Employability

Guide
Adding Initial
Content to Your
Resume/CV

Guide Contents:
● Worksheet #1:
Start With Your Professional Summary

● Worksheet #2:
Add Your Educational Experience
● Worksheet #3:
Add Your Educational Experience

● Worksheet #4:
No Work Experience? No Problem!
● Guide 1 Checklist
 Employability Guide - Adding Initial Content to Your
Resume/CV

Worksheet 1

Step 1 - Start With Your Professional

Summary
Why is this important?
The decision to include a professional summary in your resume/CV can be a subject of
debate. However, for students, recent graduates, or experienced professionals aiming to
transition into a new industry or career path, it's not just an option, but an essential
element. A well-crafted professional summary offers a unique opportunity to showcase
your motivations and personality. It serves as a concise pitch that highlights why you are
the ideal candidate for the role.

This section is especially crucial in capturing the attention of recruiters, who typically
spend a mere 10 seconds scanning a resume. By articulating your skills, experiences, and
professional aspirations clearly in the summary, you significantly increase the chances of
engaging the recruiter and compelling them to consider your application more
thoroughly.

How to Do it

Start with Your Professional Title: Recent Marketing graduate with a

1 Clearly state your current position or professional
passion for digital strategies and
role. If you're a student or recent graduate, you
brand development.
can mention your major or area of study.

Highlight Your Experience:

2 Briefly summarize your professional experience or
Completed a successful internship
key achievements. For students or recent
with XYZ Corp, focusing on social
graduates, this could include relevant coursework,
media outreach and analytics.
projects, internships, or part-time jobs.
Experienced professionals should focus on
significant accomplishments and skills acquired.

Include Key Skills and Strengths:

3 Mention specific skills and strengths that are Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite, SEO,
relevant to the job. These could include technical and content creation.
skills, soft skills, languages, or any specialized
training.

Specify Your Career Goals:

Eager to bring fresh ideas and a
4 Briefly mention your career aspirations or the type
unique perspective to a dynamic
of position you’re seeking. This helps to align your
summary with the job you’re applying for.
marketing team as a remote intern.
 Employability Guide - Adding Initial Content to Your
Resume/CV

Worksheet 1

Step 1 - Start With Your Professional

Summary
Best Practices

1. Tailor It to the Job Description: Customize your summary for each job
application. If you are applying for a guaranteed position in a specific career
field you should specifically align the content to that career field.
2. Keep It Concise: Aim for 3-5 sentences. Your summary should be a brief
introduction, not a comprehensive overview.
3. Write in the First Person, Omitting Pronouns: Write as though you are
speaking in the first person, but leave out pronouns (e.g., instead of saying “I
am a skilled marketer,” say “Skilled marketer”).
4. Show Your Unique Value Proposition: Explain what sets you apart from other
candidates. This could be a unique combination of skills, experiences, or a
distinct approach you bring to your work.
5. Proofread for Clarity and Professionalism: Make sure your summary is free of
errors and clearly written. This section sets the tone for the rest of your
resume.

Examples

No Previous Work Experience -> Focus on Skills and Academic Experience

Aspiring marketing intern with a focus on digital strategies gained from academic projects like user
persona development and market research. Demonstrated ability to create and analyze marketing
content in university coursework. Eager to apply theoretical insights in a hands-on marketing role,
contributing to campaign success and gaining practical experience

Some Work Experience

Graphic Design student with a growing portfolio from freelance projects, showcasing proficiency in
print design. Combines creativity with practical skills in multimedia and marketing design. Strong
collaborator and communicator, known for effectively balancing client expectations and project
realities. Keen to leverage design talents in a professional setting, fostering productive client
relationships and delivering visually compelling solutions.

A lot of Work Experience

Analytical and results-oriented engineering professional with three years of experience in innovative,
cost-efficient design. Proficient in applied research, content development, simulation, and validation,
with a focus on the alternative fuels industry. Demonstrated success in developing prototypes and
improving marketability for emerging technologies. Skilled in CAD and simulation tools, contributing to
a notable reduction in material costs through enhanced design precision and waste minimization.
 Employability Guide - Adding Initial Content to Your
Resume/CV

Worksheet 1

Step 1 - Start With Your Professional

Summary

How can AI Help?

