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Compact Oxford English Dictionary for Students

Sample CVs

Employers often receive hundreds of applications for every job, so it's vital to make sure that your CV/résumé and job application letter create the right impression and present your personal information in the most effective way.

Click here for more on job application letters and emails.

You'll also find extra information on writing CVs/résumé and job applications in the dictionary centre section.

Firstly, here are some general CV do's and don'ts:

DO

• read the advert carefully and tailor your CV/résumé to match the job you're applying for
• be concise when outlining your education and employment history
• try to keep your CV/résumé to one or two sides of A4 paper
• use brief, informative sentences, short paragraphs, and standard English
• structure your CV/résumé in a logical way, with a limited number of main sections
• begin with an action verb when describing your duties (see the CVs/résumé below)
• use bold type or bullet points to highlight key points
• proofread your work for spelling, grammar, and punctuation (many employers just discard job applications that contain such errors)
• see your college careers adviser: they'll have a range of sample CVs/résumés and will be able to help you when writing specific applications
• update your CV/résumé regularly, as your situation changes

DON'T

• go into too much detail: employers are too busy to read rambling and unfocused CVs/résumés
• leave gaps in your employment history: it's better to add a sentence explaining any periods that are unaccounted for (such as a gap year)
• forget to read your CV/résumé for both content and mistakes (you could also ask someone to read it for you)
• use many different typefaces: keep to one or two that are clear and easy to read
• brighten up your CV/résumé with inappropriate colour, photos, or graphics
• name people as referees unless you've already confirmed that they're happy to provide a reference for you

Here are some guidelines on two broad approaches to writing CVs/résumés, one suitable for students embarking on their careers who haven't had a full-time permanent job, and one for students who've worked for several years and who'll be returning to full-time work after their studies.

Starting out on a career

If you come to university or college directly from school, sixth-form college, or after a gap year, you're likely to be applying for your first full-time permanent job when your course ends. This means that, after giving your personal details, you should structure your CV/résumé in the way shown below, first outlining your education and qualifications and then any work experience, part-time or temporary jobs, and other skills.

Structure of CV/résumé

1. Personal details:

• name
• address (home and college address if different)
• telephone number (home/mobile/college if applicable)
• email address
• personal profile (a summary outlining who you are and why you're a worthwhile employment prospect for this particular job)

2. Education and qualifications:

• if you're studying for a qualification in higher education, start with this, making it clear that your studies are ongoing and when the course is due to end
• if you've completed any other further or higher education, state this next
• give your school or schools and the dates you attended them, together with:
• a list of all your A-level (or Scottish Higher) subjects and grades
• brief details of GCSEs, Scottish Standard Grades, or equivalent qualifications (only give full details of these if the employer has specifically asked for them or the subjects are relevant to the job in question)

3. Employment history:

• if you've had several temporary or part-time jobs, list the most important in chronological order, starting with the most recent
• give a brief summary of your roles and responsibilities, focusing on those most relevant to the post you're applying for
• if you've worked in a variety of short-term jobs that aren't relevant to your current application, you can summarize these as, for example, 'various temporary retail posts'

4. Any other skills, achievements, or training:

• list any relevant courses or training (e.g. IT qualifications, knowledge of a foreign language)
• mention significant awards and other achievements, or positions of responsibility at college

5. Interests or pastimes:

• a brief overview of your interests or hobbies will help your potential employer to gain an insight into the type of person you are

6. Referees:

• you can either give contact details of two people who'd be willing to give you a reference or say that references are available on request
• if you're providing specific names and this is your first job, you could use a tutor, teacher, or anyone (apart from your family) who knows you well enough to vouch for you

Here's an example of a CV/résumé for a student starting out on her career. She's applying for a job as a Business Analyst with an international company. (see her covering job application letter)

Sara Anne Green Address (college): 26 Windmill Road Bristol, BS2 6DP Telephone (mobile): 0778 6050912 Address (home): 47 Gerrard Street Manchester, M20 4LZ Telephone: 0121 423170 Email: sara.green@amail.com A well-organized and outgoing Business Economics student graduating in June 2007 with good communication and analytical skills, looking to develop a career as an economist within an international business environment. Fluent Spanish speaker experienced in the use of spreadsheets, databases, and similar business software. Education and qualifications: September 2004 to present: BA (Hons) in Business Economics City University, Bristol (graduating in June 2007) September 1996-June 2003 Manchester School 4 A Levels: Economics (A), Information and Communication Technology (A), English (A), Spanish (B) 9 GCSEs (including A* grades in Economics, Spanish, English, Mathematics, ICT, and German) Employment history: July-September 2006 Administrative Assistant MKL Smith & Co (Accountants), Manchester Duties included: using spreadsheets to sort and chart financial information administering client database assisting PA with routine admin tasks July-September 2005 English Language Teaching Assistant, EFL International, Seville, Spain Duties included: assisting teachers in preparing lessons administering student database liaising with local companies to organize student activities July 2003-August 2004 Various jobs (including voluntary and hotel work) and travel in Spain and Latin America, gaining a valuable insight into the culture and spoken language of those countries. Other qualifications and skills: Advanced Certificate in MS Word, MS Excel, and MS Access (evening course, September-July 2006) Full driving licence Interests: Netball, travel, swimming References: Dr Thomas Clark Senior Lecturer in Business and Management Department of Business Organization and Strategy City University Bristol BS1 2ER Ms Susan Hunter Senior Partner MKL Smith & Co (Accountants) 231 Parker Street Manchester M20 6QR

