[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
Objective:
[Write a brief statement about your career goals and what you hope to achieve with this
CV.]
Education:
• [Degree] in [Field of Study], [Name of University/College], [Location], [Year of
Graduation]
Additional information about relevant coursework, honors, or academic
achievements
can be included here.
Work Experience:
1. [Job Title], [Company/Organization Name], [Location], [Dates of Employment]
• [Brief description of responsibilities and accomplishments]
2. [Job Title], [Company/Organization Name], [Location], [Dates of Employment]
• [Brief description of responsibilities and accomplishments]
Skills:
• [List relevant skills such as language proficiency, computer skills, technical skills,
etc.]
Volunteer Experience:
• [Name of Organization], [Location], [Dates of Volunteer Work]
Brief description of responsibilities and contributions.
Extracurricular Activities:
• [Name of Activity/Club], [Position or Role], [Dates of Participation]
Brief description of involvement and contributions.
References:
Available upon request.
Writing a good CV
When you’re applying for a job, a great CV is essential. Find out what to include and
what to avoid for the best chance of getting an interview.
Before reading Do the preparation task first. Then read the article and do the exercises.
Preparation task Match the definitions (a–h) with the vocabulary (1–8).
Vocabulary Definition
1. …… neatly
2. …… bullet points
3. …… to exaggerate
4. …… to highlight
5. …… potential
6. …… the layout
7. …… selective
8. …… relevant
a. possible in the future
b. deliberately choosing some things and not others
c. to bring attention to something important
d. directly connected with what is happening or being talked about
e. the way that something is designed or arranged on the page
f. symbols, usually small black circles, used in a text to separate
each item in a list
g. to make something seem bigger, more important, better, worse,
etc. than it is
h. in a simple and tidy way
Writing a good CV
When you’re looking for work, you need an attractive, clear and memorable CV
(curriculum vitae) that shows your potential employer all the skills and experience you
have for the job.
What should you include in a CV?
This article mainly focuses on writing a UK-style CV. If you’re applying for a job
internationally, be aware that the standard length, format and tone can vary from
country to country. It’s a good idea to check the expected format in the country or
company you’re applying to.
Contact details
Make sure the potential employer has a way of contacting you. Include your full name,
telephone number and email address.
Photo?
In many countries, employers expect to see a professional-looking photo on a CV. In
others, like the UK, Canada and the USA, the law prohibits employers from asking for a
photo, and it is better not to include one. Try to find out if it is usual to include a photo in
the working environment you’re applying to.
Education
List and date the most important qualifications you have obtained, starting with the most
recent. You can also include any professional qualifications you have.
Work experience
List and date the jobs you’ve had and the companies you’ve worked for, starting with
the most recent. It’s usually enough to cover the last ten years of your work history.
Include your job title, responsibilities and achievements in the job. If you have a lot of
work experience, give the job titles but be selective about which responsibilities and
achievements you highlight. Reduce the detail about jobs that are less relevant to the
role you’re applying for and draw attention to the most important experience you bring.
Skills
These could include the languages you speak, the computer programs you can use
well, the class type of your driving licence and any other professional skills you might
have that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.
Eight useful tips
Before you start getting ready to list your qualifications and work experience, here are
eight useful tips to think about.
1. Keep it short … but not too short!
Your CV should be one to two sides of A4 paper. If you find you’ve got too much
information, summarise and select the most relevant points. If it’s shorter than a page,
consider including more information about your skills and the responsibilities you had in
your previous roles.
2. Use active verbs.
When you describe what you have achieved in previous jobs, use active verbs for a
strong positive effect on the reader. For example, to make a change from was
responsible for, use verbs like led or managed (a team / a project); created or
developed (a product / a positive atmosphere); delivered (results/training); and provided
(support/training).
3. Fill in the gaps.
Avoid leaving gaps in your employment history. If you were travelling the world, on
maternity leave or looking after small children, include that in your CV.
4. Make sure it’s up to date.
Always ensure your CV is up to date. Include your most recent experience at the top of
each section.
5. Don’t exaggerate or lie.
Your potential employer can easily check information about where you have studied and
worked. Don’t be tempted to lie or exaggerate about your expertise, because sooner or
later this will be discovered and may result in you losing the job.
6. Spend time on the layout.
Make sure your CV is clear and easy to read. Use bullet points and appropriate spacing,
keep your sentences short, line up your lists neatly and use a professional-looking font
(e.g. Arial font size 12).
7. Check for mistakes.
Mistakes on a CV create a bad impression. Use spell check, reread your CV and ask
someone else to check it for you too before you send it.
8. Include a cover letter.
When you send your CV to apply for a job, you should send it with a cover letter or
email to introduce your application. The cover letter should show your personal interest
in the role, highlight the skills and experience you bring and encourage the employer to
read the attached CV.
Writing a good CV takes time and is hard work, but these tips and your effort will help
you get the best possible start in your job search. Good luck!
Task 1 Are the sentences true or false?
1. It’s always a good idea to include a photo.
2. When you list your work experience, you should put the first job you did
first.
3. The longer your CV is, the better it is.
4. Using active verbs rather than passive structures helps to create a good
impression.
5. It’s better not to mention periods of time when you were not in paid work.
6. You should always tell the truth on your CV.
7. Presentation and small mistakes don’t matter – it’s the content that’s
important.
8. Cover letters are nice to have but not entirely necessary.
Task 2: Put the details in the correct groups
1. Responsible for production in a reputable Seoul-based design firm
2. Led a team of designers to develop graphic and production materials
3. MA in Creative Arts and Design, Leeds Arts University (July 2011)
4. Developed over 200 graphic design projects
5. Diploma in Graphic Design, York College (July 2008)
6. Proficient with Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop and Sketch
7. High levels of critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills
8. Excellent communicator who brings friendliness, confidence and empathy to
leadership and delegation skills
9. BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, University of Oxford (June 1998)
Skills:
Education:
Work experience Chief Graphic Designer, BEE&BONN Ltd:
Sara
123 Main Street
Anytown, USA
(555) 123-4567
sara@[Link]
Objective:
Dedicated and compassionate registered nurse seeking to provide high-quality patient
care in a healthcare setting.
Education:
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Anytown University, Anytown, USA, 2020
Relevant coursework: Nursing Fundamentals, Patient Care Management,
Pharmacology
Work Experience:
1. Registered Nurse, Anytown General Hospital, Anytown, USA, 2020-present
• Provided direct patient care, including assessment, monitoring, and
medication administration.
• Collaborated with healthcare team members to develop and implement
patient care plans.
• Maintained accurate medical records and documentation.
2. Nursing Intern, Anytown Medical Center, Anytown, USA, Summer 2019
• Assisted with patient admissions, discharges, and transfers.
• Participated in patient assessments and provided basic nursing care
under supervision.
• Supported nursing staff with various tasks and procedures.
Skills:
• Proficient in electronic medical record (EMR) systems.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
Volunteer Experience:
• Volunteer Nurse, Local Community Clinic, Anytown, USA, 2018-2019
Assisted with patient intake, triage, and health education initiatives.
Extracurricular Activities:
• Member, Nursing Student Association, Anytown University, 2017-2020
• Participant, Nursing Skills Competitions, 2019
References:
Available upon request.