AI can absolutely assist in crafting your professional summary, but it's essential to
provide accurate details about your skills and experiences. This allows the AI to
effectively translate them into a compelling summary. Remember, it's crucial to
maintain the accuracy of your skills and experiences, ensuring they are not
exaggerated by the AI's interpretation.

How to Do it

1 Find a Professional Summary PROMPT: Please tell me the tone, style, and word
count of the below professional summary:
You like and copy it to AI:
Ask AI to tell you the tone, style, and {Copy and paste professional summary}
word count.
The tone of this professional summary is confident and professional. It effectively
communicates competence and enthusiasm for graphic design. The style is formal and
succinct, focusing on key skills and experiences relevant to a professional setting. This
summary effectively balances showcasing specific skills (like print design, multimedia, and
marketing design) with soft skills (like collaboration and communication). The word count of
this summary is 55 words.

Now ask AI to write your

2 PROMPT: Please write a new summary with the
summary given the your
details including:
● Year of Study and Focus
● What you are looking for
● Skills you bring (list 3-4)
● Key Experience you have had
same tone, style, and word count but using the
below details
● Recent Front-End Development Bootcamp
graduate
● key skills in MySQL, React, HTML, and UI/UX
design.
● During bootcamp completed 2 key projects
including an e-commerce site and fitness
app tracker
● Looking for entry-level role in design focused
front-end development

Recent Front-End Development Bootcamp graduate, equipped with key skills in MySQL, React,
HTML, and UI/UX design. Demonstrated ability through two significant academic projects: an
innovative e-commerce site and a user-friendly fitness app tracker. Seeking an entry-level role in
design-focused front-end development, eager to contribute to dynamic web solutions and
enhance user experiences with a blend of technical prowess and creative design insight.
 Employability Guide - Adding Initial Content to Your
Resume/CV

Worksheet 2

Step 2 - Add Your Educational Experience

Why is this important?

The “Education” section will inform recruiters about your areas of knowledge and the
qualifications you possess. It is especially important If you don't yet have work
experience, so you want to make sure this is well written in order to convince
employers you can succeed in the job.

How to Do it

Include:
1 ● University
● University Location
● Degree/Concentration
(in reverse chronological
order or higher diploma first).
● Pending/recent graduation date.
Write complete degree names. Avoid
2 acronyms such as “BBA” or “MS” but
instead say “Masters of Science”
5 If you have no work experience you will
need to use this space to add relevant
coursework and/or projects!
Coursework
Consider your chosen career field and
note the 3-4 most relevant and
high-level courses you have taken

Do not list your secondary Project

3 education if you have more than 1
Choose one project that was significant
year of university
to your degree, and showcases skills you
will need to use in your internship. Ensure
You do not have to list your GPA
you include a description that shows
4 but if you do ensure you explain
skills and outcomes.
the scale “x” out of “y” (ex 3.5 /
4.0)

Example Education:
University of Manchester, United Kingdom Graduated Sep 2023
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Engineering

Class: 2:1
Relevant coursework: Computer Networks, Database Systems, Information
Systems.

Relevant project: “Smart Campus Navigation System"

Developed a capstone project for my degree, focusing on an innovative,
interactive navigation system for university campuses. Features included
interactive maps, real-time GPS tracking, and efficient route planning,
utilizing HTML, JavaScript, and MySQL
Employability Guide - Adding Initial Content to Your
Resume/CV

Worksheet 3

Step 3 - Add Your Work Experience

Why is this important?

It's crucial to understand that a resume/CV is more than just a list of jobs; it's a personal
marketing tool that highlights your most relevant skills and experiences to potential
employers. The way you present your work experience can significantly impact your
chances of landing an interview. This guide aims to help you effectively articulate your
work experience, making your resume/CV stand out in a competitive job market.
Remember, every professional started somewhere, and this is your first step towards
building a career that reflects your skills and aspirations.

