CURRICULUM VITAE

Introduction:
A Curriculum Vitae is a written description that provides an overview of a persons details and
other qualifications. It is the first item that a potential employer looks forward regarding the job
seeker and typically used to screen the applicants.
One of the most frequently heard complaints made by recruiters about entry-level CVs is that
they lack a specific objective. Generally, CVs of fresh graduates like you have unclear, general
objectives or no objective at all. Thus making a first and best impression with the curriculum
vitae is very necessary for every individual. Your CV is the first interface you have with your
employer. Make the most of this opportunity. The employment market is changing all the time
and so have a CV, evolving from one-size-fits all standards to personalized and individualized
standards.
Ask Yourself:
"Do I really need a Curriculum Vitae? What should I write in my CV? These are questions
which worry every college graduate looking for his/her first job. Welcome to the real world! Yes
you really need to make your CV perfect and how you present yourself in that CV will go a long
way towards getting you your first job. It's a myth that CVs are unimportant because they lack
the 'pull' of experience. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Objective:
To give a clear picture of the CV to the students stating the importance of why a job seeker
should carry a CV and how it helps him/her to find a job.

Contents:

Guidelines to prepare a CV
Basic amenities in a CV.
Power Words for a CV

Guidelines to prepare a CV:

Use good quality paper for your CVs.

Never send a badly duplicated photocopy of your CV. If you have to send a photocopy,

ideally use a good copier and executive bond paper.

Always remember to mention your telephone number, email id and an alternate telephone

number.
Restrict your CV to not more than three pages.
Check for spelling errors and grammatical mistakes before you take a final copy of your

CV.
Remember to mention awards or other recognitions earned by you in your college or

elsewhere.
As a fresher, stress more on your education and also mention other additional

qualifications in detail.
Give a brief description about projects and extracurricular activities undertaken by you.
Include sections like languages known, hobbies and interests, extracurricular activities

and your strength in brief.

Make sure the font on the CV is black and do not use color fonts.
Select a simple font with appropriate font size to give clarity and legibility to your CV.

Basic Amenities for a CV:

1.
2.
3.
4.

Write only the truth and do not mention any false or dishonest details.
Keep the number of fonts you use, to a minimum two at the most.
Use a font that is easy to read. Times Roman or Verdana will be fine.
Make sure your name, address, and phone number appear on your CV and all

correspondence, preferably at the top of the page.

5. Print your CV on white paper using a good-quality printer.
6. Don't overcrowd your CV, allow for plenty of white space.
7. Print on one side of the paper only.
8. Do not overuse capitalization, italics, underlines, or other emphasizing features.
9. Perform a spell check on your finished CV.
10. Carefully read every word in your CV. Have a friend or two proof read it for you.
11. Be consistent in your use of punctuation.
12. Do not use unprofessional email ids. (e.g.) smartboy007@gmail.com,
reenacute@yahoo.com.

13. Make sure you mention your strength in the CV and do not mention your weakness.

Grammar corrections to watch for:

Do not switch tenses within your CV.

Capitalize all proper nouns.
When expressing numbers, write out all numbers between one and nine (i.e., one, five,

seven)
Use numerals for all numbers 10 and above (i.e., 10, 25, and 108).
If you begin a sentence with a numeral, spell out that numeral.
(E.g. eleven service awards won during college days).

Make sure your date formats are consistent (i.e.11/22/10 or Nov 22, 2010 or 11.22.10.

Choose one and stick with it.).

Choose your words carefully. Phrase yourself well.

Use action verbs.

Verbs such as "developed", "managed", and "designed", emphasize your accomplishments.
Be on the lookout for easily confused words. Examples:

accept (to receive), except (to exclude)

all right (correct), alright (this is not a word)
affect (to bring about change), effect (result)
personal (private), personnel (staff members)
Role (a character assigned or a function), roll (to revolve).

Power Words:
Employers today want to know concrete things about you and your skills. Most CVs today
are filled with empty generalizations, failing to be distinguished in any way from the crowd
of respondents. By beginning sentences with Action or Power words, you are showing
employers you are capable of tactical strategic thinking and have proven results. Here are
some Power Words to get you started:

 accelerated
administered
conducted
created
developed
eliminated
expedited
implemented
initiated
launched
motivated
organized
planned
proposed
purchased
reorganized
scheduled
streamlined
surpassed
used

accomplished
analyzed
completed
delegated
directed
established
facilitated
improved
inspected
led
operated
participated
prepared
proved
recommended
revamped
simplified
structured
taught
utilized

achieved
approved
controlled
demonstrated
earned
evaluated
found
increased
instructed
lectured
ordered
performed
produced
provided
reduced
reviewed
set up
supervised
trained
won

adapted
conceived
coordinated
designed
effected
expanded
generated
influenced
interpreted
maintained
originated
pinpointed
programmed
proficient in
reinforced
revised
solved
supported
translated

Example:
Exercise:
Mini- Quiz:
1. What are the information that should be present in a CV?
2. What are the titles that come in a CV?

Summary:
At the end of the session, after taking up the exercises, students will have fair knowledge on how
to design their own CVs and what the details are that need to be furnished in the CV.