Writing a Winning Curriculum Vitae - Tips and Advice for Crafting Your CV

1. Writing a good CV

2. What is a Curriculum Vitae (or CV)? • A curriculum Vitae in Latin Means “the course of one’s life”

3. Purpose of the CV • Your introduction to future employers • Employment record • Education and training record • Highlights experiences, skills, talents, etc.

4. The difference between a Resume and a Vitae Resume • Length: Short (one page) • Content: All-inclusive summary of qualifications and educational experiences • A marketing tool • Purpose: to get an interview or employment Vitae • Length: As long as it takes • Content: Area-specific listing of education and academic background • Purpose: promotion and tenure, employment, grants, specialist positions, awards, etc.

5. Where to start? • Gather information • Work history • Education history • Accomplishments/Awards/Achievements • Unique features/qualities/skills • Research Experience • Publications/Presentations

6. Where to start? • Organize • By time frame • By category (eg. Education, Work, etc) • By importance

7. Design your CV well Your CV must be easy to read. • Paper - white paper is best • Font size:10-12 point for text; 14 or 16 for headings • Font style: Arial is best, then Tahoma, Garamond • You can use bolding, italics, underlining, and CAPS for headings • Boxes, tables: do not use them, not helpful • White space is good, don’t cram your CV on one page!

8. Proof-read • One obvious aspect of good CV writing is proof-reading for: • Spelling • Punctuation • other errors. • CVs should be checked, drafted, re-drafted and then checked again. • Make sure that your CV is the best document you possess. It could make all the difference to get you that interview!

9. Order of Contents in CV • Personal details • Name (as a heading rather than ‘CV’) • Address (term-time and home) • Telephone number • Email address • Education and Qualification • Achievements: events, lectures, seminars, conferences, workshops…etc. • Objective: indicates the type of work you are seeking • Personal statement: highlights a person’s professional attributes and goals and why someone should consider your application • Professional Experience and Employment History • Skills: computer skills, administration, research skills, personal skills: flexibility, effective communication, teamwork, initiative, language ability • Memberships and Affiliations • Honors and Awards • Research Experience • Publications • Volunteer experience and Community Service • References

10. Educational Qualifications • Should be written in a reverse chronological order • With dates and name of the Institution • Degrees/certifications are what is important – not time spent • Don’t include poor grade – grade point average • Include any degree honors or certificates, prizes, awards or accomplishments you achieved during your study • Write ‘degree expected’ if you have not yet graduated

11. Educational Qualifications Example

12. Tips on Professional Experience and Employment History section • Includes anything was extensive • Only list items relevant to academic work • List most recent first

13. Sample of Professional Experience and Employment History section

14. Skills • Effective communication • Teamwork • Administration • Initiative • Language ability

15. Tips on Honors and Awards section Awards demonstrate your achievements to your employer • List most recent first • Honors/Award Title – then date received • Include all relevant academic awards/recognition and dates received.

16. Publications section • Include submitted and/or pending publications or presentations • Make sure you indicate others you worked with

17. Sample of Publications section

18. Volunteer experience and Community Service • This section shows that: • This prospective employee is willing to try new experiences • Be involved in community • And will take initiative and make things happen

19. Sample of Volunteer experience and Community Service

20. References or Referees Referees are people who can attest to your work habits, skills, and accomplishments such as: • Current or past employer(s) • Supervisor(s) • Professors • Advisors • Choose references carefully • List full name, title, institutional address, telephone, email, fax. • Be sure your references know they are listed.

21. Sample of References or Referees section Referees 1- John Manning Lecturer in Financial Services University of Canberra Tel: 6201 7623 Email: John.Manning@canberra.edu.au 2- Carol Wilson Office Manager Smith and Jones Accountants 21/9 Green Avenue Barton ACT 2600 Tel: 6234 0917 Email: Carol.Wilson@SmithandJones.com.au

22. What is a cover letter? • A cover letter generally accompanies a CV • An important part of an application – not just a formality • Highlights your key skills and suitability for the job clearly, concisely and positively • It is targeted at the job/sector you are applying for • It complements and develops the information in the CV rather than duplicates it

23. Opening paragraph • Why are you writing? -Name specific job vacancy and where advertised-State broad type of work you are interested in, on what basis (e.g. work placement, full time) and when you are available • Who are you?

