Why & how to make a cv (curriculum vitae)?

If you are looking for a job, then it is very important that you understand how to offer yourself in the best way to an employer. This is done by writing a 'CV' (curriculum vitae - Latin for 'life story'), Called in some countries a 'resume'. Different countries may have different requirements and styles for CV resumes. So you must follow the correct practice for your culture and country. However, we will try to give you important principles and advice. A CV resume is quite simply an 'advert' to sell your self to an employer. You should send a CV to an employer when they ask for one in a job advert, or when you are enquiring if any jobs are available. So the purpose of your CV is to make you attractive, interesting, worth considering to the company and so receive a job interview. An employer may have several hundred enquiries about a single job; he or she will only choose a few people who appear suitable for interview Our interactive curriculum vitae (cvs) Builder provides you with an opportunity to create and save your own cvs, View CV examples for other people and can choose HTML CV or flash CV. Review our collection of free sample resumes, cover letters, curriculum vitae, resignation letters, thank you letters, letters to accept, or decline a new job, and more career-related letters you can use for your job search correspondence. A CV or curriculum vitae is a marketing tool. With your CV you will be able to promote yourself. Imagine the CV as being a brochure that will list the benefits of a particular service. The service being your time and skills! When writing a CV looks at it from your employer's point of view. Would you stand out against the competition (the other candidates) and would the manager want to talk you for a possible job? You have to ask yourself these questions when writing your CV or curriculum vitae.

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Look on your CV as the first step of a marketing campaign to a prospective employer. It's your advert and should be:

  • well presented
  • interesting
  • quick to rea
It should also be truthful - don't be tempted to lie on your CV - you will be found out! Remember, a CV is a highly personal document, so you must be comfortable with it.

About CV's
When should I use a CV?
  • when an employer requests one. If an employer asks you to complete an application form - NEVER send a CV in its place.
  • if you are making speculative applications for any type of work - permanent or temporary.
  • if the ad says, send full details to...

What about covering letters?
  • Always send a covering letter with a CV. See Covering Letters for tips

How do I start?
Make a list of all your

  • Academic qualifications
  • accomplishments
  • experience
  • then, pick out the highlights. Remember, don't underestimate yourself
  • check all the dates of school/university attendance
  • check dates details of academic and other qualifications
How long should it be?
  • Two pages at the most. Selectors rarely give CVs more than two minutes on their initial trawl
  • If you are a postgrad, you may wish to add an appendix detailing any research or publications. Don't include this in the body of your CV - it will make it too long
What should it look like?
  • presentation is really important - your CV needs to get its message over quickly
  • it should be word processed on good quality paper - photocopying paper is usually a bit thin, but there is no need to go for thick vellum!
  • most people stick to white paper - if you do choose a colour, think pastels.
  • think about the layout - it needs to be clear and balanced
  • keep paragraphs short
  • use bullet points
  • font size of 10-12 - smaller is difficult to read, larger looks like a primary school project!
  • typeface - is a matter of personal taste. In general non-seraphed face (like this - Arial or Univers) is quite modern, easy to read and no-nonsense. Times New Roman is a little more formal and old fashioned, whilst Comic Sans MS is a bit casual! Try not to get carried away - and once you've chosen a font - stick to it!
  • lots of underlining and italics can be distracting- use bold instead for headings

What should it include?
CVs usually include the following sections, but don't feel you have to follow this format slavishly.

  • Personal Details
  • Education
  • Employment or Work Experience
  • Responsibilities (and achievements)
  • Interests (and achievements)
  • Other Skills/ Additional Skills
  • Referees

Personal Details
Obvious, but this section should contain
  • Name
  • Address (home and term-time)
  • Phone
  • E-mail
  • Date of Birth
  • Don't include marital state/health
  • Only put gender if you have an unfamiliar first name
  • Nationality is not always necessary

Education
Put this in reverse chronological order
  • Degree subject and class
  • A levels / AS levels or equivalent - with grades
  • GCSEs- not necessary to list individual subjects and grades

Don't include
  • Primary school details
  • University and school address
  • Minor qualifications - list these elsewhere
  • A level or GCSE examining boards

Employment or Work Experience
Put this in reverse chronological order
  • You can include all employment/ work experience, paid or unpaid, but you may find it useful to divide it into 'related' and 'other', if appropriate
  • Describe the duties and skills needed, even for basic jobs
  • Expand on the skills developed

Referees
Two are usually enough
  • always ask permission
  • the ideal is one from university, one employer
  • check addresses
  • give postcodes, phone numbers and e-mail addresses
Responsibilities and Achievements
If you have had few formal responsibilities, ignore this heading
  • Concentrate on the last three years (approx.), don't give too much space to school
  • Expand on skills developed
  • Include student membership of committees, organising social events, anything in the wider community

Interests (and Achievements)
Don't just give a list
  • explain what was involved in taking part in the drama production - teamwork, reliability, time management
  • or captaining the cricket team - you need skills in communication, diplomacy, negotiation, motivation ,strategy and planning ,teamwork
  • emphasise achievements. If one of your interests is music, and you represented your county - blow your own trumpet!

Other Skills

  • Odds and ends - like
  • driving licence
  • languages - to what level
  • computing skills - programs, spreadsheets
  • Duke of Edinburgh Award
  • speech and drama
  • music
  • sporting/coaching qualifications

Should I use the same CV for every job?
  • Not really necessary to alter it for individual employers - your covering letter is the place to highlight things
  • Can be useful to change it for different types of employer
  • Sometimes worth it if you are applying for a job that needs particular skills or interests - advertising, or graphic design jobs for example
What is a Personal Statement/Profile?

  • often inserted between name and personal details
  • it summarises experience, skills and ambitions
  • can be useful for those in mid career
  • for example:Highly motivated and committed to a career in the public sector. A good team worker with well developed communication skills, gained through enthusiastic participation in student and community organisations. Varied work experience, including a spell with local authority playschemes.
  • try to avoid anything that sounds like a personal mission statement

I'm a mature student - how should I write a CV?
  • try to anticipate any problems you may face as a mature student within your CV
    explain reasons for returning to education, or changing your career
  • don't leave any gaps - if you have taken time out to have a family, include this time
  • put a positive spin on any experience you may have - for example, if you have been at home raising a family emphasise skill such as:* time management - juggling child care with study or part time work; dealing with several problems at once, rarely without interruption* negotiation skills - vital in child rearing
I want to work abroad eventually - can I use a CV?
  • CV format varies from country to country - you must adapt to your market
  • German employers are far more interested in your academic qualifications than your extra curricular ones
  • A résumé for the US market need only be a page long

Some useful websites about CV or Resume tips. You can view example resume

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