Effective CV

Writing
Bibaswan Ghoshal
Teaching Assistant, ALES 204
Graduate Student
Department of Agriculture, Food and
Nutritional Sciences
University of Alberta

1
Image on left: CV, URL: http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR8NEuWoLjHYrd2hrmoZocuIVUNiWRfh50QotiOBp1Kf9LyPKmeFQ, Feb 12, 2012 2
Image on right: Business man and woman, URL: http://snobtopia.com/files/2011/11/business-man-and-woman.jpeg, Feb 12, 2012
 3
CV Purpose, URL:"http://www.gradjobsuncovered.com/img/gju_employer_registration_engagement.jpg", Feb 12, 2012
 Curriculum Vitae
Curriculum Vitae (CV) means "course of life" in Latin

A CV is a written description of your work experience,

educational background and skills

A CV is a typically a "living document" which will reflect

the developments in a professional's career

4
 Purposes of a CV
Marketing tool: First impression is the one which lasts

Request for an interview: We are always looking for

jobs

Your big picture: A detailed snapshot of your

professional and academic life

5
 CV Formats
Chronological

Functional

Chrono-functional
/Combinational/Combined

6
 Chronological
Reverse chronological
order
Widely used for
corporate sector
Mainly used by
individuals with
Solid work history
Few or no gaps between
jobs

7
Chronological CV, URL:"http://img.docstoccdn.com/thumb/orig/22708087.png", Feb 12, 2012
 Functional CV
Focuses on the skill set
of an individual
Mainly used by
individuals
with significant gaps in
employment
a mixed employment
background
very short work history

8
Functional CV, URL:"http://img.docstoccdn.com/thumb/orig/44419483.png", Feb 12, 2012
 Chrono-Functional CV
Specific work experience
Specific skills and talents
Used mainly by
individuals
Freshly graduated from
school
With uninterrupted
work history
Applying for specific
jobs

9
Combined Resume, URL:"http://www.resume-resource.com/Examples/functional-resume-sample.gif", Feb 12, 2012
 Functional Types
Academic
Used for academic applications (graduate student
applications, scholarship applications)
Usually more detailed
Focuses mainly on academic achievements,
Relevant projects and courses mentioned

Corporate
Used for getting jobs
Specific to the needs of the employer
Focuses mainly on work experience and relevant
academic affiliations
10
 CV Format
Header
Objective
Education
Honors/Activities
Work Experience
Research Experience/Projects

11
 Header Section
Name
Must be the first line of resume
Bold
Larger than the largest font used in body
Address
Current address preferable
Email Address
Use professional email addresses preferably with
name
Phone number
Preferably use both home and cell phone numbers
12
 Name

Address

Phone Number
Email Address

13
Image Source: Personal
 Objective Section
Optional but highly recommended
Statement must be clear, concise and to the point
Bad: I want to get a job
Weak: To attain an internship in livestock industry.
Good: To attain an internship in the livestock industry
with detailed insight into genomics and bioinformatics.
Avoid being over specific
Target the companys perspective

14
 Education Section
Educational qualifications from highest to lowest
Do not use high school details once you have
graduated
Must include years in school

15
Image Source: Personal
 Work Experience Section
Experience should be listed in reverse chronological
order
POSITION TITLE, ORGANIZATION NAME, CITY,
STATE/PROVINCE, DATES EMPLOYED (Include
months unless this shows big gaps of unemployment )
Describes specific roles in bullets

16
Image Source: Personal
 Research Experience Section
Focus on relevant research experience
Must include graduate level research
In reverse chronological order

17
Image Source: Personal
 Honors/Activities Section
This section should scream I am a leader
Must contain all academic and professional awards
May include extra-curricular awards
Include a brief description if not self-evident from
title
Dont include hobbies or activities not related to
the job or your story
Good to include leadership positions

18
 References
One of the most crucial things
Follow the requirement
If not mentioned, then On Request/demand
Ask referees beforehand
Use the best ones

19
 Additional Sections
Professional Certificates/Licenses
Specialized Experience
Publications/Theses
Additional Training/Assistantships
Membership/Affiliations
Volunteer Experience/Community Service
Language or Computer Skills
Continuing Education

20
 Types of CV
Scannable

Electronic Email
Resume
Paper HTML

21
 Electronic CVs
Scannable
Best to use black color fonts
Use proper font type (do not try anything fancy)
Many companies scan paper resumes into their database

Email Attachment
Currently the most widely used delivery method
PDF most widely used format
Easily convert your Microsoft Word CV to PDF using
various online resources (www.pdfonline.com)

22
 HTML Resume
Ease of access
Shows your creativity
Easily available and free of cost from many service
providers like google
Link to different sections of your CV
Very detailed
You can add forms of social media like twitter,
facebook pages and personal/professional blogs

23
 Tips
Use Action Words

24
List of Action Words, URL:"http://www.my-easy-resume.com/image-files/action-words.gif", Feb 12, 2012
 Dos
Professionalism
One page only (for corporate CVs)
Stick to the truth
Focus on achievements and results
Maintain a consistent writing style
Avoid the use of I or my
Modify your CV according to requirement

25
 Dos
Use easy-to-read language
Get grammar and punctuation correct
Follow the instructions
Proofread
Spell Check
Update your CV regularly

26
 Donts
USE ALL CAPITAL LETTERS
Harder to read
Avoid whitespace
Actually avoid using border lines
Include a picture of yourself
Its not the cover of a fashion magazine
Use extremely professional image when asked by employer
Use several fonts to catch their attention
Creates a ransom effect
Use Times New Roman or Arial
Focus on you and your needs
Employers are not interested on who you are but what you can
do
27
 Donts
Use templates to construct your resume
Dont use fancy ones
You have got other ways to show your creativity
Use superlatives to emphasis your work
Informative and stick to the basic facts
Use long flowing sentences
Short, concise and to the point
Print your resume on day glow paper
It is not going to an art workshop
Illogical Order Use
Use relevant information at the beginning
28
Bad Resume Examples, URL:"http://img.docstoccdn.com/thumb/orig/22467385.png, Feb 12, 2012
Bad Resume Example, URL:" http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ViJKBVHeG3U/SMau560W8BI/AAAAAAAAFns/BC-Hb9gPB8M/s400/bad-resume-sample-
page4.jpg, Feb 12, 2012