24. Sample of cover letter first paragraphDear Ms Belmore:I was excited to see your advertisement for the Youth Coordinator position on Augsburg College’s Career and Internship Center website. I have been looking for a position that would allow me to work with youth and make a positive impact in their lives.

25. PARAGRAPH 1 I am writing ... - explain which job you are applying for and how/where you heard about it other useful phrases: • I noted with interest your advertisement for a .... in today’s edition of ... • I am writing in response to your advertisement in ... for the position of ... • I would like to apply for the vacancy advertised in ... • I am interested in applying for the post of ... • With reference to your advertisement in ... • As you will see from my CV ... • I have enclosed a copy of my CV, from which you will see ... • Please find enclosed a copy of my CV.

26. Middle paragraphs • Why that organisation and why that job?- demonstrate qualifications, knowledge of and interest in both- make links through your degree subject if appropriate • Why you?- why should they consider you?- what key skills/strengths can you offer?- support your statements with evidence Department of Student Services

27. I recently graduated from Augsburg College with a bachelor of arts in psychology. During my senior year, I did an internship at Family Services where I coordinated and recruited volunteers for their Youth and Family Mentoring Program. Within that position, I was also able to do intakes, casework and develop an at-risk youth awareness program. My education, internship, work, and volunteer experiences have increased my abilities in the following areas:▪Effectiveness in developing and implementing programs for youth and families▪Excellent interpersonal and intercultural communication skills▪Ability to recruit, interview, and retain volunteers▪Effective intake and assessment skills▪Successfully Supervised 20 first year students▪Strong public speaking and training skills

28. PARAGRAPH 2 • Sincegraduating ... • - brieflydescribeyour most relevantqualificationsand/or experience • otherusefulphrases: • I am currentlystudying …. at … • Aftergraduatingfrom …, I … • Sinceleavinguniversity, I have … • On leavingschool, I … • Havinggained a degree, I … • While I wasworking at … • Duringmyemployment at … • I am currentlyemployed at …

29. I wouldwelcome ... • - explainwhyyouwantthejobandwhyyouthinkyouwouldbegood at it • otherusefulphrases: • This post interests me because … • I wouldwelcomethechance to gain more experienceof … • I wouldbegreatful for theopportunity to improvemy … skills. • I haveextensiveexperienceof …

30. other useful phrases: • If you consider that my experience and qualifications are suitable … • I am available for interview any afternoon and would be pleased to discuss the post in person. • I will be available for interview from … to … • I can arrange to attend an interview whenever convenient for you.

31. Closing paragraph • Polite ending – convey interest and enthusiasm in the role • Indicate any times available/not available for interview. Department of Student Services

32. Last ParagraphMy work, education, and leadership experiences have allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. I am passionate about your mission to help children grow and build relationships and believe that I can make an important contribution to the Kids ‘n Kinship organization. Enclosed is my CV for your further consideration. I thank you in advance and look forward to meeting with you soon. I can be available for interview next Monday the 28th of December.Sincerely,Jake R. SampleJake R.

33. DONT’S • Avoid folding your CV • Don’t include: • Irrelevant information • Previous Salary • Unproved awards, Prizes, and publications etc. • Say what you did, not what you think • Don’t include: • Personal information such as Religion, Health, native place etc.

34. DONT’S • Avoid unusual: • font size • stylish letters • Graphics • Underlining • unusual spacing etc. • Avoid repeating information • Avoid personal pronouns (I, my, me)

35. CV Writing Tips • Focus on the job you want • Emphasis on achievement and results • Easy to read design and language • Avoid spelling mistakes • Education or employment first • Ask someone to review your CV

36. Thank You Questions?