Writing an Equine CV/Curriculum Vitae/Resume
Writing an equine CV doesn’t have to be daunting, long-winded or time-consuming. Yes, all the bells and whistles are great for demonstrating some less relevant skills, but actually, a lot of that stuff isn’t necessary when working with horses. When employers and I look at a CV (along with a properly constructed jobseeker profile) we want to see, where relevant, a complete career history without unexplained gaps or omissions which if then later uncovered will just cause many to doubt the honesty and integrity of all the information supplied 🙁
We also want to know, as a minimum:
- In your horsey working history, what jobs have you done and where did you do them?
- What was your title and basic duties?
- How long did you stay in each job?
- What made you leave?
A little bit of who you are and what you like doing/what’s important to you outside of work is nice to know also to help us build a picture of you before we call 🙂
Recruiting is a very inexact science, often after all these years, I just have an instinct with who might fit with who, it’s a “nose” gained from many years of talking with you all but that knowledge usually started out being assessed via a good basic CV and a well completed Jobseeker Profile.
The Grooms List even offers you FREE OF CHARGE a template to drop all this information into… #thegiftthatkeepsongiving #whatareyouwaitingfor #onaplate
download your FREE CV template here!
Caroline
Looking for Work with Horses: Part 2 – your CV
The importance of your equine CV should never be underestimated – yet it all too often is, especially by those seeking a role as a groom, instructor, rider, yard manager etc work in the equine industry. Whether this mindset is borne of the fact that the majority of equine careers progress from a childhood hobby, or whether so many equine careers start out through random opportunities and word or mouth, I don’t know, but it is a mindset that equine job seekers need to change. A CV is not the daunting prospect that many seem to think it is, as Caroline has already mentioned.
If you baked a coffee and walnut cake but didn’t bother to add the coffee and the walnuts it would still be a cake but not such a good cake, so you wouldn’t do that – so why do it to your CV?
Why does it matter so much?
When writing an EQUINE CV it is worth saying (because lots of people seeking horsey jobs have also worked outside of the equine industry), your CV needs to include equine AND non-equine employment, even voluntary work needs to be included. Your CV provides information to those reading it which (hopefully) demonstrates logical moves and progression within your working life.
Looking for Work with Horses: Getting Started – your Jobseekers Profile explains the consequences of not making time to complete your Jobseekers Profile, so you may think that with a detailed, inviting Jobseekers Profile you have no need for an equine CV – but you’d be wrong. In your Jobseekers Profile you aren’t going to list all of your education, qualifications and employment history, so your CV provides this information without you having to type it all out again. Please note, writing an equine CV is not an alternative to a properly completed Jobseekers Profile, it is an enhancement to it.
In just about everything in life, the key to success is in the preparation. It may feel like you’re just too busy to spend time completing an online Jobseekers Profile, finding your CV and updating it, then responding to emails and phone calls from recruitment agencies and employers – but without investing this time a quick and successful move to a good job just isn’t gonna happen!
The ingredients of a good CV
The definition of a CV: Formal presentation of a job applicant’s education, skills, and work experience.
1. Basic details
Say who you are (obviously!) and give your contact details:
- Your name
- Residential Address
- Telephone number/s
- Email address
2. Summary of skills
Highlight your key skills, e.g. BHSAI, competition groom, Ski instructor etc.
3. Your employment history
Every employer is going to be more interested in your most recent employment through to your first employment, so add your most recent job first and work your way back, including any voluntary work you’ve done:
- Your job title
- Where you worked
- When you started and when you left
- What you did as part of your daily job, your responsibilities etc
- Why you left the job
4. Education and qualifications
After your employment history detail your education and qualifications, also in reverse order (most recent working backwards).
- School/College/University
- Date graduated/qualified
- Qualification gained
5. Any other information
Anything else that could be relevant to job application. Many people include details of things they’ve done that aren’t necessarily work related, e.g. that they’re into photography or steward at events etc.
I’m looking for my first job and I don’t have anything to put in my CV!
Er, yes you do! This is absolutely the best time to create a CV! You can set up the canvas for a life-long record of your employment history. Include what you can from the ‘ingredients’ above, keep your CV somewhere safe and update it with everything you do over the forthcoming years.
Update! Update! Update!
Don’t forget about your CV, it’s an important and valuable document! Keep it somewhere safe, update it regularly and do include all work placements, qualifications, achievements and milestones throughout the years. Your CV needn’t be a pain in the proverbial to maintain if you are conscientious and add to it as you go.
If in doubt, give us a shout!
If you are struggling with writing an equine CV, or you’re not sure what to put, please do contact us! We are always happy to help you. We want you to find your perfect job through The Grooms List, and we are always more than happy to discuss your requirements, answer your questions and point you in the right direction. You can call, email or message us on social media. Make use of us! That’s what we’re here for!
Next steps
If you haven’t already got a CV, download your FREE CV template here!
Learn about job longevity and making a good employment history for your CV here.
New to The Grooms List? Add your FREE Jobseekers Profile here.
Need to spring clean your Jobseekers Profile? Access and update it here.
Want tips on getting your equine job application accepted? Click here.
Need help writing your equine CV, or are you after some quality equine careers advise from equine recruitment specialists? Browse our articles here, or contact us for FREE one-to-one, confidential advice.
Are you a member of the BGA? Find out more here.
