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Curriculum Vitae Tips

CV Writing
CV Resources

 

CV's Getting Started:  Careers NZ Website: Simple guidance from the career experts on building the perfect CV.

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CV Builder Tool

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Online Resume Builder: My Perfect Resume - online builder

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Resume Templates:  Microsoft  Word Office Templates - Search Resume

Curriculum Vitae

 

A Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume is your personal sales tool and should show how your future employer will benefit from hiring you. It has one role and that is to get you an interview.

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Some guidelines to help you write your CV:

Here are a few simple guidelines:

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  • keep it short, up to a maximum of two pages

  • list your best skills first

  • use plain, simple language

  • avoid jargon and abbreviations that might be unfamiliar to employers

  • avoid long sentences and use lots of bullets and key phrases

  • be positive and enthusiastic

  • check your spelling and grammar and get someone else to check it too

  • make it relevant to the job you’re applying for.

What should my CV say?


Here are the main things you need to include:

  • Personal details: Write your full name, address, email address and phone number.

  • Career or personal objective: State your goal and the skills that make you suitable. For example ‘I’m looking for a career, preferably outdoors, where I can develop my skills. I’m hardworking, strong, versatile and in good health.’

  • Work experience: List the jobs you’ve had, including part-time and voluntary work, starting with the most recent. Write the job title, the employer’s name, the date you started and finished, and a brief description of what your duties included.

  • Skills and abilities: List your work-related skills and abilities. Some of these might be skills you learnt outside work. You may like to include unpaid, community or family work and say how these skills might suit the job you’re applying for.

  • Education and training: List your schooling and other training. Give details of technical and trade certificates, and any study or courses you’ve done.

  • Hobbies and interests: Give brief details of your hobbies and interests. You could also include any voluntary work you’ve been involved with.

  • Referees: List two to three people who can talk about how well you’ve worked in the past, but check with them first if it’s alright to put them as referees. They may be former employers or someone from work or your community who can vouch for you. Write their name, company or organisation they work for, position and contact details.

  • A future employer may want to contact your referees to verify what you’ve written in your CV and answer any questions they may have about you.
     

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