How to Write a Good

Curriculum Vitae

Stand out From the Crowd

Dare to Be Different
Attention Please

This Means YOU!

 What is the aim of this session?

 After watching this presentation you should

have a clear idea of what should and should
not be included in your CV.
 You should be able to identify the best way to
present information about yourself.
 You Should be able to write a covering letter
to be included with your CV.
What is the Purpose of a CV,

When to use
 Your CV - The Purpose
• A presentation to an employer of
selected facts about yourself which
are relevant to a particular post.

• Selling document - “Your CV and

covering letter are marketing
documents with the single purpose of
getting you an interview”
 When to use a CV?

• You should send a CV to an employers when

they ask for one in a job advert, or when

you are enquiring if any jobs are available.

• Requesting letters of recommendation

• Applying for scholarships, honors and

awards
 What is a good CV?
Attracts attention

Creates a good impression

Presents relevant skills and qualities

clearly and concisely

Gets you an interview for the job

What is the employer looking for
in the CV?
 (employer perspective)

Does the CV demonstrate skills that the job

requires?
Does it outline experience relevant to the job?
Has the individual successfully handled similar
challenges in the past?
Does the individual have the right personal
qualities for the position?
 Golden rules

Keep it simple - look, style, language

Make it clear - ensure that the reader

can understand everything

Keep it short - ideally 2 sides of A4 and

definitely no longer than 3 pages

 The Essentials

Take time to check - it must be 100% error

free

Ensure that your CV covers your whole career

Be Positive - accent your achievements and

minimise your weaknesses

 The Essentials (cont.)

Vary your language to keep interest

Know your CV - so that you can talk positively

at interview

Update it regularly to include new

experiences, qualifications and achievements

 CV versus Resume?

 CV - Individually designed summary of

personal, educational and experience

qualifications (as well as Application Form)

 Resume - Written advertisement about your

skills, abilities and accomplishments

 NB! Both require covering letter!

 CV Don’ts

 Use jargon

 Copy someone else’s CV

 Invent information

 Lie about yourself

 Worry about boasting about your strengths

 Use poor photocopies

 CV Don’ts (cont.)

 Use coloured or patterned paper; don't

add borders or clip-art

 Don't use decorative or comical fonts,

don't mix upper and lower case letters
without reason.

 Don't change styles of headings or layout

within the one document.
 CV Don’ts (cont.)

 Don't include anything irrelevant.

 Don't mention your primary school.

 You don't need to give reasons for leaving

previous jobs, and certainly never indicate
any ill feeling about previous jobs.

 Don't finish off a paragraph with 'etc'; this

tells people nothing.
WHAT TO INCLUDE
 Content of Your CV

 Personal details (contact details)

 Profile (personal statement)
 Qualifications
 Employment (work experiences)
 Education and other skills
 Interests
 Additional information
 References
 Personal Details; Contact Details

 Name
 Address
 Telephone number or Mobile Phone number
 E-mail
 Date of Birth
 Photo (Optional)
 Nationality and work permit
Profile; Personal Statement

 Brief but punchy statement, informative

paragraph that makes you sound great!
 Gives readers a really powerful idea of your
career
 Makes them think that you fit their job
 e.g. I am a A with B years experience of C. I
have X skills and a good record of achievement
in Y
 Personal Statement

• You should include at least two positive personal qualities

Examples:

• I am a friendly, confident person

• I am an energetic, caring person

 Personal Statement

• You should also include at least two positive professional

qualities.

Examples:
• I am a hardworking, motivated person
• I am very flexible and experienced
 Personal Statement

• You should also include the highest qualification

you have related to the job you’re applying for.

Example:

• I have a grade C in IT, so I am very comfortable

when required to work with computers.

 Personal Statement
• You should also include the most relevant work
experience you have related to the job you’re
applying for

Example:
• I have lots of customer service experience, so
I am very comfortable dealing with members of
the public.
 Qualifications

• Start with the most recent

• It often helps to put them in a table
Qualifications Grades Name of School / Year Achieved
College
M.Sc Excellent South Devon College 2007

B.Sc Excellent South Devon College 2005

• Only include qualifications that you passed

• If you don’t have any qualifications leave this
section out all together
The first part of your CV should look
something like this…
 Work Experience
• Usually start with the most recent

• However, if you have experience related to the

job you are applying for that is more relevant you
could start with that.

