CURRICULUM

VITAE AND
COVER LETTER
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 CURRICULUM VITAE VS. RÉSUMÉ

• CV (UK, Europe)
• Latin expression - can be loosely translated as [the] course of [my] life
• curricula vitae, curricula vitarum (Pl.)
• résumé (alt. resume) (US, Canada)
• a typical résumé contains a "summary" of relevant
job experience and education

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 WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE A CV?

• to INTRODUCE yourself • To inform the employer about

• to show YOUR ATTRIBUTES your education, work
• to show YOUR SKILLS experience, skills and interests
•
•
to show YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS
to show YOUR QUALIFICATIONS
• To ‘sell’ these qualities and to
persuade the employer to invite
• to provide RELEVANT information you to an interview
• to get an INTERVIEW

First Impressions Count!

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 GENERAL SET-UP SUGGESTIONS

• same font throughout (may vary • margins – 1” all around

sizing) • use bolding and caps to have
• font size: 12 point best things stand out
• regular paper when printed • number your pages
• no underlining • no graphics
• single sided • full name on every page

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 TIPS FOR A CV

• clear – well organized and logical

• concise – relevant and necessary
• complete – includes everything you need
• consistent – don’t mix styles or fonts
• current – up-to-date

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WRITING A CURRICULUM VITAE

Do’s Don'ts
• collect information • leave gaps
• be positive • use relatives as referee
• think about layout • tell lies
• put your name at the top • use an inappropriate
• include dates voice message
• show skills that relate to • use an inappropriate
the job you are applying email address
for

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 WHAT SHOULD BE ON A CV?

• Start with contact information

• full name
• permanent mailing address
• e-mail address that won’t expire
• phone numbers
• Education & Training
• Professional Experience (employment)
• Interests or Hobbies
• References
• Extras

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WRITING A CURRICULUM VITAE

Skills and Abilities

• Think of the skills that you have or would be good at ...
• communication
• research and investigation
• organisational skills
• information management
• design and planning
• working with people

• Circle the top five skills you have gained through work
experience and hobbies.

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WRITING A CURRICULUM VITAE

Education and Training

Sept 2006-July 2011 The Purple School, Any town, SE38 7AD
GCSE’s Achieved:
English Literature B; English Language B; Science B;
Religious Studies B, Music C; ICT C; Maths C;
Physical Education A.

Sept 2009-July 2011 The Yellow College, Any town, Any place, AT12
BTEC: Childcare, Merit

July 2010 Anywhere Youth Club, Any town, AT12 7AW

Junior Coaching Award

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 TIPS ON THE EDUCATION SECTION

• most current schooling first (include your current educational work)

• get the school’s names correct!
• degrees/certifications are what is important – not time spent
• list thesis/dissertation titles
• start with the most recent
• don’t forget your current study
• mention relevant modules
• you might like to mention top marks
• you don’t have to put your grades on if you weren’t happy with them
• include the years of study
• primary school not needed

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Education and Qualifications

2011 – Present University of Kent

BA (Hons) Fine Art
Modules include: Contextual Studies, Creative
Investigations
Project: Communication and Critique

2009 – 2011 Maidstone Grammar School

A-levels: Media Studies (A), Art (B),
Information Technology (C)

2005 – 2009 Wrotham School

GCSEs: 8 GCSEs including English and Maths

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 WORK EXPERIENCE

• there is no need to list every job you’ve ever had – detail

the most relevant
• don’t just list your duties – sell your skills - which skills are
relevant to the position/company you are applying to?

• dates, name of company, position and skills:

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What examples can you give from your work experience?
If you have no paid work experience, give examples from voluntary work or
from your course
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 INTERESTS AND ACTIVITIES

Choose interests and activities which can demonstrate skills

relevant to the job such as:

• teamwork
• organising
• commitment
• your intellectual abilities
• your personality
• your artistic ability

Talk about your passion for music/art etc.

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 ADDED QUALIFICATIONS SECTION

• should be verifiable
• include language fluency
• cultural knowledge – maybe. especially if you have had hands-on
experience
• anything else special

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 REFERENCES

• Ideally, one academic and your manager

• Ask permission from your reference and let them

know what position(s) you’ve applied for

• Use relevant references if possible

• You can say ‘references available on request’ rather

than including contact details if you wish

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 COVER LETTERS

• cover letter, covering letter, motivation letter, motivational letter or

a letter of motivation is a letter of introduction attached to, or
accompanying another document such as a résumé or curriculum
vitae

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 COVER LETTERS

• vital to your cv (first page)

• demonstrates your writing style/language skills
• points out important info
• one page
• clear, concise
• spell-check
• relate your skills to the job
• say when you are available
• try to find the name of the person you are writing to

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 COVER LETTER
• Your Contact Information
Name
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Phone Number
Email Address
• Date
• Employer Contact Information (if you have it)
Name
Title
Company
Address
City, State, Zip Code
• Salutation
Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name, (leave out if you don't have a contact or using Dear Hiring Manager or one of the other examples below)
• Body of Cover Letter
The body of your cover letter lets the employer know what position you are applying for, why the employer should select you for an interview, and how you will follow-up.
• First Paragraph
The first paragraph of your letter should include information on why you are writing. Mention the position you are applying for and where you found the job listing. Include
the name of a mutual contact, if you have one.
• Middle Paragraph(s)
The next section of your cover letter should describe what you have to offer the employer. Mention specifically how your qualifications match the job you are applying
for. Remember, you are interpreting your resume, not repeating it.
• Final Paragraph
Conclude your cover letter by thanking the employer for considering you for the position. Include information on how you will follow-up.
• Complimentary Close
• Respectfully yours,
• Signature
• Handwritten Signature (for a hard copy letter)
• Typed Signature

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 HOW SHOULD YOU START WRITING A
COVER LETTER?
•I have just completed my final year at
the University of
•I am a final year law student at the
University of
•As a law undergraduate at the University
of Kent I am looking for
•Currently I am pursuing a degree in .... at
the University of
•My name is .... and I am a final year
student at the
•My name is .... and I am writing in
response to your advertisement
•I am writing to apply for the post of .... in
your company
•I am writing in response to your
advertisement in/for
•I am writing to enquire if you have any
vacancies for ....
•I was very interested to read your
advertisement for
•I was most interested to read your
advertisement for
•Further to your advertisement in ...., I
should like to apply for
•With reference to your vacancy for a ....
•I enclose my CV for consideration of the
post of
•Please find enclosed my application for
the post of
•As you will see from my CV
•I am seeking a placement within a
•I am currently looking for an entry-level
post in
•I am very keen to work for .... because of
your reputation for
•Your company has an excellent
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reputation for the training of graduates ...
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