This document provides guidance on preparing an effective curriculum vitae (CV). It emphasizes that a CV must sell the applicant to prospective employers and compete against other applicants. The CV should be professionally presented and clearly demonstrate that the applicant possesses the required skills, experience, behaviors and attitudes that employers are seeking. It advises applicants to emphasize their attributes in strong, relevant terms and notes that modesty is not effective. A CV typically includes more details about academic and professional backgrounds, publications, presentations and affiliations compared to a resume.

1. PRESENTATION ON BETTERPRESENTATION ON BETTER
PREPARATION OF CURRICULUMPREPARATION OF CURRICULUM
VITAEVITAE

2. Curriculum-VitaeCurriculum-Vitae
 Your CV must sell you to aYour CV must sell you to a
prospective employer, and competeprospective employer, and compete
against other applicants who are alsoagainst other applicants who are also
trying to sell themselves.trying to sell themselves.

3. Curriculum-VitaeCurriculum-Vitae
 This means that your curriculumThis means that your curriculum
vitae must be presentedvitae must be presented
professionally, clearly, and in a wayprofessionally, clearly, and in a way
that indicates you are an idealthat indicates you are an ideal
candidate for the job, i.e., youcandidate for the job, i.e., you
possess the right skills, experience,possess the right skills, experience,
behaviour, attitude, morality that thebehaviour, attitude, morality that the
employer is seeking.employer is seeking.

4. Curriculum-VitaeCurriculum-Vitae
 In your CV it's important toIn your CV it's important to
emphasise your attributes in strong,emphasise your attributes in strong,
relevant and expressive terms;relevant and expressive terms;
modesty doesn't work particularlymodesty doesn't work particularly
well on any CV.well on any CV.

5. Curriculum-VitaeCurriculum-Vitae
 The primary differences between aThe primary differences between a
resume and a curriculum vitae (CV)resume and a curriculum vitae (CV)
are the length, what is included andare the length, what is included and
what each is used for.what each is used for.
 A resume is a one or two pageA resume is a one or two page
summary of your skills, experiencesummary of your skills, experience
and education.and education.

6. Curriculum-VitaeCurriculum-Vitae
 A curriculum vitae includes aA curriculum vitae includes a
summary of your educational andsummary of your educational and
academic backgrounds as well asacademic backgrounds as well as
teaching and research experience,teaching and research experience,
publications, presentations, awards,publications, presentations, awards,
honors, affiliations and other details.honors, affiliations and other details.

7. ResumeResume
 A resume is brief and concise.A resume is brief and concise.
 A resume is a one or two pageA resume is a one or two page
“summary” of your skills, experience“summary” of your skills, experience
and education.and education.
 Generally no more longer than aGenerally no more longer than a
page or two.page or two.

8. Bio-DataBio-Data
 Bio-Data concentrates more on theBio-Data concentrates more on the
individual and his attributes likeindividual and his attributes like
height, weight, color, skinheight, weight, color, skin
complexion etc.complexion etc.
 Bio data is mainly termed when youBio data is mainly termed when you
have to submit your document wherehave to submit your document where
information about physique alonginformation about physique along
with education and familywith education and family
background is necessary.background is necessary.

9. Bio-DataBio-Data
 A Bio-data will contain more ofA Bio-data will contain more of
personal information thanpersonal information than
professional.professional.
 This document is usually circulatedThis document is usually circulated
for marriage purpose.for marriage purpose.

10. Components of a good C.V.Components of a good C.V.
 Style – the layout, formatting andStyle – the layout, formatting and
headings you use.headings you use.
 Content – All good stuff about youContent – All good stuff about you
 PositivesPositives
 Points of agreement – Point out howPoints of agreement – Point out how
you meet their requirements.you meet their requirements.

11. CURRICULUM VITAECURRICULUM VITAE
 Summary of one’s life –details ofSummary of one’s life –details of
education, experiences andeducation, experiences and
achievementsachievements
 Personal Details – Name andPersonal Details – Name and
Address, Ph. No, email id.Address, Ph. No, email id.
 Easy to read language, design,Easy to read language, design,
focus on the job, quotes fromfocus on the job, quotes from
peoplepeople
 Look at the job(s) you applyLook at the job(s) you apply
 Use font size 10-12, Arial/TimesUse font size 10-12, Arial/Times
New Roman styleNew Roman style
 Typed in A4 size paperTyped in A4 size paper

12. Importance of CVImportance of CV
 CV will give chance toCV will give chance to
evaluate yourselfevaluate yourself
 CVs are mostly used toCVs are mostly used to
screen candidates forscreen candidates for
interviewinterview
 CVs are the first introducer toCVs are the first introducer to
the interviewer and explainsthe interviewer and explains
your complete backgroundyour complete background

13. Types of CVTypes of CV
Chronological CVChronological CV – Education and– Education and
Training is given importance. The latestTraining is given importance. The latest
qualification comes first – reverse orderqualification comes first – reverse order
Functional / Skill based CVFunctional / Skill based CV- CVs are- CVs are
created with concentrate on skills andcreated with concentrate on skills and
responsibilities or experiences. Usuallyresponsibilities or experiences. Usually
meant for experienced persons.meant for experienced persons.

14. Types of CVTypes of CV
Speculative CVSpeculative CV - sent not based on any- sent not based on any
advertisementadvertisement
- match your skills, experiences,match your skills, experiences,
education with the skills of the jobeducation with the skills of the job
requiresrequires
- Sent to right person if possible bySent to right person if possible by
namename
- Emphasis on achievements andEmphasis on achievements and
results. It should be given inresults. It should be given in
quantifiable terms.quantifiable terms.

15. Order of Contents in CVOrder of Contents in CV
 Name and addressName and address
 Contact DetailsContact Details
 Career ObjectivesCareer Objectives
 Educational QualificationEducational Qualification
 Awards (if you have any)Awards (if you have any)
 Skillsets and personal attributesSkillsets and personal attributes
 Experiences / employment historyExperiences / employment history
 Voluntary work (if you have done any)Voluntary work (if you have done any)
 Extracurricular activities, interests andExtracurricular activities, interests and
hobbieshobbies
 ReferencesReferences

16. Career ObjectivesCareer Objectives
 Your career objective tells theYour career objective tells the
employer what you are really lookingemployer what you are really looking
for in a position.for in a position.
 For team work job: I want to work inFor team work job: I want to work in
a team where we can take on newa team where we can take on new
and exciting challenges.and exciting challenges.

17. Educational QualificationsEducational Qualifications
 Should be written in a reverseShould be written in a reverse
chronological orderchronological order
 With percentage of marks andWith percentage of marks and
name of the Institutionname of the Institution
 Year of passingYear of passing

18. AwardsAwards
 Awards demonstrate yourAwards demonstrate your
achievements to your employerachievements to your employer
 Forget about any awards youForget about any awards you
received prior to 7 yearsreceived prior to 7 years
 Give the award details withGive the award details with
quantifiable termsquantifiable terms

19. SkillsetsSkillsets
 This section tells the employerThis section tells the employer
what skills you have that fit thewhat skills you have that fit the
position they are looking for.position they are looking for.
 Try to describe the skill you haveTry to describe the skill you have
and how you have demonstratedand how you have demonstrated
it.it.
 For eg.,For eg., Key boarding skill –Key boarding skill –
with wpmwith wpm

20. SkillsetsSkillsets
 Communication skillCommunication skill – I have been a– I have been a
member of the debating team at schoolmember of the debating team at school
 Basic Computer SkillsBasic Computer Skills – I regularly– I regularly
use email to communicate with otheruse email to communicate with other
people and the internet to researchpeople and the internet to research
topics of interest.topics of interest.

21. Employment historyEmployment history
 Part time jobs – tuition, data entry, etc.,Part time jobs – tuition, data entry, etc.,
 You may have taken a position during yourYou may have taken a position during your
holidays.holidays.
 State your employer, position held,State your employer, position held,
responsibilities, Duration and Keyresponsibilities, Duration and Key
achievementsachievements
 For eg: Sales Assistant, Rama retails shop,For eg: Sales Assistant, Rama retails shop,
2.6.2005 to till date2.6.2005 to till date

22. Employment historyEmployment history
My role as a part time sales assistant, I amMy role as a part time sales assistant, I am
responsible for assisting customer withresponsible for assisting customer with
their enquiries and processing saletheir enquiries and processing sale
transactions.transactions.
Key achievements: Demonstrated excellentKey achievements: Demonstrated excellent
customer servicecustomer service
Communicated effectively with customers toCommunicated effectively with customers to
ensure that their needs were met.ensure that their needs were met.

23. Voluntary WorkVoluntary Work
 Some activities that you may haveSome activities that you may have
done on a voluntary basisdone on a voluntary basis
 This area will help you to tell anThis area will help you to tell an
employer how you have learnt newemployer how you have learnt new
skills, worked with a team and learntskills, worked with a team and learnt
responsibilities for your assigned work.responsibilities for your assigned work.
 For eg., Volunteered library workFor eg., Volunteered library work
 Organising educational toursOrganising educational tours
 Mobilizing fund for some disaster areasMobilizing fund for some disaster areas
 Community based activitiesCommunity based activities

24. Interests and HobbiesInterests and Hobbies
 In this section you can demonstrateIn this section you can demonstrate
your strengths to an employeryour strengths to an employer
 If you have a limited experiences,If you have a limited experiences,
this is a valuable tool forthis is a valuable tool for
demonstrating your abilities to andemonstrating your abilities to an
employer.employer.
 For eg: Puzzle solvingFor eg: Puzzle solving
 Playing Football / any team gamesPlaying Football / any team games
 Please avoid jokes and irrelevantPlease avoid jokes and irrelevant
hobbies such as sleeping etc.,hobbies such as sleeping etc.,

25. ReferencesReferences
 This is the final part of the C.V.This is the final part of the C.V.
 Include the names, organisationsInclude the names, organisations
and contact numbers of people whoand contact numbers of people who
can act as referees for you.can act as referees for you.
 Give them a call and ask theirGive them a call and ask their
willingness to act as a referee forwillingness to act as a referee for
you.you.

26.  Be brief - a two page resume isBe brief - a two page resume is
idealideal
 Prepare CVs for individualPrepare CVs for individual
companiescompanies
 Customize your resume for yourCustomize your resume for your
job targetjob target
 Use action verbs/ positive words –Use action verbs/ positive words –
it will create strong impact. eg.it will create strong impact. eg.
motivated, monitored, created,motivated, monitored, created,
analyzed, coordinated etc.analyzed, coordinated etc.
DO’s

27. DONT’SDONT’S
1.1. Avoid folding your CVAvoid folding your CV
2.2. Don’t include irrelevant information –Don’t include irrelevant information –
previous Salary, unproofed awards,previous Salary, unproofed awards,
prizes and publications etc.prizes and publications etc.
3.3. Say what you did, not what you thinkSay what you did, not what you think
4.4. Personal information – marital status,Personal information – marital status,
religion, health, native place etc.religion, health, native place etc.
5.5. Avoid unusual font size, stylish letters,Avoid unusual font size, stylish letters,
graphics, underlining and unusualgraphics, underlining and unusual
spacing etc.spacing etc.
6.6. Avoid repeating informationAvoid repeating information
7.7. Avoid personal pronouns (I, my, me)Avoid personal pronouns (I, my, me)
8.8. Don’t outsource, do it yourself.Don’t outsource, do it yourself.

28. CV Writing TipsCV Writing Tips
 Focus on the job you wantFocus on the job you want
 Emphasis on achievement and resultsEmphasis on achievement and results
 Easy to read design and languageEasy to read design and language
 Spelling mistakes are unforgivableSpelling mistakes are unforgivable
 Education or employment firstEducation or employment first
 Quantify every statementQuantify every statement
 Tips from websitesTips from websites
(www.resumebuilder.com and(www.resumebuilder.com and
careeradvicenetwork.co.uk)careeradvicenetwork.co.uk)
 Ask someone to review your CVAsk someone to review your CV

29. Covering LetterCovering Letter
The cover letter reflects yourThe cover letter reflects your
communication skills and to somecommunication skills and to some
extent your personalityextent your personality
1. Name and address - Left side top1. Name and address - Left side top
Date and PlaceDate and Place - Right side top- Right side top
2. Head the Letter2. Head the Letter - Subject and- Subject and
ReferenceReference
3. The middle paragraph – Brief3. The middle paragraph – Brief
description of your education anddescription of your education and
experiencesexperiences
4. Closing4. Closing - The closing in which- The closing in which
you propose step for further action.you propose step for further action.
Don’t end with hit the mark, useDon’t end with hit the mark, use
sentence with gentle and politesentence with gentle and polite

30. Model Covering LetterModel Covering Letter
CoimbatoreCoimbatore
18-11-200518-11-2005
FromFrom
Deepa,MDeepa,M
180,Kamaraj Nagar180,Kamaraj Nagar
Coimbatore – 2Coimbatore – 2
ToTo
The AdvertiserThe Advertiser
PO Box 1116PO Box 1116
Times of India, Delhi.Times of India, Delhi.
Sir,Sir,
Sub: Application for the post of Junior AccountantSub: Application for the post of Junior Accountant
Ref: The Hindu dated 16.11.2005Ref: The Hindu dated 16.11.2005
This is with reference to your above advertisement in theThis is with reference to your above advertisement in the
Wednesday (16.11.2006) edition of The Hindu for the post of JuniorWednesday (16.11.2006) edition of The Hindu for the post of Junior
Accountant for which I would like to submit my application.Accountant for which I would like to submit my application.
As per your requirements, I am a graduate with a CommerceAs per your requirements, I am a graduate with a Commerce
background and with Accountancy as my specialty subject. For the pastbackground and with Accountancy as my specialty subject. For the past
one year, I have been working as assistant to a senior Accountantone year, I have been working as assistant to a senior Accountant
employed a reputed firm and gave gained a fair amount of experience inemployed a reputed firm and gave gained a fair amount of experience in
the above mentioned field.the above mentioned field.
If you consider that my application is worth considering, I can beIf you consider that my application is worth considering, I can be
available for interview at any time to suit your convenience, even at aavailable for interview at any time to suit your convenience, even at a
short notice.short notice.
Thanking You,Thanking You,
YoursYours

31. Model Curriculum VitaeModel Curriculum Vitae
K.Venkatesh
2/14 Marutham nagar, Coimbatore –20
Phone: 0422 - 2405316
e mail: kvenkatesh@rediffmail.com
Job Title : Junior Accountant
Objectives: seeking a suitable and challenging career-oriented job with an
organization where my knowledge and skills could be utilized to the maximum.
Education:
Bachelor of Commerce
(Completed in 2004 at Kovai Kalaimagal College of Arts and Science,
Bharathiar University, Coimbatore)
Diploma in computer Accounting Management (DCAM)
Experience:
Presently working as System Administrator cum Accounts Assistants at Cheran
Group of Companies
- Responsibilities: Maintenance of all Accounts, Handle Central Excise and
Commercial Tax, Rectifying the minor problems in computer both software and
hardware.Maintenance and Trouble Shooting of Systems in Lan Environment
(10 systems with printers).
working in a financial company as Accountant (Part time job),
Attended Advanced Accountancy Training during summer holidays

32. Skill Sets:
Soft Ware Knowledge:
Language: Visual Basic 6.0, H.T.M.L and Basic
DBMS: Fox Pro, MS-Access and Fox base
Operating System: Windows 98,ME,XP and Ms-Dos
Server Based OS: Windows 2000 Server
Packages: Tally 5.4., Ms-Office and WordStar
Languages Known: Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, and English
Soft Skills: Good Communication, Key boarding skill, Commitment to the work
and Adjustable with others.
Achievements:
Received a shield for standing FIRST in overall academics during the second year
UG
Best Cadet Award received in NCC for the year 2002- 2003
Participated in H.A.T Competition conducted by Christ College –Bangalore.
Member of Anti Corruption Movement (Chennai)
Minor Project about “Micro Credit for Rural Women Groups” done in UG Course.
Signature