Annika Gielen's Class Desk: December 2012

CV/Resume Notes

Writing a CV/resume in English is very different to writing one in French. It is important to understand the structure and vocabulary used in English CVs/resumes.

Heading

Name: In English, the first name is written first, followed by your last name with only the first letter capitalized.

(ex. John Smith)

Address: This should be written on two lines and include a postal code. In English, only the first letter of a city is capitalized.

(ex. 49100 Angers)

Phone: Include the country code for your phone number so those who need to reach you can do so easily.

(ex. +33 6 12 34 56 78)

Email: you do not need to write the word “email” before the heading, it is clear that this is your email thanks to the @.

(name.lastname@gmail.com) ß make sure that the email address is something professional that has your name in it, not something such as frenchgirl234@gmail.com

Birth Date: this is optional on an English CV/resume, however you may include it if you wish. Make sure that you label this as Date of Birth on the CV and use the English date format of Day/Month/Year. (ex. 3/12/1990)

Nationality: this is also not necessary to include, but if you would like to make sure that you have labeled it correctly.

Objective

This part of the CV is important to give your future employer a quick definition of yourself and why you should be hired. This is a short headline that is a description of how you fit into the job opportunity.

(When using numbers here make sure that any number under ten is written out in word form.)

Work Experience

This is the most important part of your CV, so make sure that you are thorough in your descriptions.

1. Make sure you put the date of your work experience either in a separate column or in bold so that it is easy to identify. Use at minimum the years that you worked (ex. 2005-2007) but if you know the precise months include those as well (ex. June 2005 – September 2007). If you are still currently working at this job write the date you started followed by present (ex. June 2005 – present).

2. Write the name of the company that you worked for in another style such as bold or italics followed the location (city, country) where the company was located in regular font.

3. Write the title that you held during the job and whether it was full time, part time, or an internship (stage en français). (ex. Assistant Manager, Full Time)

4. Then you should give a brief description of what the company does and your role within the company. This could include any major achievements made during your experience (ex. Raised inventory productivity).

5. Work experience should be listed from most recent to least recent. There should be no large gaps in your experience unless it is accounted for by school. You do not need to include seasonal jobs that do not relate to the opportunity that you are applying for.

6. DO NOT include specifics of how many hours you worked a week or how much money you earned, these can be discussed in an interview later if needed.

7. Avoid using the word “I” in the CV; instead write your information without the subject (ex. Oversaw construction site personnel).

8. Here are some helpful "action verbs" (for example: achieved, arranged, assisted, co-ordinated, completed, dealt with, developed, established, expanded, handled, helped, implemented, improved, increased, interviewed, introduced, maintained, managed, negotiated, organised, planned, processed, programmed, proposed, promoted, purchased, redesigned, reduced, reorganised, revised, sold, solved, streamlined, supervised, trained, translated, worked, wrote).

Education Experience

Education is important to getting a job in the future and it is important that you list the equivalences correctly of the French system to an English system.

1. Make sure you put the date of your education experience either in a separate column or in bold so that it is easy to identify. Use at minimum the years that you were in school (ex. 2005-2007) but if you know the precise months include those as well (ex. June 2005 – September 2007). If you are still currently attending, write the date you started followed by present (ex. June 2005 – present).

2. Write the Name of the School in English in another style such as bold or italics. (ex. University of Angers or Charles de Gaulle High School (US) David d’Angers Secondary School (UK)).

3. For university, write the equivalent in English only if possible, however you may write the French title and then translate it to English in parentheses. (ex. L3 Anglais (equivalent Bachelor’s of English)).

4. Next for lycée, write what you obtained in the French system in French followed by the English or American equivalent in parentheses. (ex. Baccalauréat (High School Diploma), specialty, with honors) or for UK (ex. Baccalauréat (A levels in (state the subjects), with honors).

5. Write about any other training that you received through educational courses with descriptions and dates.

6. Underneath every school write any special mentions you received or activities that you did that might be applicable to the job.