Understanding Work Experience

This includes:
In the context of a ● Part-time Jobs: Even if they seem unrelated to your desired
field, part-time jobs can demonstrate key skills like time
resume/CV, 'work
management, customer service, and commitment.
experience' encompasses ● Internships: These are invaluable for gaining industry-specific
any professional experience and can often be the most relevant experience for
engagement where new graduates.
● Volunteer Work: Involvement in community service projects or
you've applied your skills
nonprofit organizations showcases your initiative and social
and contributed to an responsibility.
organization or project. ● Freelance Projects: These reflect your entrepreneurial spirit and
ability to manage projects independently.
*Projects completed during an academic course or bootcamp can be added directly under education

Relevance

● Match the Job Description: Look for keywords in the job

Identifying which
experiences are most
relevant to the job you're
applying for is a critical
skill. Here's how to
determine relevance:
description and think about how your past roles align with these
requirements. If the job requires teamwork, highlight an
experience where you effectively collaborated with others.
● Industry-Relevant Skills: Focus on experiences that allowed
you to develop skills pertinent to the industry you're interested
in. In this case this is your chosen CAREER FIELD. For instance, if
you're applying for a marketing role, emphasize any experience
where you used communication or analytical skills.
● Transferable Skills: Even if the experience isn't directly related,
identify transferable skills that are valuable in any job. These
include leadership, problem-solving, and organizational
abilities.
Employability Guide - Adding Initial Content to Your
Resume/CV

Worksheet 1

Best Practices for Documenting Work History

How to Structure Your Work Experience

● Use Bullet Points: This makes your experience easy to

read and digest. Each bullet point should be a concise
statement.

Formatting Tips ● Keep It Concise: Aim for brevity while being informative.
Each job entry should ideally not exceed 4-6 bullet points.
● Reverse Chronological Order: Start with your most recent
job and work backwards. This format is preferred as it
highlights your current level of experience and expertise.

● Job Title: Clearly state your position. This helps the reader
understand your level of responsibility and role in the
organization.

● Company Name: Including the name of your employer

provides context and can add value, especially if the
Key Elements to company is well-known.

Include ● Location: City and state are sufficient. This can be

important if the job is in an industry hub or a location
known for specific industry strengths.

● Dates of Employment: Include the month and year you

started and ended each role. If you are still in a position,
you can write ‘Present’ instead of an end date

● Use Action Verbs: Start each bullet point with a dynamic

action verb like ‘managed’, ‘developed’, ‘led’, or ‘created’.
This portrays you as an active and capable contributor.

Describing Your ● Quantify Achievements: Wherever possible, use numbers

to quantify your impact. For example, “Increased sales by
Role and 20% in six months” or “Managed a team of 10 people”.
Responsibilities ● Highlight Skills Developed: Focus on skills that are
transferable and relevant to the job you’re applying for.
For instance, if you managed projects, highlight your
organizational and leadership skills.
Employability Guide - Adding Initial Content to Your
Resume/CV

Worksheet 3

Step 3 - Add Your Work Experience

Examples
Marketing

Digital Marketing Intern

Innovatech Solutions | Austin, Texas June 2023 - December 2023

● Assisted in developing and implementing digital marketing strategies, contributing to a

15% increase in online engagement.
● Managed and updated social media accounts, improving follower interaction by
creating engaging content and responding to queries.
● Collaborated with the marketing team to design and implement email marketing
campaigns that resulted in a 10% increase in newsletter sign-ups.
● Analyzed website traffic and user engagement metrics using Google Analytics,
providing insights that shaped future marketing strategies.
● Developed skills in SEO and SEM, contributing to a 20% increase in organic search
traffic.

Data Science

Data Science Intern (Remote)

XYZ Tech Solutions | Dubai, UAE Jun 2023 - Dec 2023

● Conducted data analysis on customer feedback to identify key areas for product
improvement, using Python and SQL.
● Collaborated remotely with the product development team to implement data-driven
enhancements, resulting in a 15% increase in user satisfaction.
● Developed a predictive model to forecast customer trends, achieving 80% accuracy.
● Presented findings to senior management via virtual meetings, demonstrating strong
communication skills and the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights.

Legal

Legal Science Intern (Remote)

Harper & Associates Law Firm | Shanghai, China May 2023 - August 2023

● Conducted extensive legal research on commercial law cases, providing valuable

insights for case preparation and strategy development.
● Assisted in drafting legal documents, including contracts and briefs, under the
supervision of senior attorneys, enhancing understanding of legal language and
document structure.
● Participated in client consultations via video conferencing, gaining experience in client
communication and legal advisory.
● Compiled and organized case files and evidentiary materials digitally, ensuring efficient
access and management of information for remote teams.
 Employability Guide - Adding Initial Content to Your
Resume/CV

Worksheet 4

Step 4 - No Work Experience? No Problem!

