Professional Training
CV Writing Guidelines
The Careers Centre in association with BOC produced this guide to aid with basic principles
of CV writing and to help you apply these ideas to your own CV.
The design of a CV varies a great deal. This guide includes a sample CV and text you can
use with the letter or email you send with it. There are no real rules – every one is
different.
Content – points to consider:

Relevance – your CV should be interesting to read and that means the information
should be relevant to the position to which you are applying.

Think about what you’ve done in the past, whether it’s through your degree, your
work experience, or your free time, that has anything to do with the position(s) for
which you are applying. Concentrate on describing these, even if it means leaving
out cherished items.

Focus – depending on what you are going to use your CV for, you may want to
think about grouping information together. For instance, if you have a lot of
computing experience, and you are going for a position in that area, you could
think about having a section just for those things.

Try to use ‘active words’ – describing your experiences in a way which adds
interest and relevance. This is especially important for CVs posted on the Internet.
There is a list of active words available in the Careers Library, in the yellow file
marked ‘CVs and Application Forms’.

Academic posts – you could include more information about your degree content,
project work and any publications arising from your work. A longer CV is
acceptable in this case.

Nationality – if you are an overseas national with the right to work in the UK, it is
essential to add this information to your CV.
Presentation – points to consider:

A two page CV is acceptable to most employers – more than that may put them
off.

Try out different fonts/underlining/bold.

Aim for good quality, A4 paper, preferably using a laser or inkjet printer.

Balance the text on the page, avoid huge gaps – it makes it easier to read.

As you quite often have to email your CV, keep formatting simple.
Date of Birth: Address:
19th May 1982 Cathedral Court
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH
Tel: 01483 563218
Mobile: 0790 84329
Email:ch04kp@surrey.ac.uk
(Resident until 28.5.2004)
Kim Parkes
Education
1999 – 2004
University of Surrey, Guildford
BSc (Hons) Chemistry with Computing. 2:1 expected
(4-year sandwich course)
Subjects included:
Organic synthetic methodology, medicinal chemistry, molecular
modelling, programming, graphics, networking and laboratory
automation.
Final year project:
A computer simulation of novel drug receptor interactions in the
central nervous system.
1993-2000
Ridge School, Farnham
A-levels (2000) – Chemistry (B), Physics (B), Maths (C)
GCSEs (1998) - 9, including Maths (B) and English Language (C)
Employment
Professional Year
2002- 2003
Research Chemist,
GlaxoSmithKline, Mood Modifiers Department, Bedford
Responsibilities included:

Synthesising pharmacologically active compounds

Reviewing the literature on anti-depressant drugs

Predicting drug activity

Supervising a laboratory assistant

Analysing numerical data

Training a successor
Vacation Work
1998 – 2001
Retail Sales: WH Smith, Farnham
Telesales: Direct Marketing Ltd., Guildford
Key Skills
Practical
Familiarity with a range of laboratory equipment including NMR,
HPLC and other spectrophotometric procedures.
Computing
Confident with Labview and good skills in Excel and Word.
Languages
Speak conversational French – currently undertaking structured
course with certification.
Leadership
Learnt survival skills, decision-making skills and team leadership
on a one-week leadership course in the Brecon Beacons.
Awards and Prizes
University
Departmental Prize for Best First Year Project
School
Awarded the Sir John Riddick Prize for Public Spirit
Responsibilities/ Interests
Union
Secretary of Rag Committee. Actively involved in organising events
which raised £20, 000 in support of the National Children’s Home.
Sport
Regular player for the University of Surrey Squash Team .
Organised Squash Ladder. Like to bungee jump whenever I can
afford it.
Writing
Regular contributor to Bare Facts, the student newspaper.
Teaching
Tutor GCSE and A-level candidates in theoretical and practical
chemistry in a local school.
References
Academic
Previous employer
Dr R Childs
Reader
School of Biological Sciences
University of Surrey
Guildford
GU2 7XH
r.childs@surrey.ac.uk
Dr P Woodward
Head of Drug Department
GlaxoSmithKline
Worthing
Sussex
SU3 4PT
p.woodward@gsk.co.uk
Cathedral Court
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH
2 November 2003
Dr C Goodman
Head of Chemical Research
Novel Compounds Ltd.
Huntingdon
Cambs Cam 1UX
Dear Dr Goodman
I am currently in the final year of a BSc course in Chemistry with Computing. I expect to
graduate with at least Upper Second Class Honours from the University of Surrey
I am writing in response to your entry in Prospects Directory in which you mention an
interest in recruiting research chemists for novel drug synthesis. As you will see from my
enclosed CV, I can offer a considerable amount of relevant experience, including:

Recent employment in a major pharmaceutical research and development
laboratory.

A degree which has included several courses related to drug synthesis.

Familiarity with laboratory procedures and equipment in common use.

Experience of applying computer assisted design techniques to predict potential
drug activity.
I am very keen to apply my skills and experience in the pharmaceutical industry and your
company would provide excellent opportunities to do so. If you would like any further
information I would, of course, be very happy to supply it.
Thank you for considering my application and I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely
Kim Parkes
Enc
Copyright 1998 University of Surrey
This publication may not be copied.