Writing a CV
(Curriculum Vitae )
What is a CV?
selling tool
outlines your skills and experience
opportunity to present yourself in the best possible
light
Source: Writing a CV by Nada Vukadinović
How to present myself?
Highlight your experience
Show personal attributes and achievements
Show your education and related training
Make yourself attractive, interesting, worth
considering
Make the CV short & easy to read
! do not oversell yourself
Source: Writing a CV - Nada Vukadinović
Which elements are approprite for a CV?
work history
DOB
education
skills
references
a photo
number of children
hobbies & interests
weight, height, health
list of publications
Source: Writing a CV - Nada Vukadinović
Types of CV
Chronological
Information included under general headings: education,
work experience, etc., with the most recent events first.
Skills based
Skills necessary for the job are highlighted.
Speculative CV - sent not based on any advertisement
match your skills, experiences, education with the skills of the
job requires
Sent to right person if possible by name
Emphasis on achievements and results. It should be given in
quantifiable terms
Source: Writing a CV - Nada Vukadinović
How to start?
EVALUATE YOUR SKILLS
What do I have to offer? - what am I selling?
List down: technical knowledge, menagerial skills, IT,
languages, etc...
personal strengths & interests
Example:
Bad: Sold books to clients located in Slovenia
Good: Increased sales by 17%
Sequence of headings
Objective
Personal information
Education
Awards
Work experience
Skills Set and Personal Attributes
Voluntary work (if you have done any)
Extracurricular activities, interests and hobbies
References
Objective (Profile)
Phrase a realistic objective or leave blank:
Examples:
"An executive creative position where extensive
marketing, writing, management, design, and
technical skills are required, preferably within
Database Management“.
“Desire a position in the office management,
secretarial or clerical area. Prefer a position
requiring responisbility and a variety of tasks”.
Personal information
your age
nationality
Address
Tel. No.
E-mail
Not to include
Age
Ethnic identity
Political affiliation
Religious preference
Hobbies
Marital status
Sexual orientation
Place of birth
Photographs
Height, weight, health
There are exceptions to some of these items !
Education
listed with the most recent first, including results
professional development courses, again listed with
the most recent first
Example:
Education:
MEd University of Manchester
BA University of Ljubljana
Training courses:
On-line course
management
Teaching ESP
Report Writing
2002
1973
The E-Consultants
Universtiy of Essex
The British Council
2004
1997
1995
Awards
Awards demonstrate your achievements to your
employer
Forget about any awards you received prior to 7 years
Give the award details with quantifiable terms
Work experience:
Reverse chronological order!
Include relevant experience and results
Grants (honors) awarded
Employment history
Part time jobs – tuition, data entry, etc.,
You may have taken a position during your holidays
State your employer, position held, responsibilities, Duration
and Key achievements
For eg: Sales Assistant, Rama retails shop, 2.6.2005 to till date
My role as a part time sales assistant, I am responsible for
assisting customer with their enquiries and processing sale
transactions.
Key achievements: Demonstrated excellent customer service
Communicated effectively with customers to ensure that
their needs were met.
Voluntary Work
Some activities that you may have done on a
voluntary basis
This area will help you to tell an employer how
you have learnt new skills, worked with a team
and learnt responsibilities for your assigned
work.
For eg., Volunteered library work
Organising educational tours
Mobilizing fund for some disaster areas
Community based activities
Work Experience -example:
1989 – to date Quality Assurance Technician
Created computer applications with the help of a programmer to
monitor the factory environment.
Analysed
the
quality
assurance
system
and
made
recommendations for improvements. These were incorporated
into the current quality assurance system.
Examined equipment in the factory to check that it met the
company standards.
Investigated new equipment installed in the factory to make sure
that it would comply with quality assurance procedures
Skillsets
This section tells the employer what skills you
have that fit the position they are looking for.
Try to describe the skill you have and how you
have demonstrated it.
For eg., Key boarding skill – with wpm
Communication skill – I have been a member
of the debating team at school
Basic Computer Skills – I regularly use email
to communicate with other people and the
internet to research topics of interest.
Skills
Languages (fluency)
Specific skills (techniques and equipment, computer
programs, technology and other technical skills)
Words describing personal abilities:
Creative, efficient, proficient, systematic, hard worker,
prefer to act, well versed in..., willing to take initiative,
like to work in one place, enjoy challenging experience,
persistance to work underpressure, first-hand
knowledge of..., having a desire to learn
Words describing responsibilities:
Responsible for ...:
Planning, implementing, reviewing, negotiating,
managing,
coordinating,
evaluating,
directing,
facilitating, inspecting, training, producing, providing,
informing, executing, developing....
Interests & Activities
Optional
Outside responsibilities and interests
References
This is the final part of the C.V.
Include the names, organisations and contact numbers
of people who can act as referees for you.
Give them a call and ask their willingness to act as a
referee for you.
DO’s
Be brief - a two page resume is ideal
Prepare CVs for individual companies
Customize your resume for your job target
Use action verbs/ positive words – it will create
strong impact. eg. motivated, monitored, created,
analyzed, coordinated etc.
DONT’S
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Avoid folding your CV
Don’t include irrelevant information – previous
Salary, unproofed awards, prizes and
publications etc.
Say what you did, not what you think
Personal information – marital status, religion,
health, native place etc.
Avoid unusual font size, stylish letters, graphics,
underlining and unusual spacing etc.
Avoid repeating information
Avoid personal pronouns (I, my, me)
Don’t outsource, do it yourself.
CV Writing Tips
Focus on the job you want
Emphasis on achievement and results
Easy to read design and language
Spelling mistakes are unforgivable
Education or employment first
Quantify every statement
Ask someone to review your CV
Covering Letter
The cover letter reflects your communication
skills and to some extent your personality
Name and address -Left side top
Date- Right side top
Head the Letter - Subject and Reference
The middle paragraph – Brief description of your
education and experiences
Closing - The closing in which you propose step for
further action. Don’t end with hit the mark, use
sentence with gentle and polite manner
.
Useful web pages:
http://www.alec.co.uk/index.htm
http://www.handsoncv.co.uk/