- Cover letter
- A short letter (or email) sent with your application explaining why you want the role and why you fit. It should complement your CV, not repeat it word for word.
- CV (Curriculum Vitae)
- A document summarising your education, work history, and skills. In the UK, CV and résumé usually mean the same thing. Keep it concise, factual, and tailored to each application.
- Job specification (job spec)
- The employer’s description of the role: responsibilities, team context, and what success looks like. Read it alongside the person specification to understand day-to-day work versus what they want in a candidate.
- Person specification
- A list of skills, experience, and qualities the employer wants in the ideal candidate — often split into essential and desirable. Use it as a checklist when tailoring your CV and preparing examples for interview.
- Transferable skills
- Abilities you can carry from one job, industry, or life experience to another — for example communication, problem-solving, or project coordination. Career changers should make these explicit with concrete examples.
- Reference
- Someone an employer contacts (usually after a conditional offer) to confirm your employment history and character. Choose referees who know your work well and warn them in advance.
