Lori Meadows
A CV is a document that summarises your experience, achievements, and skills, and is often the first chance you have to make an impression on a potential employer. While there is no 'one way' to write a CV, there are some key elements that are always included. For example, a CV should be no longer than two sides of A4 paper, use a clear font, and have a simple layout. University students may not have extensive work experience, but they can highlight transferable skills gained through their degree, voluntary work, internships, and extracurricular activities. It is important to tailor your CV to the role you are applying for, focusing on the most relevant information and highlighting key achievements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Length | No longer than two sides of A4 paper |
| Font | Black, size 10-12, common type (e.g. Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman) |
| Layout | Simple and clear, with headings, formatting, and spacing |
| Name and Contact Information | Name, address, telephone number, and email address |
| Education | Degrees, thesis titles, supervisor names, awards, funding, etc. |
| Experience | Voluntary work, internships, paid work, etc. |
| Skills | IT skills, languages, music, sports, etc. |
| Achievements | Include key achievements and quantify where possible |
| Personal Statement | Summary of your strengths and attributes |
| Format | Reverse chronological or skills-based, depending on your experience |
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What You'll Learn
- Include your name, address, phone number, and email address
- Structure your CV with simple formatting and clear headings
- Add a personal statement/summary showcasing your skills and achievements
- Include your academic credentials, qualifications, and awards
- List your work experience, internships, and voluntary work
Include your name, address, phone number, and email address
When writing a CV, it's important to include your name, address, phone number, and email address. This information should be placed at the top of your CV so that employers and recruiters can easily locate it.
Name
Include your full name, and if you have a common name, consider adding your middle name or initial to help distinguish yourself. If you typically use a preferred name, it is acceptable to list that instead of your legal name. If you have earned an advanced degree or certification in your field, include its initials after your name.
Address
If you are applying for a job within a commutable distance from your home, include your city, state, and zip code. However, if you are conducting a long-distance job search or are open to relocation, you may choose not to include any address information.
Phone Number
Include your mobile number instead of your work or landline number, as this makes you more accessible to recruiters. Break down your number into smaller, easily readable segments by enclosing the area code in parentheses and inserting a dash after the first three digits. You can also add a label such as "Tel:", "Ph:", or "Phone:" before your number.
Email Address
Use a professional email address that includes your name or specialty, such as "[email protected]" or "[email protected]." Avoid using outdated email providers like AOL or Hotmail, and create a new address if your current one includes jokes, puns, or nicknames that could undermine your credibility.
Remember to keep this section concise and professional, and only include essential contact information that will make it easy for recruiters to reach you.
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Structure your CV with simple formatting and clear headings
When structuring your CV, it is important to keep the formatting simple and the headings clear. This will ensure that your CV is easy to read and that your most important information stands out.
Firstly, you should select a clear and simple layout. Choose a layout that allows you to present your accomplishments concisely, clearly, and consistently. This will ensure that whoever is reading your CV can easily skim it and find the information they need. Make your CV stylistically consistent. For example, if you make one heading in bold and title case, such as "Education", all the other headings should follow the same style. You should also keep the formatting consistent throughout the document, for instance, in terms of indentation, font, text size, and spacing.
It is recommended that you use reverse chronological order when organizing the information in each section, with your most recent information at the top and the oldest at the bottom. This will ensure that your most recent and therefore most relevant achievements are on the first page of your CV.
You should also divide your CV into sections with clear headings. The sections of a traditional CV are typically as follows: Personal Information (including contact details but not date of birth, sex, or marital status), Education, Experience (including voluntary work, internships, and paid work), and Interests or Community Activity and Skills. However, you can alter the headings to suit the application you are making. For example, if you are applying for a teaching job, you could use the heading "Teaching Experience" instead of just "Experience". You can also include a separate Additional Experience section to highlight relevant transferable skills.
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Add a personal statement/summary showcasing your skills and achievements
A CV is a document that summarises your experience, achievements, skills, and knowledge. It is often the first impression you give to a potential employer, so it's important to make it detailed and focused.
A personal statement or summary is a great way to showcase your skills and achievements. This is your chance to give a brief overview of your strengths and attributes, especially those that are relevant to the role you're applying for. Keep it concise—no longer than a few sentences—and expect to back up your statements with evidence in the main body of your CV.
