How to write a CV

What is a CV? 

Curriculum vitae, according to Wikipedia, is Latin for “course of life”, often shortened as CV or vitae. It is a written overview of someone’s life’s work. Vitae can be plural or possessive.

In a nutshell, a CV is a document that contains all your life possessions and accomplishments.

That said, there is a good and bad way to write a CV. Below is a good example of a CV showing how items should be arranged and laid out.

When applying for a job in an establishment or company, a CV is always required to show your accomplishments and qualifications for the position you are applying for. A CV speaks for you; it shows employers what they need to know about your qualifications.

Also Read: How to Design a letterhead – 3 Points you should know

When writing a CV, the bellow listed items should be present in your CV.

• Personal details 
• Personal profile statement 
• Achievements 
• Education 
• Employment and work history 
• Qualifications 
• Skills 
• Hobbies and interests 
• References/Referee

How to write a CV -Items in a CV

• Personal details 

This section is located at the top of the CV. This is the first thing any employer or reader will see when reading your CV. In recent time, most CVs have the passport of the owner at the top left-hand side of the CV as can be seen in the image on this post.

Example

Pizzy Ebong

57 foothill college san Jose California, USA

Mob. 09277448093

Email. [email protected]

• Personal profile statement 

This short writeup tells your reader or employer about your skills, qualifications, experiences and career ambitions. 

Bad example of a Personal Profile Statement

I am Pizzy Ebong, and a  hard-working person who likes working. I am very good at meeting deadlines. I have been in this business for two years now and would like to be part of a business that needs my excellent skills and past work experience.

A good example of a Personal Profile Statement

A motivated, passionate, and very adaptable graduate in computer engineering seeking an IT position which will make good use of the professional and technical skills developed through past work experiences in this field. I have a systematic, customer-focused approach to work and a strong drive to see things through to completion. In my current job, I have managed the launch and migration of two major IT systems, completed on time and within budget.

• Achievements 

As the name implies, this section requires a list of all your accomplishments, skills, and achievements that can be used as a testimony of your skills, abilities and determination to succeed. 

Bad example 

• I finished my college studies
• Currently working as an IT support assistant

 Good example

• Implementing major systems with zero downtime and zero data loss
• Named Employee of the Month for three consecutive months 
• Currently a member of a software engineering department at MIT

• Education 

This section contains your educational background, information about your education, and school achievements. Every certificate and legal document concerning your skill should be listed in this section. 

Bad example 

1996 – 2002 Nigerian christian institute

2002 – 2005 oxford school

2005 – 2007 high gardens 

2007 – 2010 kings landing college of technology 

English: A*

Mathematics: C

Biology: B

Geography: A

Business: C

October 2004 – June 2007 UCB, Birmingham BSc Psychology

Good example 

Education and Training

2009 – 2013      BSc Computer Science (Hons)       Aston University

1st Class Degree with Professional Placement

Relevant Modules:

• Professional and Social Aspects of Computing (73%)
• Data Modelling and Database Systems (59%)
• Understanding Information Systems (93%)
• Information Security (67%)
• Human-Computer Interaction (80%)
• 2007 – 2009      BTEC National Diploma in IT      Hall Green College

Grade Achieved: Triple Distinction*

2000 – 2007      Bournville Secondary School

8 GCSEs at grades A*–C.

Recommended: waecdirect.org WAEC Result Checker 2022/2023

• Employment and work history 

This section allows you to state how qualified you are by showing all your previous achievements in the field and places you have worked before. It gives the reader a sense that you are qualified and have good field experience. 

Example

Employment history

Jun 2011– Present  CEO Ibom IT HUB

Mentoring and training new IT staff;

Research, software development, installation and configuring new computer systems;

Ensuring that all relevant licensing laws are adhered to;

Keeping up to date with the latest technologies.

Oct 2001 – Jun 2005     IT Support Officer      SMART innovation HUB

Provided extensive IT support to internal and external stakeholders;

Installed and configured computer hardware operating systems and applications;

Monitored and maintained computer systems and networks;

Resolved, diagnosed and solved network problems and relevant software faults.

Jan 1999 – Sept 2003      IT Admin union HUB Lagos

Produced Requirements Documentation (diagrams and workflow);

Maintained the computer network and information systems.

1996 – 1999      Various jobs      Retail (sectors)

• Qualifications

This part of your CV is optional and should contain a list of all your professional training, skills, courses and qualifications.

Example

• B.Engr Computer Engineering University of Uyo 
• B.SC Computer Science University of Benin
• Masters Degree Computer Engineering University of Abuja.

• Skills

In this section, you are to write down the skills that will enable you to do the job you are applying for. This section helps inform the employer that you have what it takes to do this job.

Example 

• Excellent knowledge of programming languages like Java, Python, C, JavaScript, PHP and SQL.
• Very good troubleshooting skills with software, hardware & network products
• Perfect in detecting networking faults, carrying out diagnostics and troubleshooting, Cisco routers, Cisco switches, routeing and switching configuration and technologies

• Hobbies and Interests 

this section should be used to show your employer that you are well rounded and also good in extracurricular activities not only work-based activities.

Example 

I enjoy reading extra books like novels and magazines to expand my knowledge 

I also love soccer and also good at playing soccer. 

• References 

This is the last and final part of your CV. This section contains contact details of two people who know you very well, whom you have worked with and can vouch for you any time. 

Example 

Mrs Jouyous glory

IT Executive

SMART HUB

Address: 322 ibt junction abuja  CT21 3QF

Tel: 8990 3783790

Email. [email protected]

Conclusion 

Having given out steps to write a CV with an example, I can joyfully say congratulations because now I know that you can effectively write a CV that will land you that job.

Do you have a question regarding the above post on how to write a CV? Kindly use the comment box and we will get back to you.