What should a cv be?
The CV (Curriculum Vitae – lit. record of life) is presenting your qualifications, skills and attributes to the employer. CV demonstrates the suitability of an applicant for the job. In compiling CV the applicant has one objective only – to get an interview in order to get a job.
A CV must be accurate, interesting and up-to-date. It must be presentable so that it makes the best impression possible and gets noticed. It should answer the needs of each particular position.
1.11. Study the cv given below. Answer these questions.
What parts does it consist of?
What information is included into each section?
What is her highest educational qualification?
Why do you think the education and experience sections of her CV start with the most recent events?
Why does she give two references?
Why has she chosen these people to be her referees?
Why does she include interests and activities?
CURRICULUM VITAE
Personal details
Name: Fiona Weaver
Date of birth: 7 April 1974
Address: 6 Haymarket, Newcastle, NC1 4YU
Marital status: Single
Education and qualifications
1991-1995 Faraday College of Further Education, Newcastle
- National Certificate in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
(day release from S & T (UK) Ltd)
1985-1990 George Stephenson Secondary School, Newcastle
I hold a clean driving licence. I have been driving for three years.
Work experience
1995 to present Inspection Technician
Sturner & Thomson (UK) Ltd
- Responsible for checking incoming components and completed
products using a wide range of test equipment including
computer-based record systems.
1991-1995 Apprentice electrical technician
Sturner & Thomson (UK) Ltd
1990-1991 Office junior
Brent & Wicker, Solicitors
- Basic secretarial duties-filing, word-processing, telephone
receptionist, in a busy lawyer’s office
Interests and activities
Travel, modern dance, swimming
Reference College: Work:
Mr Andrew Wood Mrs Joy Milne
Head of Department Personnel Officer
Electrical Engineering S & T (UK) Ltd
Faraday College North Street
Cornwallis Road NEWCASTLE NC14 7Tl
NEWCASTLE NC2 3PL
1.12. Write your own cv in English using qualifications you already have or ones that you think you might get in the future. Use the cv in ex. 1.11 as a model.
1.13. Letter of Application
The letter of application, sometimes called cover letter can be as important as the CV because it is the first direct contact between a candidate and an employer. If this letter is not well written and presented, it will make a poor impression. The letter of application nomally contains four parts in which you should:
confirm that you wish to apply and say where you learned about the job;
say why you are interested in the position and your interests are the same as those of the company;
show that you can contribute to the job by describing your most relevant skills and experience;
indicate your willingness to attend an interview (and possibly say when you will be free to attend).