CV Writing
Whether you’re applying for university, a job, or something in between, your CV is your first impression. It's your highlight reel. Your brag sheet. Your chance to show off what you've learned, what you've done - and why you’re a brilliant choice.
The good news? You’ve got a whole year’s worth of experience to talk about. You haven’t just “taken a gap year” - you’ve done something meaningful, and it deserves pride of place on your CV.
What goes into a great CV?
A CV should be:
Clear – easy to read and understand
Concise – usually 1 page (2 max)
Relevant – tailored to the role or course
Professional – free of typos, with a clean layout
A solid CV typically includes:
Name + Contact Details
Personal Statement (aka your “about me”)
Education
Experience
Skills & Achievements
References (or “available on request”
Your personal statement - start strong!
Your personal statement is a snapshot of who you are and what you're aiming for. It should be short and purposeful - a paragraph (3–5 lines) that explains:
Who you are
What you’re currently doing
What you want to do next
What you bring to the table
Example:
Motivated and adaptable gap-year tutor currently working with Yipiyap, supporting learners across a range of ages and abilities. With strong communication and organisation skills, I’m looking to build on this experience by studying Psychology at university, where I hope to specialise in educational development.
Experience: Make Your Time at Yipiyap Shine
Here’s where you stand out. Don’t just say “Tutor at Yipiyap” - show what you did and what it says about you.
Example entry:
Peer Tutor – Yipiyap (Sept 2024 – July 2025)
Worked in a secondary school to provide one-to-one and small group academic support across English and Maths, focusing on learners at risk of underachieving.
Planned and delivered engaging, differentiated sessions tailored to individual needs
Built strong relationships with students and staff, promoting learner confidence and motivation
Gained experience supporting SEND learners and adapting sessions to meet diverse needs
Attended a number of enrichment workshops including public speaking, time management and CV writing
💡 Top tip: Use bullet points. Start each with a strong verb (delivered, supported, organised, adapted…).
Skills - you’ve got more than you think!
Your Yipiyap year has helped you build tons of transferable skills. On your CV, list the ones most relevant to the job/course. Here are some examples:
Communication
Organisation
Leadership
Adaptability
Teamwork
You’ve also got time management, initiative, problem-solving and more! You can also sprinkle these into your personal statement and experience sections - don’t just list them all at the end!
Tailor, tailor, tailor!
One CV doesn’t fit all. You might want a general version as your base, but always tweak it depending on what you’re applying for.
If the course or job mentions teamwork, make sure your teamwork example is front and centre. If they want someone with initiative, highlight how you planned and delivered independent sessions.
Common CV Mistakes (and how to avoid them)
Here are some questions you’re likely to be asked, plus how to frame your answers with your Yipiyap experience:
❌ Typos
✔️ Always proofread - or better yet, ask someone else to check it for you.
❌ Being too vague
✔️ Use specific examples and outcomes: “Supported five Year 11 learners in English, helping them gain confidence and improve target grades.”
❌ Waffling
✔️ Keep it focused. You don’t need to include everything - just the best stuff.
❌ Making it too long
✔️ Stick to 1–2 pages max.
A Challenge for You
Create or update your CV using your Yipiyap experience.
Even if you're not applying for anything yet, getting a draft done now will make future-you very grateful.
Start with the basics, and remember: your year with us isn’t just a filler - it’s a feature.