CURRENTS EXAMPLE AND HOW TO WRITE CV FOR 2023 AND 2024
What is CV?
Curriculum vitae, often known as a CV, is a term that is frequently used in academia to refer to detailed or even comprehensive descriptions of a person’s professional background, educational background, and experience, as well as publications and other details. This has led to the prevalent misperception that short CVs should be termed résumés instead of CVs in American English, however this is not supported by the usage noted in American dictionaries. The University of California, Davis, for instance, observes that “in the United States and Canada, CV and resume are sometimes used interchangeably” when describing the frequent distinction made in North American academia between the use of these terms to refer to documents with different contents and lengths.
Steps in Writing CV
A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is an essential document for job applications, academic positions, internships, and scholarships. A well-structured and professional CV can significantly impact your chances of landing an opportunity. Internationally, CV standards can vary slightly depending on the country or industry, but the overall format remains similar. Below is a comprehensive guide to writing a CV that meets international standards.
1. Personal Information
At the top of your CV, include your basic personal information. For international applications, keep this section concise and professional. Ensure your contact details are accurate, as this is how employers will reach you.
What to Include:
- Full Name: Use your full name, as it appears on your official documents.
- Contact Information: Include your phone number with the correct international dialing code and a professional email address.
- Location: Your city and country of residence. Avoid including your full home address unless required.
- LinkedIn or Personal Website: If relevant, include links to your LinkedIn profile or personal website, especially for creative and tech industries.
- Optional Information: In some countries (e.g., Germany, France), CVs may require a photo, but this is not necessary in countries like the US or UK. Only include details like date of birth, nationality, or gender if it is common in the country you’re applying to or explicitly requested.
Example:
John Doe
London, United Kingdom
+44 1234 567 890 | [email protected]
linkedin.com/in/johndoe
2. Professional Summary (Profile)
The Professional Summary is a brief, impactful statement at the top of your CV that summarizes your professional identity, key skills, experience, and career objectives. It should be concise but tailored to the job you’re applying for.
Key Points:
- Limit to 2-4 sentences.
- Tailor it to the job role by highlighting relevant experience and skills.
- Include any key achievements that will grab the recruiter’s attention.
- Avoid generic statements; make it specific to the role you are seeking.
Example:
Professional Summary
Results-driven marketing professional with over 7 years of experience in managing multi-channel campaigns for global brands. Expertise in digital marketing, content creation, and data-driven decision-making. Proven track record of increasing brand engagement by 40% and driving a 25% sales growth in one year. Seeking to leverage my skills in a dynamic and challenging marketing environment.
3. Work Experience
Your work experience is the most important section of your CV. International standards typically require you to list your experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. For each role, include the job title, company name, location, dates of employment, and a description of your responsibilities and achievements.
Key Points:
- Job Title: Bold or highlight your job title to make it stand out.
- Company Name and Location: Include the city and country where you worked.
- Dates of Employment: Specify the month and year of your employment (e.g., May 2019 – Present).
- Responsibilities and Achievements: Use bullet points to outline your key responsibilities, but focus more on achievements. Quantify your accomplishments using metrics and numbers (e.g., “Increased sales by 20%” or “Managed a budget of $500,000”).
- Action Verbs: Start each bullet point with a strong action verb (e.g., “Led,” “Developed,” “Optimized,” “Implemented”).
Example:
Work Experience
Senior Marketing Manager
XYZ International Ltd., London, United Kingdom
January 2018 – Present
- Led a team of 10 in the execution of global digital marketing campaigns for B2B and B2C clients.
- Spearheaded the launch of a product that generated $1 million in revenue within the first six months.
- Increased website traffic by 50% through targeted SEO strategies and data-driven content marketing.
- Managed a $2 million marketing budget, ensuring a 15% reduction in overall costs while maintaining campaign quality.
4. Education
The Education section highlights your academic qualifications. Like your work experience, list your education in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent degree.
Key Points:
- Degree Title: Mention the full name of the degree (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering).
- Institution Name: Include the university or college name and its location (city and country).
- Graduation Date: List the month and year of graduation. If you are currently studying, write “Expected Graduation” with the relevant date.
- Key Achievements: You can also mention any relevant academic achievements, scholarships, or honors.
- Certifications: If you have completed professional certifications, list them here or under a separate section (more on this below).
Example:
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Harvard Business School, Boston, MA, USA
Graduated: May 2017
- Achieved Distinction in Leadership and Strategic Marketing
- Recipient of the Dean’s Scholarship for Academic Excellence
Bachelor of Science in Economics
University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Graduated: June 2014
- Graduated with First-Class Honors
5. Skills
The Skills section allows you to highlight the core competencies relevant to the job. Group similar skills together to make the section more organized. Avoid listing generic skills that every applicant is likely to have. Instead, focus on technical skills or industry-specific expertise that will set you apart from other candidates.
Categories of Skills:
- Technical Skills: E.g., proficiency in software, programming languages, or analytical tools.
- Soft Skills: E.g., leadership, communication, problem-solving, or teamwork (although these are better demonstrated through your work experience rather than simply listed).
