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
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 CV EXAMPLE
Fiona Jenkins
13 Valley Lane
Dundee
DD3 7UH
Tel: (01382) 1234567
hotbabe@mail.com
Marital Status: Single
Children: None
Health: Very good
Nationality: British
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
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.
I enjoy watching TV, playing games on my computer and going out with my friends.
Fluent in French and Spanish
Mrs Stewart Mr Jenkins
Tayside College 13 Valley Lane
Dundee Dundee
DD8 7PL DD3 7UH
Cover Letter Instructions:
Tips to Know When Writing a Cover Letter
Main differences between e-mail and hard copy correspondence:
Format: your signature block (address, etc.) goes below your name in e-mail, while it goes at the top of the page on hard copy.
E-mail requires a subject line logical to the recipient. E-mail subject lines can make or break whether your e-mail is opened and read. Hard copy can have a subject line too, but it's on the letter (after recipient's address block and before "Dear...," and it's seen after the letter is opened.
Signature: Of course you won't have a handwritten signature on e-mail, but don't forget this on hard copy.
· Explain why you are sending a resume.
Don't send a resume without a cover letter.
Don't make the reader guess what you are asking for; be specific: Do you want a summer internship opportunity, or a permanent position at graduation; are you inquiring about future employment possibilities?
Don't send a resume without a cover letter.
Don't make the reader guess what you are asking for; be specific: Do you want a summer internship opportunity, or a permanent position at graduation; are you inquiring about future employment possibilities?
· Tell specifically how you learned about the position or the organization — a flyer posted in your department, a web site, a family friend who works at the organization. It is appropriate to mention the name of someone who suggested that you write.
· Convince the reader to look at your resume.
The cover letter will be seen first.
Therefore, it must be very well written and targeted to that employer.
The cover letter will be seen first.
Therefore, it must be very well written and targeted to that employer.
· Call attention to elements of your background — education, leadership, experience — that are relevant to a position you are seeking. Be as specific as possible, using examples.
· Reflect your attitude, personality, motivation, enthusiasm, and communication skills.
· Provide or refer to any information specifically requested in a job advertisement that might not be covered in your resume, such as availability date, or reference to an attached writing sample.
· Indicate what you will do to follow-up.
- In a letter of application — applying for an advertised opening — applicants often say something like "I look forward to hearing from you." However, if you have further contact info (e.g. phone number) and if the employer hasn't said "no phone calls," it's better to take the initiative to follow-up, saying something like, "I will contact you in the next two weeks to see if you require any additional information regarding my qualifications."
- In a letter of inquiry — asking about the possibility of an opening — don't assume the employer will contact you. You should say something like, "I will contact you in two weeks to learn more about upcoming employment opportunities with (name of organization)." Then mark your calendar to make the call.
(Hard copy: sender address and contact info at top. Your address and the date can be left-justified, or centered.)
Example of a Bad Cover Letter
BAD COVER LETTER
Dear Sir or Madman
I am about to complete my English and American Literature degree at the University of Kent, with a prospective result of a 2:1.
As a literature student, I have a strong love of books of all types and see work in a bookshop as a career area which would be a good starting point for a career in publishing which is my eventual career aim.
I have good experience of retail, having worked as a shelf stacker for Sainsburies. I have studied modules in Shakespeare, War Poets, Dickens and Creative Writing all of which I feel give me valuable knowledge. My interests include reading, playing computer games and stamp collecting and I am currently reading Robbie Williams' thought-provoking autobiography.
I am writing speculatively in the hope that you may consider me for any full-time vacancies that may arise in your store. I'm interested especialy in the retail side of a bookstore: interacting with customers and seeing where the modern tastes for literature lay.
I would be available to work from the beginning of June of this year. I have previous retail experience and believe that this, combined with my knowledge of and interest in books could be rewarding both to your store and to myself.
Yours faithfully
Frank Harrison
Frank Harrison
GOOD COVER LETTER
Full Name
Your Street Address
City, State Zip Code
Telephone Number
E-mail Address
Your Street Address
City, State Zip Code
Telephone Number
E-mail Address
Month, Day, Year
Mr./Ms./Dr. FirstName LastName
Title
Name of Organization
Street or P. O. Box Address
City, State Zip Code
Title
Name of Organization
Street or P. O. Box Address
City, State Zip Code
Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. LastName:
Opening paragraph: State why you are writing; how you learned of the organization or position, and basic information about yourself.
2nd paragraph: Tell why you are interested in the employer or type of work the employer does (Simply stating that you are interested does not tell why, and can sound like a form letter). Demonstrate that you know enough about the employer or position to relate your background to the employer or position. Mention specific qualifications which make you a good fit for the employer’s needs. (Focus on what you can do for the employer, not what the employer can do for you.) This is an opportunity to explain in more detail relevant items in your resume. Refer to the fact that your resume is enclosed. Mention other enclosures if such are required to apply for a position.
3rd paragraph: Indicate that you would like the opportunity to interview for a position or to talk with the employer to learn more about their opportunities or hiring plans. State what you will do to follow up, such as telephone the employer within two weeks. If you will be in the employer’s location and could offer to schedule a visit, indicate when. State that you would be glad to provide the employer with any additional information needed. Thank the employer for her/his consideration.
Sincerely,
(Your handwritten signature [on hard copy])
Your name typed
(In case of e-mail, your full contact info appears below your printed name [instead of at the top, as for hard copy], and of course there is no handwritten signature)
(In case of e-mail, your full contact info appears below your printed name [instead of at the top, as for hard copy], and of course there is no handwritten signature)
Enclosure(s) (refers to resume, etc.)
(Note: the contents of your letter might best be arranged into four paragraphs. Consider what you need to say and use good writing style. See the following examples for variations in organization and layout.)
