don’t miss this opportunity to receive professional guidance on one of the most important documents you’ll ever create. Whether you're applying for jobs, internships, or further education, a standout CV is your ticket to success.
For more information, existing students should visit the Employer Engagement and Careers Team in the Clapham Campus - Room B024, or drop by one of our CV Clinic sessions. We look forward to helping you launch your future.