- Languages: For international applications, mention any languages you speak fluently, especially if language skills are relevant to the job.
Example:
Skills
- Project Management (Agile, Scrum)
- Data Analysis (SPSS, Google Analytics, Excel)
- Digital Marketing (SEO, PPC, Social Media Ads, Google Ads)
- Budgeting and Financial Forecasting
- Languages: English (Fluent), French (Intermediate), Spanish (Basic)
6. Certifications and Training
This section is for any certifications, courses, or training programs that you have completed. Include certifications that are recognized internationally, as this will strengthen your qualifications, particularly for technical or specialized roles.
Example:
Certifications
- Google Data Analytics Certification – Google (2023)
- Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) – Project Management Institute (2022)
- Digital Marketing Specialist – HubSpot Academy (2021)
7. Projects and Accomplishments
For roles that involve creativity, problem-solving, or leadership, you can showcase Projects or Accomplishments as a way to highlight your practical experience. Briefly describe major projects you have worked on, your role, and the outcomes.
Key Points:
- Project Title: Include a brief title for the project.
- Your Role: Highlight your role in the project and how you contributed to its success.
- Key Achievements: Provide concrete results or impact of the project (e.g., increased sales, saved costs, improved efficiency).
- Collaboration: Mention if you worked with a team, managed stakeholders, or led the project.
Example:
Projects
Website Redesign for ABC Company
- Led a team of developers and designers to revamp ABC Company’s e-commerce platform.
- Improved the website’s loading time by 30% and increased customer conversion rates by 15% within the first three months of launch.
8. Languages
If you are applying for roles in multinational companies or international organizations, proficiency in multiple languages can be a significant asset. List the languages you speak and indicate your level of fluency.
Example:
Languages
- English: Native
- French: Fluent
- German: Basic
9. Hobbies and Interests
This section is optional but can give employers a glimpse into your personality and personal interests. Include hobbies that demonstrate soft skills like leadership, teamwork, or creativity. However, avoid listing hobbies that might appear irrelevant to the job role or industry.
Example:
Hobbies
- Volunteering with local community groups focused on education and mentorship.
- Reading literature on economics and global finance.
- Playing tennis and participating in local tournaments.
10. References
For international CVs, it is often acceptable to write “References available upon request.” Alternatively, you may list two or three professional referees if the job application specifically requests it. Be sure to include their full name, job title, organization, and contact details.
Example:
References
Available upon request.
Additional Tips for an International Standard CV:
- Formatting and Layout: Use clear section headings and consistent formatting. Stick to a simple, professional font (such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman), and keep the font size between 10 and 12 points.
- Length: Depending on your experience, aim for 1-2 pages. Academic CVs can be longer if they require detailed research, publications, or teaching experience.
- Tailor Your CV: Always tailor your CV to the job you are applying for. Read the job description carefully and align your skills, experience, and accomplishments with the employer’s needs.
- Proofread: Grammatical errors, typos, or formatting mistakes can leave a negative impression. Ensure that your CV is free of errors and ask a friend or mentor to review it.
Examples of CV
Harrison, Somebody
No 16 Redemption close, Behind Road Safety,
Near Noble Noel Academy,
Gwagwalada,
Abuja.
Mobile: +234
Email: [email protected]
PERSONAL DATA
Date of Birth: 2nd June, 1992
Gender/Status: Female/Single
L.G.A Aboh Mbaise
State of Origin: Imo
Nationality: Nigeria
Language Spoken: English & Igbo
Religion: Christianity
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
- B.Sc. B. ED. Guidance and Counselling 2010-2014
Second Class (Hons); Lower Division
Imo State University
SSCE 2003-2009
Senior School Certificate Examination
Heritage Comprehensive Secondary School.
*FSLC 1997 – 2003
First School Leaving Certificate
Clifford Road Primary School Aba, Abia State.
WORKING EXPERIENCE
- National Youth Service Corp 2015-2016
*Teacher/Counsellor
Young Disciples Academy, Akure.
Achiever’s Group of School.
* Presiding Officer
Ondo State Chairmanship and Councillorship Election 2016
Sale Rep Gera farms
2017 – 2021
Farm manager
Akas Farm 2022 – 2023
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE
Certificate of National Service ` 2016
National Youth Service Corps
PROFILE
I possess excellent communication skill and am resourceful in strategic planning/problem solving. I am a dynamic learner, and sociable. I speak English fluently. Very respectful and goal oriented.
CAREER OBJECTIVE
- To work in an organization with a vision for improvement and Growth.
- To place down my utmost skills in taking the organization to Greater height and as well achieve personal Greatness.
- To show ethical behaviour at all times.
PERSONAL SKILLS
- Effective in communication (writing and speaking), leadership, management ability and entrepreneurship.
- Good in computer operation
- Open minded to work in complex environment
- Ability to work effectively under less or no supervision with integrity and honesty.
HOBBIES
Reading professional/intellectual books, relationship/motivational books, socializing and meeting with people
REFEREES:
H.R.H (Dr) Harrison B
Agwa 1 of lagwa Autonomous Community
070000000000
Mr. Jackson B
The Proprietor,
Young Disciplines Academy
Akure.
0800000000
