Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Applying for work
CVs
A curriculum vitae (CV) is a structured, written statement
of your career history that has one simple aim - to
get you a job interview! A CV can be used in place
of a completed application form when applying for a
specifi c job or can be sent speculatively to employers
to persuade them to invite you for interview. Remember
that your CV is not a static document - it must be
updated regularly and tailored to suit the particular job
that you are trying to get.
Getting a job in travel and tourism involves a lot of
hard work, patience and prior planning. You will need
to know where to research particular jobs, how to write
a CV and the best way of completing job application
forms and letters. These are covered in the following
sections of this unit.
Research
The precise format you choose for your CV is up to
you. Remember that your CV is a refl ection of you. The
CV is more than just a 'selling' document; it must be a
'marketing' document, i.e. one that matches your skills
and experience to the needs of the employer. Whatever
format you choose, whether it is a CV that focuses on
your skills and achievements or one that emphasises
your academic and employment credentials, there is
certain basic information that must be included:
There are many places to start looking for a job in travel
and tourism, for example:
•
On the internet;
•
Advertisements in local, regional and national
newspapers, e.g. the
Guardian
and the
Daily Mail
have job adverts covering the arts, marketing,
tourism, environment and countryside;
•
Your full name;
•
Advertisements in trade journals and magazines,
e.g.
Leisure Management, Leisure Opportunities,
Travel Weekly, Travel Trade Gazette, Caterer and
Hotelkeeper,
to name but a few;
•
Postal address;
•
Contact telephone number and e-mail;
•
Date of birth;
•
Speculative applications direct to organisations;
•
Nationality;
•
Employment agencies specialising in travel and
tourism jobs, e.g. totaljobs.com and Travel Trade
Recruitment;
•
Education to date (most recent fi rst);
•
Academic and vocational qualifi cations;
•
Employment 'road shows' in public areas such as
•
Employment history (most recent fi rst);
shopping centres and train stations;
•
Skills and achievements;
•
Job centres and careers advisers in schools, colleges
and universities;
•
Interests;
•
Names and addresses of referees.
•
Vacancies circulated by Professional Bodies, e.g.
the Tourism Society, ITT (Institute of Travel and
Tourism), HCIMA (Hotel and Catering International
Management Association), etc.
Some people like to include a short personal profi le
or statement of themselves at the beginning of the
CV to set the scene and give a positive overview. It
is unlikely that you will get the CV right at the fi rst
attempt and you may need several drafts. Remember
also that your CV is dynamic - it needs updating at
regular intervals throughout your personal and
professional development to refl ect new skills acquired,
qualifi cations gained, etc.
You can also investigate what different jobs entail by
visiting websites such as
www.connexions.gov.uk
before putting in an application.