For example, if you're applying for a role that requires leadership skills, you could mention in your personal statement that you have experience leading groups and supporting others. Then, in the body of your CV, you could elaborate on this by describing a time when you took the initiative to coordinate a student-led campaign that received praise from faculty members. This showcases not only your leadership skills but also your creativity and ability to execute projects successfully.
If you're a student with limited work experience, you can still create a strong personal statement by focusing on your transferable skills. For instance, if you're applying for an administrative role, you can highlight your organisational and communication skills, and back this up by mentioning your academic performance, freelance work, and volunteer experience in the main body of your CV.
Remember, the personal statement is your opportunity to showcase your personality and how you can add value to the company. Keep your tone upbeat and let your enthusiasm for the role shine through.
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Include your academic credentials, qualifications, and awards
As a university student, your academic credentials, qualifications, and awards are important to include in your CV. This information showcases your expertise and accomplishments, and it helps potential employers assess whether you're a good fit for the role.
- Positioning: The position of your academic qualifications on your CV depends on their relevance to the job you're applying for. If the job specifically requires a particular degree or qualification, consider placing your education section near the top to catch the reader's attention. On the other hand, if your work experience is more relevant, you can position your academic credentials below your employment history.
- Details to Include:
- Name of Degree: Provide the full name of your degree, followed by its abbreviation in parentheses (e.g., Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)).
- Major: Include your major if it relates to the job you're applying for.
- Educational Institution: Mention the full name of your university, as well as the city and state. You may also include your graduation date or expected graduation date if you're still studying.
- Relevant Modules and Coursework: Add extra details such as relevant modules or coursework that showcase specific skills or knowledge valuable to the role.
- Awards and Honours: Include academic awards, scholarships, grants, or fellowships you've received. These accomplishments enhance your CV and can set you apart from other candidates.
- Grade Point Average (GPA): If you're a recent graduate or have limited work experience, consider including your GPA, especially if it's impressive.
- Vocational Qualifications: For jobs requiring specialised skills, highlight any vocational qualifications, apprentice experience, or industry-specific certifications you've obtained.
Formatting:
- Consistency: Maintain formatting consistency throughout your CV. Use bold section headings, bullet points, and a consistent sentence structure.
- Reverse-Chronological Order: Present your academic credentials in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent qualifications and working backward. This helps employers quickly identify your current level of education.
In-Progress Qualifications: If you're currently pursuing a degree or certification, you can still include it on your CV. Indicate that it's "In Progress" or provide the anticipated completion date. This showcases your commitment to growth and development in your field.
Remember, the goal is to highlight your academic strengths and achievements while keeping the content concise and relevant to the job you're applying for.
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List your work experience, internships, and voluntary work
When writing a CV as a university student, it's important to include your work experience, internships, and voluntary work. This section may be titled "Experience" instead of "Employment" to encompass a broader range of experiences beyond paid work.
Begin with your most recent or current position and work backward, listing your previous jobs, including different roles at the same employer. Include the name of the organization, your job title, and the location and month-year range of the experience. You can also include a brief description of your role and accomplishments to highlight relevant transferable skills.
For example, if you were a student careers intern, you could mention how you incorporated sustainability into that experience and tailored it to specific industries. You can also include any technical knowledge you applied from university to your internship, such as lab-based skills or equipment used if you're interested in scientific work.
If you have no formal work experience, focus on your transferable skills. Include examples from school, volunteering, or personal projects to showcase your teamwork, communication, and time management abilities. For instance, you could mention that you recently coordinated a student-led social media campaign that received praise for its creativity, or that you took on over 200 hours of short-term volunteer office work.
Remember, the goal is to convey your interest in the field and showcase the relevant skills and knowledge that will help you excel in the opportunity you're targeting.
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Frequently asked questions
As a university student, your CV should include your name, address, telephone number, and email address, and research interests. Detail your education history, including degrees, thesis titles, and names of supervisors. Include any awards and funding you have received, as well as research and teaching experience. You may also include relevant professional experience, with a focus on transferable skills.
Use a clear font of 10 to 11 pt with some blank spaces and avoid narrow margins. Divide your CV into sections with headings to make it easily scannable for the reader. The traditional reverse chronological format is recommended for student applications.
Focus on your transferable skills and how your experiences and academic knowledge can be applied to the role or industry you are applying to. Include any extracurricular activities, internships, or volunteering work that demonstrates your abilities and commitment. Regularly update your CV and ask for feedback from mentors or career services to ensure it is well-written and tailored to your desired field.
