CV GUIDE
A curriculum vitae, or CV, for short, is the main record for your academic and professional experiences. These experiences include: any degrees you hold; your job history; your personal achievements; and any specific skills you may have. If you don't want to read any further, just skip ahead and fill out our CV template. By filling out the fields, you'll automatically generate and upload your very own CV.
If you want to go further, it’s helpful to think of your CV as a marketing tool: it should clearly show the reader (a potential employer) why you are a strong candidate for the job. It may help to look at your CV from the perspective of the employer. What do you think they’re looking for? Which qualities or skills are relevant? And, finally, how can you best highlight aspects of your background to fit what they’re looking for?
Combined with a well-written cover letter, your CV can open a dialogue between you and potential employers. Think of the CV as a conversation starter. Once the employer knows who you are and that you exist, then you may be asked in for an interview. If all goes well, you’ll soon find yourself at your first day of work. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First, you’ve got to know what makes a good CV.
General information: at the heading, put your general contact information: name, surname, local address, email address, phone number.
Education information: List all of your qualifications in this section. In addition to schools you’ve attended, include any certifications you may hold from non-academic institutions. Also, you may want to include any related academic achievements. If you’ve published articles, for example, or received any academic distinctions, note them here.
Professional information: List all of the jobs you’ve had, starting with the most recent. For each job and internship, list the company, city and duration of employment. Also, be sure to include your title and a concise outline of your job responsibilities. Employers often look demonstrable results—they want to see the specific progress you achieved in each position. So try to be specific. If you helped increase sales for your last company, for example, mention by how much. If you helped improve workplace safety, then explain how much. This approach is sometimes called “results reporting,” and employers tend to respond positively to it.
Awards: be sure to list any special distinctions you may have received.
Languages: always list the languages you’re familiar with, noting how well you speak/write each one.
Skills: whether you’re a whiz with computers or a pro with a sewing machine, note any special skills you may have. Again, be specific. If you’ve used specific software programs, for instance, list each one.
Miscellaneous: you may want to include a section for any remaining items that you think may be relevant to the types of jobs you’re interested in. If you’re interested in computer programming and have done some projects for your own personal enjoyment, for example, it would be appropriate to note these projects here.
Once you’ve got all your information typed out, you can tinker around with different formats and fonts. The most important thing to remember is that employers are typically looking for people who are competent and professional. Your CV should reflect these qualities. In other words, whatever layout you choose for your CV, it should present the information in a clear, concise fashion. Avoid extras, like elaborate fonts and flashy images.
Finally, it’s always a good idea to have a friend or colleague proofread your CV (and your cover letter). This is especially true if you’re writing in a language that isn’t your mother tongue. In this instance, it’s of course ideal to have a native speaker review your CV.
There are a million-and-one ways to write a CV. Whatever you choose to do, remember it’s important to be clear and concise. To get an idea of what’s out there, check out these samples.
Coupled with your CV, the cover letter is your chance to introduce yourself to the employer. It’s what gets the ball rolling, so to speak. In the overview that follows, you’ll learn that a good cover letter: introduces the relevant parts of your academic and professional background; outlines your motivation(s) for applying to the job; and explains why you think you’re a good candidate for the position.
To begin, a cover letter should never be longer than one page. Again, think about this from the employer’s perspective. He or she may receive 100 cover letters, so there’s little chance that he or she reads each one thoroughly. This fact shouldn’t discourage you. Rather, it should make you think more strategically about how to introduce yourself in a concise and compelling fashion. If the job description lists a contact person, be sure to address the letter to that person.
Before you sit down to type the letter, read the job description carefully. What skills are they looking for in an employer? What about academic backgrounds? Later, when writing your letter, try to incorporate one or two of the job responsibilities and explain why you would be able to fulfill them.
In the first couple of sentences, you should state (1) who you are, (2) what position you’re applying for, and (3) why you’re applying. Then, you should go into more depth.
In the next one or two paragraphs, try to emphasize the topics mentioned above. Discuss those aspects of your academic and professional life that you think are relevant to the job. Try to be specific, but don’t get bogged down in details. If the employer is looking for a team player, for instance, you may want to tell a brief story that demonstrates how you embody that quality. If they’re looking for a problem solver, describe an instance in which you resolved a problem in the past. If they’re looking for a specific skill that you possess, explain how you learned the skill and how you’ve put it to use. The better you can relate your experience to the job requirements, the better your chances are at grabbing the attention of employers.
Also, it’s important to explain your motivations for applying: why are you applying to this particular job? Does it fit into your broader career goals? What interests you about this line of work? In the end, an employer wants to hire people who are excited about working for his or her company. Your cover letter is the first chance you get to explain why you’re interested in the position—and why you would be a good fit for the company.
Finally, it’s important to show that your interest in the company continues beyond submitting your CV and cover letter. What do you still hope to learn about the company and/or the position? What questions do you have for them? S
At the end of the letter, you should thank the person for their time. Close with an appropriate salutation, such as:
Sincerely,
Regards,
Best regards,
Once you’ve finished your letter, it’s always a good idea to have a friend of colleague proofread it for mistakes. Finally, remember that writing letters is just like any other skill: it requires time and practice to perfect. If you’re unsure about your writing skills, make certain that you set aside some time to improve.
Just like there are a number of ways to write your CV, there also are a number of different types of interviews. Our focus here is on the first interview, which is also sometimes called a screening interview. If you get selected for a first interview, you’ll typically speak with someone from the human resources (HR) department. Whether the interview is conducted over the phone or face-to-face will depend on the company.
Check out CV2U’s top five interview tips.
#1 Do your homework
If you’re not familiar with the firm, learn as much about it as possible. The corporate website is usually good source of information on the company’s history, its business model and its people. If possible, try to find information on the company from other online sources, like newspapers and trade journals. Finally, try to learn about the company from other people. If you know someone who works there, or have any other connections, you may want to consider trying to connect with them. This is sometimes referred to as “networking.” Don’t think of networking as a way to get someone in the company to get you a job. Rather, networking is a process through which you can learn as much about the company as you can—by asking questions of the people who actually work there. Of course, you should be sensitive. If networking is not part of business culture where you live, then you should be more cautious. But, in general, establishing contacts within a company is one of the most valuable ways to prepare for an interview.
#2 Ask questions
If you’ve done your homework, it’s likely that you have some questions about the company and about the job. Keep these questions in mind. There’s a good chance that they’ll come in handy during the interview.
#3 Dress the part
Whether you like it or not, first impressions are really important. If you have a face-to-face interview, you should dress appropriately. Some workplaces are casual. Some are business casual. Some are formal and everyone wears suits. Try to figure out what’s appropriate and then dress the part.
#4 Practice your greeting
In many parts of the world, a firm (but not too firm) handshake is appropriate. In other parts, people bow. Whatever the greeting is, be sure that you come across as calm and professional. Eye contact is also important. And don’t forget to smile!
#5 Relax and be yourself
The first interview is your chance to show the company who you are. If you go into the interview nervous, you’ll probably give a bad impression. Be prepared (see tips 1 and 2), but don’t psych yourself out.
How do I become a member of the CV2U online job community?
First, you have to [sign up for an account]. Then you can upload your resume or CV and modify your personal profile.
How much does CV2U membership cost?
To library your CV, it is free.
How can I pay for my membership?
It's free !!!
Once I’ve signed up, how long will my CV be posted?
From the date of the activation of your account, CV2U will post your CV and profile information for 2 years.
How do I renew my membership?
To renew your membership, click here.
How can I tell who has looked at my CV?
Currently CV2U does not support this functionality. Stay tuned for future updates.