How to Write an Effective Curriculum Vitae
One of the key documents employers will always request from job seekers is a curriculum vitae. A curriculum vitae is an important tool that markets an individual’s professional competence by briefly and cohesively saying who they are and what they can do.
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A curriculum vitae which is also known as a resume by Americans is a record of personal information, educational background, working experience, and any other useful information that may help one to secure employment, scholarship, or admission to any institution of learning.
Since the curriculum vitae is an important tool, one should carefully plan how to write it in order to bring out individuals’ strengths. A curriculum vitae should be updated regularly, any time an achievement is made such as a promotion, change of marital status, or acquisition of an academic certificate.
A curriculum vitae should be formal, attractive and the title ‘CURRICULUM VITAE’ should be written in capital letters and underlined. When writing a curriculum vitae, one should present themselves in the best way possible, portraying oneself in a negative way does not augur well with potential employers. As long as we are encouraged to be positive in our curriculum vitae it does not mean we lie. A curriculum vitae should be written in grammatically correct sentences and words should be spelt correctly; this makes it easy to read. In the same breath, one should avoid making it long and also write in the simple past tense.
Format of A Curriculum Vitae
A well-written curriculum vitae should have the following basic information:
Title
The words curriculum vitae should be written in capital letters and underlined.
Personal Information/ Bio Data
This is the information concerning yourself. It includes your name, date of birth, gender, marital status, both residential and business address, telephone number, religion, nationality, and email address. Sometimes if one feels that some personal information such as age, gender, nationality, race, and religion can be used to deny them an opportunity one can leave them out.
Career Objective
This captures your professional goal and vision. They are included to give a potential employer an idea of who you are.
Educational Background /Qualification
This indicates the academic qualification you hold, dates, and institution from which you obtained them. The latest qualification is written first, up to the last in descending order. The examination taken and the grade attained should be included.
Professional Qualification
These are career-related qualifications that one achieves in addition to academic qualifications. Just like in education qualifications, they are recorded starting with the latest, which is in descending order.
Work Experience
This is the experience gained in one’s career. Including the recent post, responsibilities, and voluntary work undertaken outside the workstation. It includes the places you have worked and the position starting with the latest to the earliest.
Skills (If any)
These include the practical abilities one has such as playing the guitar or speaking a foreign language.
Interests or Hobbies
These are personal interests that one engages in as a pastime. They include sports, music writing, or community activity.
Referees
These are people of authority, well known to us who can give information about your character and ability either at school or the workplace. They include your boss, pastor, and local chief.
Note that the referees should not be related to you in any way.
Other Significant Information May Come Under:
Affiliations (if any)
These are organizations or groups that you are a member of or have been involved with like the Red Cross, Scouts Club, and Presidential Award Club.
Publication (If any)
It refers to works or published materials that a person has authored, they should be relevant to the work applied for. They include newspaper articles, books, journals, etc.
Characteristics of a Good Curriculum Vitae
A good curriculum vitae should have the following key features:
It should be well organized.
It should be short or brief, not more than two pages.
It should present one positively and accurately.
It should be attractive, free from error, and easy to read.
Sample
CURRICULUM VITAE
Personal Details/Bio Data
Name: Benjamin Madiba
Date of Birth: 12th November 1988
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Married
Nationality: Kenyan
Address: P.O. Box 272- 4567 Kagiso
Business Address: P.O. Box 57-8988 Mwewa
Mobile Number: 0411227788
Email Address: ethancarl@hotmail.com
Objective
To work diligently, effectively, and meticulously for the community's social and economic empowerment with the pursuit of excellence in service delivery.
Profile
An outgoing articulate and experienced graduate teacher, teaching English and Literature and with the ability to deal with students with special needs.
Educational Background
Professional Qualification
Work Experience
2017 to date: Teacher of English at St. Francis High School
Responsibilities: Preparing students for KCSE examination, substitute parent.
2015- 2016: Peer teacher at Suna Girls’
Responsibilities: Assisting the orphaned kids with their academics.
Special Skills
Familiarity with Ms Word, Ms Excel, and Ms Access.
Hobbies
Drama, acting and directing, Playing and training basketball and soccer.
Referees
Prof Adrian Onyango
University of Laikipia
Department of Humanities
P.O. Box 345-100
Ngaruroro
Phone No. 01134332443
Mr. Alex Kimani
Magomano Boys’ High School
P.O. Box 45-7889
Engineer
Phone No. 11008864433
Further Activities
Imagine you are applying for a job. write a curriculum that will accompany your application.
You are applying for the post of Secretary of Coco Bottlers; you have been requested to attach a copy of your Curriculum Vitae. Write the Cv
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