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Good and Bad CVs

The document provides guidance on improving a curriculum vitae (CV) by highlighting examples of bad sections and providing recommendations to make them better. Key points include structuring sections clearly, using concise bullet points, focusing on relevant experience and qualifications, and avoiding unnecessary personal details.

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rahulkumaryadav
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511 views5 pages

Good and Bad CVs

The document provides guidance on improving a curriculum vitae (CV) by highlighting examples of bad sections and providing recommendations to make them better. Key points include structuring sections clearly, using concise bullet points, focusing on relevant experience and qualifications, and avoiding unnecessary personal details.

Uploaded by

rahulkumaryadav
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Curriculum Vitae

Address: 66 Hendford Hill, MOULDSWORTH, WA6 8DE, United Kingdom


Tel: 07900257283
Email: [email protected]
DoB: 27 February 1985
Nationality: British
Gender: Male
Marital-status: Single
Notes:

Heading: Full name in large, bold letters and centred on the page (not Curriculum Vitae
or CV as it can be derived from the document itself that it is a CV);
Email: Should be professional (e.g. first and last name);
No need for Address, Tel, or Email prefixes (unless it improves
presentation);
Address: Should not take up a lot of space, needs to be better presented;
Nationality, date of birth, gender and marital status are optional information which are
best left out unless there is a specific benefit to their inclusion.
Good example:
David Gibbons
57 Outlands Road, Dingley, LE16 9SJ
Mob: 079 3316 8158
Email: [email protected]

Personal Profile Statement


Bad example:
I am a hard-working individual who enjoys working. I am excellent at meeting deadlines.
I have two years of experience in business and I would like to contribute to a business
with my excellent skills and past work experience.
Notes:

Avoid vague statements that are not specific enough to carry any weight or meaning;
The Personal Profile needs to be punchy and should outline your personal characteristics
as it related to the role youre seeking or applying for;
All sections of a CV, excluding the personal details, should be appropriately labeled.
Good example:
Personal Profile Statement
A motivated, adaptable and responsible Computing graduate seeking a position in an IT
position which will utilise the professional and technical skills developed through past

work experiences in this field. I have a methodical, customer-focused approach to work


and a strong drive to see things through to completion.

Education and qualifications


Bad example:
1991 1992 Collingham Gardens Nursery
1992 1996 Stamford Primary School
1996 2002 Hall Green Secondary School
2002 2004 A-Levels Sandwell Sixth Form College

English: A*
Mathematics: C
Biology: B
Geography: A
Business: C
October 2004 June 2007 UCB, Birmingham BSc Psychology
Notes:

The entries of this section need to be on chronological order (i.e. most recent first);
Omit irrelevant and outdated education;
State grade/qualification achieved;
Expand on important education (e.g. degree) and list some of the relevant modules;
Dont forget: maintain the same structure and format throughout your CV!
Good example:
Education and Training
2009 2013
BSc Computer Science (Hons)

Aston University

1st Class Degree with Professional Placement


Relevant Modules:

Professional and Social Aspects of Computing (73%)


Data Modelling and Database Systems (59%)
Understanding Information Systems (93%)
Information Security (67%)
Human-Computer Interaction (80%)
2007 2009

BTEC National Diploma in IT

Grade Achieved: Triple Distinction*


2000 2007

Bournville Secondary School

Hall Green College

8 GCSEs at grades A*C.

Employment and Work History


Bad example:
2011 Present
2008 2011
2006 2008
2005 Cleaner
2003 2005
2002 Packer
2000 2001

IT Support Assistant ABC Electronics Ltd.


IT Admin Dana Corporation
IT Assistant M&M Electric Vehicles Ltd.
K Lacey Ltd.
Housekeeper Plaza Hotel
Packaging Products Ltd.
Cleaner TB Group Inc.

Notes:

For each entry the following is required: name of the company worked in, start and end
dates (month/year format), job title and main tasks performed;
Omit irrelevant or otherwise insignificant work experience;
Do not use many jargon or technical terms many readers will not understand;
The presentation of the information (i.e. layout) is equally important as the content!!
Good example:
Employment history
Jun 2008 Present

IT Support Officer

Ladypool Warehouse Ltd.

Provided extensive IT support to internal and external stakeholders;


Installed and configured computer hardware operating systems and applications;
Monitored and maintained computer systems and networks;
Resolved, diagnosed and solved network problems and relevant software faults.
Jan 1999 Sept 2003

Maplins

Mentoring and training new IT staff;


Researching, installing and configuring new computer systems;
Ensuring that all relevant licensing laws are adhered to;
Keeping up to date with the latest technologies.
Oct 2003 Jun 2008

IT Manager

IT Admin

West London Council

Produced Requirements Documentation (diagrams and workflow);


Maintained the computer network and information systems.
1996 1999

Various jobs

Retail (sectors)

Hobbies and interests


Bad example:
I enjoy skiing, hiking, playing football, bird-watching and going to Church on Sundays.
Notes:

Do not mention any irrelevant hobbies on your CV that do not add additional value to
your application;
Do not disclose political or religious affiliations;
Avoid listing too many hobbies; when will you have time to focus on the job?
Good example (when applying for a Business Analyst job):
Hobbies and Interests
I enjoy reading non-fiction books, solving puzzles and socialising with friends and
family.

References
Bad example:
Mr Evan
Tesco
Birmingham, West Midlands, B55 1KE, United Kingdom, Europe, World, Universe.
Tel: 078 4320 3833
E-mail: [email protected]
Notes:

The referees name needs to be mentioned in full;


Include the position that the referee holds in the company;
Do not disclose anyones private contact details on your CV except with permission.
Good example:
Mrs Saima Khan
Sales Manager
Flash Electronics Ltd.
Address: 24 St Denys Road, Postling, CT21 3QF
Tel: 0109 228 2091
Email: [email protected]

Spot the difference: Good CV vs. Bad CV


Now that weve gone through all the sections of a CV we can now visually compare the
two drastically different versions that we have reviewed:

Example of a bad CV:

Example of a good CV:

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