Volunteer experience
Just because you did not receive money for your time, impact, or effort, does not mean
you should not include it on your resume. Volunteering or unpaid internships are a
great way to gain important skills and should definitely be included on your resume
under ‘professional experience’ or ‘additional experience’.

Sports and Club participation

Were you a president, member or leader showcasing skills in communication,
management, time management, advocacy, etc.? This should be listed under ‘additional
experience’ or ‘activities’. If you are really lacking job experience, you can add 1-2 basic
bullet points that outline your role.

A. Supported women’s lacrosse team as defensive captain, leading small group fitness trainings
for 2-7 teammates in between practices as well as attending monthly team leadership
planning meetings.
B. Succeeded in winning 2 silver medals at national Technology Student Association competition
in Entrepreneurship Innovation division competing against 50+ competitors.

Project-based experience
Project-based experience
A
A great
greatplace to show
place applied
to show experience
applied is through
experience is projects
through that you completed
projects that you forcompleted
a certificate or
for a
degree
certificate or degree program. Now you should not list all your projects but select 1 role
program. Now you should not list all your projects but select 1 or 2 that directly apply to the or 2
you are applying to
that directly apply to the role you are applying to.

Feasibility
Feasibility Study
Study January
January 2017
2017 –
– May
May 2017
2017
Business Management, University College of London
Education Management, University College of London
●
● Completed
Completed aa 40-hour
40-hour course-based
course-based project
project sourcing
sourcing the
the feasibility
feasibility of
of a
a new
new higher
higher education
education
establishment
establishment in Tanzania, culminating in a 20-minute presentation and 60 page report.
in Tanzania, culminating in a 20-minute presentation and 60 page report.

Indirect Work Experience

This can come in the form of part time jobs such as server, cashier, barista, camp
counselor, lifeguard. When getting started these can be very important to show that as
a candidate you have had experience with:
● Maintaining a set schedule and remaining ● Customer service
accountable
● Time management
● Hierarchies of professional workplaces
● Problem Solving
● Internal/external communication
Employability Guide - Adding Initial
Content to Your Resume/CV You haveClick
only on the
10 seconds
to catch the attentionto
to access the ‘How of the
do it’
Checklist & Resources
recruiter! Follow these steps
to improve your CV to stand
out. Click on the 🛈 icon to
learn how to do it.

CV Checklist

Content
❏ Is one to two pages long
❏ Has a 'Header' section
❏ Header' includes the correct contact information
❏ Has a 'Summary' section (optional)
❏ 'Summary' is relevant to the job description and includes keywords
❏ Has an 'Education' section
❏ The information in 'Education' is relevant to the job description
❏ 'Education' is in reverse chronological order
❏ Has a 'Work experience' section
❏ Job experience information contains Dates, Role Title, Company and Country
❏ Responsibilities and key achievements do not use acronyms
❏ 'Work experience' is in reverse chronological order
❏ Description of responsibilities and key achievements are listed in bullets
❏ Description of responsibilities and key achievements start with an “action verb”
❏ Responsibilities and key achievements include keywords related to targeted role
❏ Responsibilities and key achievements include numbers that quantify the contribution
❏ Responsibilities and key achievements do not use abbreviations
❏ Has a 'Additional activities' section (optional)
❏ Contain 'Activities or achievements' that are relevant to the job description
❏ Has a 'Skills' section
❏ Skills listed are relevant to the job description
❏ Includes both soft and hard skills
Formatting
❏ Looks consistent (overall)
❏ Page margins are optimized
❏ Uses horizontal lines to divide sections
❏ Does not include text boxes nor columns
❏ Uses Sans-Serif font
❏ Uses 10~11pt font
❏ Section titles are bold
Other
❏ Is saved as .pdf or .doc (MS Word)
❏ File name clear and appropriate
❏ English version is checked

Resources

● Webinar: Updating Your Resume/CV

● How to list your achievements in your CV
● 25+ Information Technology (IT) Resume Examples for 2022
Your CV is the first thing a
recruiter sees, make it the
best possible first impression
with great format and
content!

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