When the time comes to write a CV, you want it to stand out against other candidates. To do that, you will need to impress an employer, not only with your skills and work experience but with the structure and layout of your CV.
Your CV is an employer's first impression of you, so getting it right is essential. Start with out writing tips which will be a guide to you through the CV making process, and use this template to help you construct your new Class 2 HGV Driver CV.
1. Start with a strong personal statement.
2. Follow with your work experience, listing previous roles in reverse chronological order.
3. Include a section for key skills and qualifications relevant to a welder role.
4. You can also include additional information such as hobbies or references, but they’re not as important.
How to Write a Personal Statement for a Class 2 HGV Driver
Your personal statement is the first thing an employer will read, so it’s important to get it right. Keep your statement around 100-150 words in length and use this to briefly write about your relevant work experience and skills.
An employer needs to know why they should hire you for the role, so write with confidence about what you can bring to the table.
Class 2 HGV Driver Personal Statement Example
“I have spent the past seven years in various driving jobs including being a Bus Driver and a Drivers Mate. I am proficient at driving large vehicles and my time as a Bus Driver has made me acutely aware of vehicle safety and maintenance, as I had to keep my passengers safe.
I spent a lot of time route-planning as a Drivers Mate and as such I am used to finding alternative routes for making deliveries. To progress in my career, I would like to develop under your company as a Class 2 HGV Driver, and I believe my extensive experience would suit your role.”
Ideal Work Experience for a Class 2 HGV Driver CV
Becoming a Class 2 HGV Driver requires previous driving experience to develop the skills you’ll need for the job. Write about your relevant experience starting with your most recent role and working backwards.
Which Jobs to Include
It is useful to include any driving jobs or jobs that offer route planning, vehicle maintenance or goods handling. This can include food delivery jobs that require you to plan routes and speak with customers, or mechanics-related positions where you will often deal with vehicle maintenance.
Class 2 HGV Driver CV Work Experience Example
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Delivery Driver at [company name] from [start date] to [end date]
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Developed my abilities to efficiently plan routes and find alternative routes when there is congestion.
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I was always friendly with customers when delivering their items.
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It was my responsibility to perform any vehicle maintenance and make sure my vehicle was road-safe.
Use this layout when describing your employment history and the skills each job provides. Bullet points are useful for splitting up information so that you can talk about individual skills.
Key Skills & Qualifications for a Class 2 HGV Driver CV
A Class 2 HGV Driver will need specific skills and qualifications or certification to obtain employment. These will be listed on the job posting, and you will need to write about any transferable skills that match an employer’s needs.
Important Skills for a Class 2 HGV Driver
There are a few important skills that a Class 2 HGV Driver will need, such as strong driving proficiency, safety awareness and mechanical knowledge to perform vehicle maintenance when necessary. HGV Drivers also need good customer service skills to deal with customers and a good understanding of UK traffic laws to stay safe while driving.
Qualifications Needed to Be a Class 2 HGV Driver
Though there are no qualifications needed, there are some mandatory certificates and requirements, such as a Full UK Driver’s Licence and a minimum of a Provisional HGV Licence. Some HGV Drivers will also need a Certificate of Professional Competence.
We have an in-depth article on how to become a Class 2 HGV Driver if you need to know more.
Additional Content to Boost Your Class 2 HGV Driver CV
Once you have supplied the employer with your work-related skills and experience, you can use a section to mention any hobbies or interests you have that helped you develop your skills.
Hobbies & Interests
If you have any hobbies or interests that have helped you develop some soft skills, you should mention them now. Use this section if you learned teamwork, vehicle maintenance skills, problem-solving skills, organisational skills or other soft skills. These can come from many places such as group activities, an interest in cars, bikes, or other transport, or even an interest in arts or crafts.
References
It is useful to provide one or two references even if an employer does not ask for them. These references should be people who worked closely with you and hold a senior position in the company. They should be able to speak positively about your work ethic and performance.
How to Make a Class 2 HGV Driver CV Stand Out
Only include relevant experience, qualifications and skills. It isn’t necessary when writing your CV and sharing too much irrelevant information, as an employer will only be interested in what you can offer as a candidate and writing too much can be detrimental.
If you have any notable achievements from your previous employment, mention those when discussing your work experience, this can be anything from exceptional reviews to helping a customer with an issue and receiving praise from a manager or senior member of staff.
Structure your CV well with clear titles and keep your information brief, using bullet points to bring attention to important skills.
Mistakes to Avoid
It is important not to embellish the information that you add to your CV, be truthful with your skills and experience. Don’t forget to check your CV for spelling or grammatical errors before sending it, as these can be distracting to an employer, and they may doubt your seriousness. If possible, have someone else read your CV first to make sure it’s easy to understand.
Class 2 HGV Driver CV Example
Once you’re ready to write your Class 2 HGV Driver CV, you can download a free CV template to help you with your writing. This template will help you structure your CV correctly so that your application stands out over others.
