The language of CVs

What is a CV?
A CV is a summary of your work life – your qualifications, experience and work skills – which you usually need to write when you are applying for a job. Below are two extracts from BBC World Service materials, in which a recruitment consultant and a student of English give advice about the language you need to use when writing your CV. Before you read, think about a job you would like to have, and the type of experience you would need for the job.

Your CV (curriculum vitae) is very important, and in writing a CV you need to make sure you are putting action points down about your achievements in very positive language. As well as including practical, personal information like your address and details of your qualifications, you need to present your achievements in positive, succinct and active language, targeting your abilities and experience to the particular vacancy you are applying for.
I had lots of problems with writing a CV in English, because a CV has to be very short and brief.You have to give lots of information about yourself and what you can do in a very short space, so you need to choose your language very carefully.Tell them what you have done and what you can do, but in short phrases or sentences.
(Get That Job!)

1. What type of information should be included in your CV?
2. Both speakers say you should keep your CV very short. Find two more words in the passages which mean ‘short’.

Answer

1. Personal details (name, address, etc.);
   details of your education & qualifications;
   details of your achievements (skills which you have developed in your work and major things which you have done)
2. brief; succinct

The keys to writing a CV

If you are applying for a job with an English-speaking company, here are five important things to remember when writing your CV.

1. Keep your CV short.Try to put all of the most important information on two sheets of paper.
2. Use note form, not full sentences.
3. Give each section a heading, e.g. personal details; education & qualifications; work experience; key skills & achievements.
4. When talking about your achievements, use language which shows what you have done. Saying, ‘I have used English in my work’ makes your experience sound up-to-date. Saying, ‘I used English in my work last year’ makes it sound old.
5. When talking about your skills, talk about things which are important to the job. Use positive adjectives to show how good your skills are. For example:
   Key skills
   I can …
   … speak and write English well

CV task

Remember that it is important to target your CV to the job you want.This means that you draw the employer’s attention to the experience and skills which you have which are important for the job which has been advertised.
Think about a job you would like to apply for. What skills and experience are important for the job? What would you include in your CV? Brainstorm the information you would put in each of the sections of your CV (see point 3).