The CV Checklist

GENERAL POINTS

No need to write CV or Curriculum Vitae at the top. Be selective i.e. emphasise positives. Only include information that can be fully supported. Keep it short (2 A4 pages). Make it attractive and easy to read (well spaced out with bold headings and bullet points on good quality A4 paper). Correct misspellings, typographical errors and poor grammar. Eliminate abbreviations and jargon. Test your CV before using it.

PERSONAL PROFILE

Provide a positive pen picture. Keep it brief. Emphasise relevant achievements. Highlight important transferable qualities, skills, knowledge. Emphasise only relevant experience.

These are examples -for ideas only. Do not copy. Ensure your personal profile says what is special about you.

An enthusiastic, self motivated individual who always strives to achieve a very high standard in whatever is undertaken. Offers : the ability to motivate others ; proven leadership abilities within team environments ; extensive experience and understanding of the importance of customer service.

A conscientious, punctual and hardworking person capable of working alone or with others in a group. I am licensed to drive Lansing Electric Trucks, Pendulum Cranes and Pedestrian Controlled Flat Bed Trucks and I am seeking a job where I can use my specialised driving skills.

My personal strengths include determination, generosity, consideration for others and the ability to use my initiative. I am able to talk to a variety of people and can explain my ideas clearly. I am honest, trustworthy, have a good sense of humour and try to see things from other people's points of view.

A highly qualified experienced electrical and electronic engineer who is computer literate and able to work on his own initiative. A good team member with multi level communications skills.

A highly committed and successful manager experienced in industrial problem solving, who has produced creative solutions and implemented them in both factory and laboratory environments. An effective communicator who enjoys working with people in teams.

Positive / Action Words to Use

Consider the following words when preparing your CV or completing yourapplication. They will help you to make a positive favourable impression on the potentiel employer.
Achieved Administered Analysed Built Capable Competent Communicated Consistent Controlled Co-ordinated Created Designed Developed Directed Economical Efficient Engineered Established Expanded Experienced Guided Implemented Improved Initiated Led Managed Monitored Organised Participated Positive Processed Productive Proficient Profitable Qualified Repaired Resourceful Sold Specialised Stable Successful Supervised Trained Versatile Wide Background

Expending your list of Personal Skills

Advising individuals Arranging social events Calculating numerical data Checking for accuracy Classifying records Coaching individuals Compiling figures Constructing buildings Co-ordinating events Correspondence with customers Counselling people Delegating responsibility Dispensing information Drafting reports Editing documents Handling customers'complaints Inspecting Interpreting data Interviewing people Maintaining records Mediating between people Operating equipment Organising people and work Persuading others Planning agendas Preparing charts or diagrams Programming microcomputers Promoting events Protecting property Raising funds Recording data Repairing mechanical equipment Reviewing Running meetings Selling products Serving the public Setting up demonstrations Speaking in public Supervising staff Teaching Managing staff Motivating others

EDUCATION

Give priority to the most job-relevant qualifications List successes only Provide details of job-relevant training courses Supply dates and locations of courses/awards

EDUCATION EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND ACADEMIC RECORD

Do not try to find a French equivalent for diplomas, they probably do not exist. Give the French name and a brief explanation. Length : a two-year degree. Level and nature : a two-year technical degree / a postgraduate degree. Specialization : a two-year degree in mathematics.

Do not translate the names of schools and universities : Ecole Suprieure de Commerce de Toulouse : a Graduate School of Management / A three year course leading to a Master in Management. Baccalaurat : French secondary school diploma. GB A levels Baccalaurat C (Maths and Physics). Baccalaurat E (Maths and Technology). Baccalaurat S (Specialization).

