Mgr. Simona Sikorová Znojmo Writing Curriculum vitae

What is a CV? It is a document which contains all your abilities, work experience, education and skills. Its main task is to get you a job interview. The more thoroughly your prepare your CV, the more likely you get an invitation for an interview.

CV basic rules It should be neat and typed if possible It should also be short, usually no more than two sides of A4. It should be positive, stressing achievements and strengths, and make a good impression in a clear and positive way.

The basic format for a CV includes 1. Personal information 2. Career history 3. Education 4. Skills

Ad 1) Personal information Personal details - name, address, phone number, including, address and possibly any professional social media presence. You no longer need to include your date of birth, owing to age discrimination rules ( Laws on discrimination mean that you don’t need to put your age or date of birth on your CV (Great Britain) ) Name: Bernadette Green Date of Birth: 26th November 1975 Nationality: British Address: 12 Green Street London NW2 3RG Home Telephone number: Mobile: address:

Ad 2) Career history Full-time paid jobs Part-time jobs Volunteer work Include: month(s)/ year(s) position name of a place responsibility you had/ have __________________________________________ Put your most recent job first and include dates. Employers will be more interested in what you have done recently. Emphasise the skills and experience you have gained across those jobs (for example skills in dealing with customers or communication skills). Mention things you did well in your past jobs which could be relevant to the job you’re applying for

Ad 3) Education Put your most recent school first and include dates. It should include: Usually secondary or post secondary (university, college) It can include seminars, summer schools or night schools Write degrees and dates when you obtained them or expect to obtain. It can include also brief summary of important courses

Ad 4) Skills Computer languages and software Foreign languages indicating fluency (A1-C2) Teaching or tutoring Driving licence _______________________________________________ Note: Match your skills with the needs of your employer, so that you make it clear to the employer that you’re right for the job. You could include positive words such as “competent”, “adaptable”, and “conscientious”.

Accuracy When you finish your CV check if you have: Written full names Written correct dates Corrected spelling and grammar A straightforward font and formatting is required, the spelling must be checked and checked again. Poor spelling is the quickest way of getting a rejection.

Example of a good CV Curriculum Vitae Name: Bernadette Green Date of Birth: 26th November 1975 Nationality: British Address: 12 Green Street London NW2 3RG Home Tel: Mobile Tel:

Continuation 1 Work Experience Sept 99 - Present Best Performance Ltd, Glasgow Marketing Account Handler Responsible for all aspects of account management including marketing and sales support and client relationship development. Other roles include promotion and distribution control. Products include all marketing support service include database management, response handling and storage and distribution. Oct 98 - Sep 99 Brand New Technologies, Glasgow Call Centre Agent Responsibilities: Taking customer calls and order processing using AS400 system, dealing with customer queries, inquiries and complaints, setting up new customer accounts, invoicing Flowers, London Florist Responsibilities included: Design of all floral displays, stock buying and control, implementation of innovative designs for shop displays, window arrangements and outside events, organisation of arrangements for local charity events, co-ordination of exhibitions and promotions.

Continuation 2 Education & Qualifications University of London, London BA(Hons) Languages & Business Administration Main Subjects included: German, French, Accounting, International Relations, Marketing Universität Frankfurt, Germany Exchange Year Glasgow College of Commerce HND in European Trade with Business German Credits include: Marketing, Economics, European Law, Imports and Exports, Logistics Burns High School, Edinburgh Higher Grades include: French (B), English (B), German (B), Biology (B), Modern Studies (C) Burns High School, Edinburgh 6 Standard Grades Additional Information Languages: English - Mother tongue German - Fluent written and spoken French - Fluent written and spoken Computer Knowledge: WinNT - 4 years working knowledge XP Pro - 2 years working knowledge Experienced user of Microsoft office products. Keen user of the internet. -References available on request-

Example of a bad CV Name: Peter Smith Date of Birth: 28/02/1977 Education: kinder garden Primary School High School University of John O'Groats Work Experience: 1998: Worked as a waiter in a restaurant where I served for people who came there to eat. 1997: Worked in a bar serving drinks for people 1990: Worked on a farm with chickens and more animals 2000: Handing out leaflets in the streets to give to people 1996: Worked in fast food company warming up burgers and fries 1999: Worked in a bingo hall calling out the numbers (got promoted to Assistant Manage 1995: Worked in a swimming pool cleaning toilets and changing room Computer skills: Playstation: Expert use in FIFA 2000 Nintendo64: Expert use in Super Mario Brothers Words: Typed CV on it Knowledge of Hotmail and Yahoo Hobbies: Drinking, clubbing and Internet Chat rooms.

Homework Write a CV of your parents or grandparents.

References: kers/writingcvs.html [online] 7.března [online] 7.března 2013