18 May 2020
Setting out your skills and experience for a cv or completing a job application form can be daunting. Some of us think we have too much to say, while others, especially those just starting out in the world of work, believe they don’t have enough!
Farming Connect has produced online bilingual guidance for producing a ‘stand out’ cv – one that will get noticed – for all the right reasons - by a prospective employer! Or in fact anyone else who needs to be impressed by you and your credentials!
The guidance gives suggestions on where to start; formatting; what to include; ordering and has lots of helpful ‘top tips’. It includes a typical farm worker’s cv as well as a blank template you can adapt as required.
Two young agriculture students from Newtown College, part of the Neath Port Talbot Group of Colleges, were asked to update their own cvs, based on the guidance.
Elin Orrells (18) whose family farm at Abermule in Montgomeryshire said that at first, she found completing the new cv quite daunting and time-consuming. But having gone through the process, she’s delighted with the result and says her former ‘basic and boring’ cv has disappeared forever!
“After reading the Farming Connect online guidance, I realised that if I didn’t put more time and effort into my cv, it wasn’t in any way going to reflect my individual skills, characteristics and experience.
“Setting out what you’ve actually learned or achieved seems vain, but if you don’t, you are leaving out what could be the most relevant information.”
“By focusing on the outcomes of what I had achieved and learned through working on the farm, from taking on key roles within my local YFC and county branch and through work experience, I already have a lot of skills which I hope prospective employers will be looking for and value.
Nia Powell, also a student at Newtown College and 17, lives at home on the family beef and sheep farm in Abbey Cwm Hir near Llandrindod Wells.
Nia says that her first cv, produced while she was still at school was ‘flowery – full of boxes and colourful graphics’ but admitted it was thin on useful content. Having taken on board the Farming Connect guidance, she is delighted with her new, more professional approach, which she hopes will impress any potential employers and get her that all-important interview or follow-up!
“It’s so tempting to go with the most basic format, listing what you’ve done and when but if you do that, nobody is going to appreciate what particular skills you can bring to the job you are applying for.
“Seeing how well laid out and informative my new cv is has given me more confidence in my own abilities and skills.
“I think any employer would feel they know what I’m capable of and could make an informed decision on how I would fit in to their workplace.”
Sue Lloyd-Jones is Head of School, Catering, Hospitality and Agriculture at Newtown College. Sue says there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to producing a good cv and advises thorough research.
“Farming Connect’s approach gives comprehensive guidance and tips which encourage you to focus on transferable skills which could benefit a potential employer.
“This is a very useful tool which can be adapted for many levels of working.
“It will take a bit longer, but it should inspire you to look beyond the ‘easy option’ cv versions and hopefully help you achieve your personal goals.”
To access the Farming Connect cv guidance and templates visit the ‘Skills & Training’ page.
Farming Connect, which is delivered by Menter a Busnes and Lantra, has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.
Elin Orrells:
Nia Powell: