This document provides tips and examples for creating a CV or resume. It discusses including interests that relate to the job, using references with permission, highlighting key words from the job description, and using positive action words. Optional sections like a personal profile or career objective are described as possibly increasing chances of an interview if specific and substantiated. Formatting tips in Microsoft Word include using tables, adjusting margins, bolding text, and cutting, copying, and pasting.

1. 9
Interests
Relate your interests to the job you‟re applying for just as you do for your education
and work experience. You have to pass the „So what?‟ test
Example 1: Chronological CV Relate your interests to the skills
required in the job you‟re going for
INTERESTS AND ACTIVITIES
Publicity Officer Oxfam: Arranged a publicity campaign. Gained experience in
delegation, proofreading text, desktop publishing, and working
under pressure to meet deadlines.
Treasurer Karate: Kept accounts for a committee of eight. Helped organise
a campaign to extend membership of club, which resulted in 50
new members.
Vice Captain University Football Team: Organised venues and fixtures for
three teams as well as playing in the First XI.
Example 2: Skills – Based CV Brief outline of activities – Make sure
you refer to them in the Skills Profile!
Interests / Achievements
 Music: guitarist in my own band which performs gigs in and around the London area
 Travel: Backpacking in Asia and North America
 Sport: University Hockey team player
References
Either: Include a professional referee (a current employer or one from your recent
past) and an academic referee (a tutor from your course, e.g. your personal tutor)
Or: Write – References available upon request
 Make sure you ask your referee‟s permission to use them as your referee and
tell them what sort of work you‟re applying for
 Include all contact details
Example
References
Academic Professional
Dr C H Glove Mr G Speed
Personal Tutor Market Research Division
School of History J. Sainsbury plc
University of Exeter Stamford Street
0123 765 4835 London SE1 9LL
drchg@exe.com 01238 456 7890

2. 10
Key Words
Before writing your CV highlight the key words included in the job description / personal
specification for the vacancy (and similar vacancies). Include these words as you write your
CV and when you‟ve finished check to see if there all there.
Positive Action Words
 Avoid negative comments such as: „I feel I can‟ / „I think I can‟
 Use positive words:
Ability; achieved; analysed; administered; conceived; determined; enthusiasm; enhanced;
formed; guided; guaranteed; implemented; instigated; introduced; ingenuity; initiative;
judgement; lasting; launched; maintained; managed; merit; negotiated; organised;
performed; progress; planned; presented; promoted; redesigned; responsible; stability;
stimulated; surpassed; thorough
(For more positive words see Careers Booklet: „Action Words‟)
Optional Sections
Personal Profile / Career Objective
CVs are increasingly prefaced with a personal profile and / or a career objective, usually
placed just below the personal details. The jury‟s out at present as to whether employers
look favourably on them. On the one hand they may be viewed as a good way of
summarising a candidate‟s abilities and experience, whilst on the other hand they are often
seen as a verbose, self-indulgent re-hash of what should be written in a covering letter.
Ask yourself if the profile is absolutely necessary (i.e. whether or not it will actually increase
your chances of securing an interview).
If you do decide to include a profile and / or career objective then make them specific,
substantiated claims, frame it in the third person (don‟t refer to yourself as „I‟ or „my‟), and
use positive „action‟ words.
Include personal qualities, experience, skills, and personal strengths
Some Examples
Career Profile
Science graduate with experience in health service management studying
management information systems, seeking to combine work and academic
experience in management consultancy in the health care industry
A Computer Science graduate with a keen interest in practical applications and
information systems, seeking a career where a background in problem-solving
would be an advantage

3. 11
Other Achievements and Additional Skills
Example
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS & ADDITIONAL SKILLS:
I.T: Regular user of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Maple 6 (mathematics software) and am
familiar with research on the Internet and using E-mail.
Brownie Leader: I am an active leader for the Brownies which involves taking girls on pack holidays
and day trips, helping to prepare badge work and developing evening meeting programmes and
developing. Improves stamina, imagination and patience.
Full clean driving licence held for four years.
Hints for Using Microsoft Word (Press Help within word for more guidance)
Tables
One way to align personal details and references is by using a table and colouring the lines white
so they‟re invisible.
 To draw a table press „Table‟ on the top bar, then press „Insert‟ / „table‟ and follow directions
 To change colour line
 Press „Table‟
 Press „Draw Table‟
 On the toolbar which appears press the border colour button and change the colour to white
 Press the pencil button
 Go over the black lines with your pencil and turn the lines white
Example: Steve Davies
Table with
07936 414445
his8imp@seeds.com
black lines
Home Address: 26 High street Term address: 23 Ches Avenue
Fulham (From October 10) London
London SW3 4HP London LS6 9PL
Tel: 0123 735 6832 Tel: 01234 004 4801
Date of birth: 12 February 1982
Home Address: 26 High street Term address: 23 Ches Avenue
Fulham (From October 10) London
London SW3 4HP London LS6 9PL
Tel: 0123 735 6832 Tel: Table with 01234 004 4801
Date of birth: 12 February 1982 white lines

4. 12
Adjusting Margins
On the top bar press File / Page setup…
Bold Text
Highlight the text to be copied then either:
 On the keyboard press „Control‟ and „B‟ at the same time
 Or: Highlight the text then press „B‟ on Formatting bar at the top of the page
Cut Text
Highlight the text to be copied then either:
 On the keyboard press „Control‟ and „X‟ at the same time
 Or: Press the scissors icon on the standard toolbar
Copy Text
Highlight the text to be copied then either:
 On the keyboard press „Control‟ and „C‟ at the same time
 Or: Press the icon showing two pieces of paper on the standard toolbar
Paste Text
 On the keyboard press „Control‟ and „V‟ at the same time
 Or: Press the clipboard icon on the standard toolbar
Aligning Text