7. Do not include grades because they are often not the same as the systems in Anglophone countries. You can write that you were at the top of your class or had a high standing if that is the case.

8. Do not write about any schools attended before the age of 15.

Languages

1. Include all languages that you speak and their level including any diplomas that you have received for language.

(ex. French (native language); English (fluent) TOEIC 789; Spanish (conversational); Italian (beginner)).

2. If you have different levels orally and in written form be sure to specify those as well.

Programs/Skills

1. Write about any skills in computer or other programs that you have that are useful to the job you are applying for.

(ex. Proficient in Microsoft Office, HTML, CSS and Content Management Systems).

2. Do not list surfing the internet or email as a skill. You can include a driver’s license if that will be important for your job.

Interests/Activities

1. If you have room you may include any interests that you have that are interesting. Do not put anything here that you would not want to discuss during an interview.

2. This could include sports or trips that you have taken.

References

Often times employers will ask you to provide references from other jobs, you may decide to list references in this format:

Name, Title, Company, Location, Phone, Email address

Or simply write that References are available upon request.

Important Tips for Writing a CV

· Keep a simple format; use the same font throughout the CV to keep it clean.

· To emphasize important words or headings, use Bold, italics, underlines, or CAPITALS.

· A CV should fit neatly onto one page and have an easy to read font and size. Use simple fonts like Times New Roman or Calibri in sizes 12 at the largest to 8 at the smallest.

· Always list things in chronological order from most recent to least recent.

· List education first if you are applying to a school and work experience first if applying to a job or internship.

· Always type and print your CV in black ink.

· You do not need to attach a photo in the US or the UK.

· Be short, simple and concise in your phrasing.

Words for Interests/Extracurricular activities

Licencié dans un club Member of a club

Pratique en competition At competetion level

Titulaire du BAFA Diploma in organising activities and looking after children

Secourisme First Aid

AFPS First Aid Certificate

Educateur sportif (tennis) I have a certificate which allows me to teach sport to children

Animateur (colonies de vac) Children’s Summer camp organizer

Soutien scolaire Help children in difficulty with their schooling

Scoutisme I am Boy/Girl Scout

Travail saisonnier Seasonal work

First Name Last Name

Address

Email address

Phone Number

Date of Birth: dd/mm/yyyy

Nationality

Career Objective:

Explain why you are looking for a job and what position you hope to find.

Qualifications:

Concrete reasons why you are qualified

Experience:

Dates Name of Company,Location Title

List your main duties

Dates Name of Company,Location Title

List your main duties

Dates Name of Company,Location Title

List your main duties

Education:

University Name (Dates Attended)

Current Status

Major and Program

Mentions

Awards

High School (Dates Attended)

Final Note

Awards

Activites

Languages

Skills/Hobbies

References available upon request.

Bad Example:

Fiona Jenkins

13 Valley Lane

Dundee

DD3 7UH

Tel: (01382) 1234567

hotbabe@mail.com

Personal Details:

Marital Status: Single

Children: None

Health: Very good

Nationality: British

Education:

1993 – 2000 Highgate Primary School, Dundee

2000 – 2005 Balgay High School, Dundee

Achieved 3 Highers and 8 Standard Grades

2005 – Present Tayside College, Dundee

Currently studying to achieve HNC Retail Management

Work History:

Retail Assistant, Kensington Clothing, Dundee 2002 - 2005

Duties: Worked part time in a clothes shop.

Assistant Manager, Streetwise Fashions, Perth 2005 - Present

Duties: Asisting in the running of a busy high street clothes shop.

Hobbies / Interests:

I enjoy watching TV, playing games on my computer and going out with my friends.

Additional Information:

Fluent in French and Spanish

Driving Licence (6 points)

Referrences:

Mrs Stewart Mr Jenkins

Tayside College 13 Valley Lane

Dundee Dundee

DD8 7PL DD3 7UH

Annika Gielen's Class Desk

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Thanks for a great class!

Master's Class 10/12: CVs and Resumes

Masters Class 26/11: Tongue Twisters