Agrgation = graduate degree based on nationwide competitive exam. Gives access to teaching positions in secondary and university systems. BTS = two-year teclinical degree in office technology, international trade accounting... CAPES = degree awarded after successfully completing a nationwide competitive exam. Gives access to teaching positions in secondary schools. Classes prparatoires = intensive undergraduate studies in physics and maths, in liberal arts, economics to prepare competitive exams for admission to French Grandes Ecoles. Concours = nationwide competitive examination for admission to French

engineering schools, national French Business schools... DEA = one-year degree required before doctoral studies, equivalent to M.S./ M.Sc., M.A. DESS = one-year postgraduate degree in computer science, accounting... DEUG = two-year university degree in mathematics, psychology... DEUST = two-year university program leading to degree in biology, computer programming... Diplme d'ingnieur = degree in electrical, mechanical... engineering, equivalent to M.S./M.Sc. Docteur-ingnieur = Ph.D. in nuclear, control, electrical... engineering. Doctorat = equivalent to Ph.D. Doctorat s sciences = doctorate in science. DUT= two-year university degree in technology, major accounting, chemistry, nuclear technology... ENSI = national school of engineering. IEP = institute of political science IUT = university institute of technology Licence = three-year university degree in history, economics, political, science, equivalent to B.A., B.S/B.Sc. Magistre/mastre = five-year university program in law, economics, earth science, equivalent to M.S/M.Sc. Attention ne pas introduire la confusion : l'enseignement suprieur franais a ses mastres spcialiss(M.S.) que l'on pourrait confondre avec les masters anglais ou amricains (abrviations semblables). Soyez clair. Matrise = equivalent to M.S./M.Sc., M.A. in chemistry, psychology, linguistics... MIAGE = equivalent Io M.S./M.Sc. in computer science applied to management. MST = four-year University degree in science and technology, equivalent Io M.S./M.Sc.

LANGUAGES
Indicate your level not read, written & spoken- and back it up if possible with exam results, stays in the country.

Fluent. Good working knowledge. Reasonable working knowledge. Basic. Speak fluent German. Conversational competence in Italian. Reading knowledge of Spanish. Fluency in English gained from living in New Zeland for one year. Scored 750 on TOEIC test in May 199. Passed the Cambridge Advanced Examination in June 199. Took two one-month intensive language courses in US. You may also refer to cultural awareness if you stayed for some time.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Start with latest job and work backwards Include part time, voluntary and self employed work Give job title, company and location with dates (years only) List main duties and key skills Keep it brief Account for all years (avoid gaps in work history) Put greater emphasis on the most relevant work experience Where employment history is lengthy summarise early year experience (e.g. 1978-85 variety ofjobs involving ...)

WORK EXPERIENCE PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND (See vocabulary list) RECORD OF EMPLOYMENT INTERNSHIPS / PLACEMENTS General vocabulary :

Full-time employment. Part-time employment. Temporary employment. Summer job / vacation work. Voluntary work. Community activities. Training period/session. Training period required by the school (stage obligatoire). Internship (US).

These are important as they are what make YOU different from the other students in your department. What you must include : employers name, location, dates of employment, nature of business, position held in what department, description of function, tasks performed, responsibilities held, achievements. NB. When describing what you did, use active verbs. Eg investigated the market for Conducted feasibility studies for

Advised on computer systems for Designed and set up a system for Prepared and presented a report on Referring to holiday jobs : Eg production line work. Retail sales assistant for a month. Instructor in outdoor activities. Or grouped Part-time jobs at service stations, grocery stores. Vacation work including sales assistant, laboratory technician, ski instructor.

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Personal,details/Interests
NB :Extremely important in all English/American CVs.

Include social activities (e.g. team sports) as well as individual pastimes (e.g. gardening, writing) Date of birth (optional) Marital status (optional) Driving licence details (optional) Health (optional) References (no need to indicate referees but state they are available on request)

Activity + your particular interest :

Tennis, ranked player in regional association. Photography, develop my own pictures. Music, sing in parish choir.

Activity for local community :

Tutor children in maths at local community centre. Take part in organization of village festival.

Activities for the ESC community :

Elected student representative on the Department Council. Participated in the organization of the Forum, a one-day event bringing together local firms and students. Rugby, play in the ESC team.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Driving licence (GB). Driving licence (US). Willing to relocate, location indifferent. Date of availability.