Your CV is your "advert" to sell yourself to an employer.
What is a CV?
- CV stands for "Curriculum Vitae"
- Curriculum vitae is Latin for "Life Story"
- A CV is also often called a "Resume"
What to Include in a CV
A CV should at least include the following:
- Your personal information
- Your work experience
- Your skills
- Your education
- Your personal profile and interests
- Your references
Your Personal Information
Personal information should include name, address, telephone, and email. I will suggest you put this information at the top of your CV and make it look like a letterhead:
John Webber123 Internet Lane, 4311 North cap, Norway Tel: 020 7650 555, Mobile: 055 778 8 991, email: jwebb@mywebcomp.no |
Save other personal details for a later paragraph.
Your Work Experience
List what you have done - most recent work experience first.
Include a short job description and your responsibilities:
Work Experience2001- Programmer. Northcap IT. Description 1998-2001 Accountant. Northcap Auto. Description |
Make sure your work experience is on the first page of your CV. This outlines your skills and selling points. Additional information should be added later.
Your Skills
Skills are best described with a list.
List your skills - most important and relevant first.
SkillsResponsibilitiesPC Skills |
Don't forget to include responsibilities. Responsibility is a very important skill.
Your Education
Education is best described with a list.
List what you have studied - most recent education first.
Education1995-1998 Bachelor degree. Accounting. University of Northcap. 1992-1995 High school degree. Computing. College of Northcap. Courses & Diplomas2003 XML Diploma. W3Schools. 2001 Internet Programming Course. |
Don't forget subject options, special project, courses, or diplomas.
Your References
List only a few names - like a teacher from your place of study, and a superior from a work situation - and make sure they can easily be reached and are willing to give you a good reference.
Your Personal Profile
Your personal profile should include additional information about your age, status, interests and other relevant information that can produce a positive picture of your character. I will suggest you put this in the last paragraph of your CV.
Personal ProfileMy personal interests include fishing, sailing, and cycling. I am currently the secretary of the Northcap cycling club.
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Employers will be interested in this paragraph because it reveals your character, but be careful. Don't overdo the description of your interest and don't describe interests that might distract your job. If you are coaching a football team, don't count the number of wins. Let them ask you about details in a later interview if they are interested.