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
Address
Address
Email address
Phone Number
Date of Birth: dd/mm/yyyy
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.
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