• It often helps to put them in a table

Period of
Name of Establishment employment Overview of Duties

South Devon College Jan-June2007 Answered the phone, dealt with customers, worked
with a database, wrote letters, made appointments
for students
Sainsburys Aug-Dec2006 Worked as part of a team
 Related Experience (Optional)

• Write a brief paragraph outlining any work or

personal experience you may have had related to
the job you are applying for.

• For example…if you want to work with children

and you have childcare experience you could write
about it, but remember to include why this is
relevant!

• If you don’t have experience, don’t include this

section at all.
 Professional Development;
Skills

• List any courses you have done or are intending

to do that will help you to succeed in the
workplace.
• Computer Skills
• AUTOCAD, SAP, ANSYS, MATLAB, etc

• If you are not taking any courses leave this

section out.
 Interests
• On one line list a few things you like to do in
your spare time.

• This shows that you have other interests and

suggests things about your character.

• For example you can write down hobbies that

suggest you are motivated, energetic, sociable,
etc
 References
Provide details of two people that could provide a
reference for you.
(One should be your current employer)
References ideally
• one academic
• one employer - ASK PERMISSION
Include:
1. Name of person and what they do
2. Name of company
3. Address
4. Phone Number
5. Email Address
 Layout

• Spend some time making your CV look

attractive and professional!

• Use a font that is easy to read, use bold

headings for each section and make sure it is
lined up smartly.

• You could consider printing on special paper to

make it stand out.
The rest of your CV should look
something like this…
Putting it all together
 Covering Letters

Your CV should link you to the area of work

The Covering Letter should link you to this

particular opportunity

• Make sure it reaches the right person

• Use good A4 white paper - one page

• Write on one side of the paper

 Covering Letters

• address it appropriately
– Dear Mr………Yours sincerely
– Dear Sir……….Faithfully

• use black ink - photocopies better

• make it neat and legible

• word processed or hand written if your
hand writing is good
 Covering Letters

• Take care with spelling, punctuation,

layout etc

• Draw attention to your strengths

• Deal with administrative matters such as

your availability for interview

• Be brief
 Covering Letters

The address for reply. If another address is

If possible, write to a specific person, with
to be used
name, job title etc.
If not possible, specify title, department after a certain date, include this information
etc of intended reader. Check details. in your letter

Your Address
Employer’s Name date

If you know the & Address

name - A Heading - such as
Dear Mr Smith. Dear……………. Marketing Assistant Vacancy -
For female can show the reader instantly
addressees Heading (if appropriate) what the letter is about
- Miss, Mrs or Ms if
unsure. Main Text
If you don’t know Why you are writing
the name - What you can offer the employer - give evidence
Dear sir…... Administrative information. End Positively

The ending depends on

Yours………..
how
you began -
Signature It is a good idea
Dear Mr….Yours
Your Name to print or type
sincerely
your name
Dear Sir…..Yours
legibly
faithfully
beneath your
signature
 Covering Letters

The Opening

“to apply for the position of…”

OR

“to enquire whether there are any

vacancies as a graduate …”
 Beginning a cover letter

• I am submitting my credentials for your

consideration…
• Avoid overuse of “I” when starting a
sentence.
• Alternatives:
– This letter is being submitted…
– This is to express my interest in…
 Examples of phrases in cover
letters

• To keep myself updated, …

• This year I successfully completed …
• I took part in a research study … under the
direction of…
• As a member of an international team …
• I will continue to participate in educational
activities that will update my skills…
 Examples of phrases in cover
letters

• Thus, I feel I am well-qualified…

• At this time, I would request that you
consider my candidacy for a position.
• Enclosed please find my credentials for
your consideration.
• I look forward to hearing from you.
• If you should have any questions, please
give me a call at …
 Your CV - Key Points
• First impressions count
• Make it user friendly
• Keep it positive and upbeat
• Maximum length - 2 sides of A4
• Target it to the type of work
• Keep it relevant
• Don’t leave unexplained gaps
• Always send a covering letter
 GOOD LUCK!
NOTHING SHOULD STOP YOU NOW.
Write your CV