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 Donts
Use jargon
Copy someone elses CV
Invent information
Lie about yourself
Worry about boasting about your strengths
Use poor photocopies

CV Donts (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 Donts (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 youre 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 youre
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 /
College

Year Achieved

M.Sc

Excellent

South Devon College

2007

B.Sc

Excellent

South Devon College

2005

Only include qualifications that you passed

If you dont 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

Name of Establishment

Period of
employment

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

Overview of Duties

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 exampleif 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 dont have experience, dont 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 MrYours 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
If possible, write to a specific person, with
name, job title etc.
If not possible, specify title, department
etc of intended reader. Check details.
Employers Name
If you know the
name Dear Mr Smith.
For female
addressees
- Miss, Mrs or Ms if
unsure.
If you dont know
the name Dear sir...
The ending depends on
how
you began Dear Mr.Yours
sincerely
Dear Sir..Yours
faithfully

The address for reply. If another address is

to be used
after a certain date, include this information
in your letter

Your Address
date

& Address
Dear.
Heading (if appropriate)

Main Text

A Heading - such as
Marketing Assistant Vacancy can show the reader instantly
what the letter is about

Why you are writing

What you can offer the employer - give evidence
Administrative information. End Positively
Yours..
Signature
Your Name

It is a good idea
to print or type
your name
legibly
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
Dont leave unexplained gaps
Always send a covering letter

GOOD LUCK!
NOTHING SHOULD STOP YOU NOW.
Write your CV