Returning to full-time work after your studies

If you've been working full-time for several years before coming to college you may be planning to follow a new career path after your studies or you may want to use your qualifications to return to your previous career at a higher level.

Your CV/résumé should make it easy to trace your career path: potential employers will be interested in the fact that you've had experience of full-time work. Use your CV/résumé to focus on any employment experience that's relevant to the job you're applying for and then give details of your education and qualifications to date, followed by any other skills.

Structure of CV/résumé

1. Personal details:

• name
• address (home and college address if different)
• telephone number (home/mobile/college if applicable)
• email address
• personal profile (a summary outlining who you are and why you're a worthwhile employment prospect for this particular job: you could also mention here that you're currently studying in higher education)

2. Employment history:

• begin with your most recent job, briefly outlining your role and responsibilities (especially those most relevant to the job you're applying for)
• working backwards, list any other jobs you've had in chronological order: don't go into great detail about these unless you want to highlight any aspects relevant to your application
• if you've had several less important jobs that aren't relevant to the job you're applying for, you can summarize these as, for example, 'various administrative posts'
• if you've been raising a family, unemployed, or taking another career break, say so: it can create a negative impression if you just leave gaps in your employment history
• treat any significant periods of unemployment in a positive way: you could outline any activities or initiatives you did, such as carrying out voluntary work

3. Education and qualifications:

• if you're still studying for a qualification in higher education, start with this: you could add a heading or subheading (for example, Current studies) to make it clear that your studies are ongoing
• if you've completed any other further or higher education, outline this next
• give your secondary school or schools and the dates you attended them, together with:
  • a list of all your A-level (or Scottish Higher) subjects and grades
  • brief details of GCSEs, Scottish Standard Grades, or equivalent qualifications (only give full details of these if the employer has specifically asked for them or the subjects are relevant to the job in question)

4. Any other skills, achievements, or training:

• list any relevant professional qualifications, courses, or training (e.g. IT qualifications, knowledge of a foreign language)
• mention significant awards, other achievements, relevant positions of responsibility, etc.

5. Interests or pastimes:

• a brief overview of your interests or hobbies will help your potential employer to gain an insight into the type of person you are

6. Referees:

• you can either give contact details of two people who'd be willing to give you a reference or say that references are available on request
• if you're providing specific names, you could choose one recent/relevant former employer and one current tutor

Here is an example CV/résumé for a person who's planning to change his career from teaching to social work after his college studies. (see his covering job application letter)

Name: Charles Peter Morton Address: 12 Clover Way Swindon SW2 4MR Telephone: 01876 321114 (home); 0777 967543 (mobile) Email: charlespmorton@amail.com An experienced and confident primary school teacher currently studying for a BA in Social Work and eager to pursue a new career in this field. A first-class communicator and motivator with excellent interpersonal skills looking forward to transferring these abilities to the context of social services work with children and families. Employment history: September 1998-May 2004 Year 1/2 Teacher, Swindon Primary School Duties and responsibilities: teaching national curriculum to Key Stage 1 pupils (4-7years) reaching attainment targets and improving learning performance leading extra-curricular sports programme September 1989-July 1998 Year 1/2 Teacher, Reading Primary School Duties and responsibilities: teaching national curriculum to Key Stage 1 pupils (4-7 years) reaching attainment targets and improving learning performance developing extra-curricular sporting activities August 1988-July 1989 Voluntary work with the NSPCC and The Children's Society Education and qualifications: Current studies: September 2004 to present BA (Hons) in Social Work (graduating in June 2007) Thames University, Swindon Higher Education: September 1985-June 1988 BA (Hons) Primary Teacher Education City University, Bristol Secondary Education: September 1977-June 1985 Reading School 3 A Levels: English (A), History (A), Geography (B) 8 GCSEs Other skills and achievements: Level 1 certificate in football coaching Clean driving licence Interests: Manager, under 11s football team; cinema; jazz References: available on request.