CURRICULUM VITAE AND

COVER LETTER WRITING

HANDBOOK
CONCISE GUIDELINES

Elijah
CV & Cover letter writing handbook Concise guidelines by Elijah

CURRICULUM VITAE
WHAT IS A CV?

Curriculum Vitae: an outline of a person's educational and professional history, usually prepared for job
applications (Latin: the course of one's life).

• personal details;
• marketing document: "selling" your skills, abilities, qualifications and experience to employers;
• presenting yourself in the best possible light;
• purpose:
o arouse employer’s interest;
o persuade the employer that you are the best person for the job;
o win an invitation for the interview;

SECTIONS
Major components, or defining characteristics, of a CV:
• Professional/Career/Vocational/Research Objectives
• Education
• Coursework
• Honors/Achievements/Awards/Kudos
• Thesis/Dissertation Abstract
• Research Interests
• Research and/or Laboratory Experience
• Teaching Interests and Experience
• Instrumentation Experience
• Specialized Skills
• Publications/Presentations/Works-in-Progress
• Work Experience
• Professional Associations/Learned/Scientific Societies
• Background
• Community Service
• Cocurricular Activities
• Interests
• Travel
• References/Letters of Recommendation

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CV & Cover letter writing handbook
CV SECTIONS
Sections: brief contents
Heading
− your name, Ms., Mr.
− address; phone numbers; Emails.
Personal Profile
Professional / Career Objectives
− logically and
clearly stated goals
Education and Qualifications
Coursework
Career History
− Dates of employment (Month,
Year)
− Name of the company or
organization you worked for
− Description of the organization (if
necessary)
− Location of the company—City and
state
− Your job title
− Job’s responsibilities and duties
− Your accomplishments, results of
these accomplishments, and
demonstrated skills
Work Experience
Concise guidelines by Elijah
What to include
• Make your name stand out.
• Use capital letters and/or boldface type.
• high impact statements that describe you;
• personal strengths;
• bold, confident and positive;
• Connect your goals to those of the program or position for which
you are applying.
• graduation dates;
• degrees and the dates they were received;
• diplomas;
• certificates;
• names of universities, colleges, professional schools, or other
institutions you have attended;
• your majors and minors along with your grade point average for
each;
• modules;
• your cumulative grade point average for each institution attended
as well as for each degree;
• courses that support and strengthen your professional, career,
vocational, and/or research objectives
• summary of your career history;
• start with the most recent or present job and end with the first;
Accomplishments:
− Saving money
− Decreasing costs
− Increasing profits
− Increasing efficiency
− Lowering unit costs
− Eliminating waste
− Solving emergency situations
− Expanding client base
− Streamlining operations
− Introducing a new product
− Improving employee relations
− Improving working conditions
• all of your work experiences:
− internships, summer jobs, and campus employment;
− brief but detailed descriptions of your responsibilities;
− order of importance.
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CV & Cover letter writing handbook
Experience, Skills*
− Description of skill.
− Specific training in it.
− Years of experience.
− Level of expertise.
− Accomplishments related to it.
Achievements
Honors and Awards
Publications / Presentations /
Works-in-Progress
Interests, hobbies
References/Letters of
Recommendation**
− Full name of your reference (Mr.
or Ms.)
− His/Her position (job title)
− Company (full name)
− Address
− City, State, Zip Code
− Area Code / Phone Number /
Extension
*See: Examples of non-work experience and Personal traits.
**not always recommended; include only if impressive.
Concise guidelines by Elijah
• Find your marketable skills:
− What do you do well?
− What do you enjoy doing?
• relevant to the type of job/responsibility;
• powerful statements and impressive language;
• employers look for key indicators of integrity, enthusiasm, passion,
determination, initiative, creativity, originality, organizational
ability, planning, cost-management, people-skills, technical skill,
diligence, reliability, depending on the job;
• find examples of the relevant required behaviors from your life;
• high impact descriptions of your major achievements;
• refer to facts, figures and timescales;
• evidence that you can do what you say;
• relevant to the job;
• all special recognitions you have received
− study group participation,
− communityand institutional service,
− departmental awards,
− athletic awards and/or lists,
− dean’s awards,
− scholarships,
− fellowships,
− community awards,
− professional awards,
− academic awards, and memberships in academic organizations;
• relevant to the job;
• authored or coauthored publications:
− provide appropriate bibliographic descriptions;
• documentation:
− title of the presentation, name of the organization, location
of the meeting, and date;
• significant classroom presentations;
• relevant to the job;
• list only the names and titles of individuals you have asked to write
recommendations for you;
1. Call your reference people and make sure they will give you a good
recommendation.
2. Send them a copy of your resume to review. It will remind and
update them on your qualifications.
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Do not include!
1. Do not write the words ‘CV’, ‘Resume’, or ‘Curriculum Vitae’ in the heading.
2. Reasons for leaving previous job places.
3. Salary.
4. Age, sex, religion or health.
5. Photos.
6. Marital status.
7. Political affiliations.
8. Personal statistics.

SKILLS: LEVEL OF EXPERTISE

accurate (in) (knowledge of)
adept (in, at) judicious
advanced (knowledge of) keen (sense of,
alert (in) understanding of)
competent master (master of)
concise perception (of)
conversant (in) perceptive
detailed (knowledge of) practical (experience in)
effective (in) proficient (in)
empathy relentless (in pursuit of)
exceptional rudimentary
exemplary sensitive (to)
expert (in, at) skilled (at, in)
extraordinary sophisticated
fluent (in) (understanding of)
functions (well) strong (sense of,
gifted background in)
good (at) successful (in, at)
great uncommon
high (degree of) understanding (of)
intermediate unusual

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CV & Cover letter writing handbook Concise guidelines by Elijah
FORMAT, LAYOUT, AND ORGANIZATION

Font: Times New Roman, Georgia, Arial, Verdana, Calibri, and Cambria, Century Schoolbook, Tahoma.

Font size: 10 – 12; larger sizes for subheadings and headings, boldface, • bullets, ALL CAPS, underlining, italics.

EMAILED CVS

1. Put your covering letter as the body of your email.

2. Use simple text with short paragraphs and plenty of spacing.
3. Use PDF (portable document format).

TIPS ON CV WRITING

1. Be concise: the most relevant and/or impressive details; the most important information; key facts.
2. Be positive - put yourself over confidently and highlight your strong points.
3. Be honest.
4. The more CVs you send out the more interviews you will get.
5. Include a covering letter with your CV.
6. Proofread and check your spelling.
7. Mail to the right person.
8. Photos are not essential, and are not always recommended. No-one relies on a picture.
a. If you are asked to include a photograph of yourself, as certain jobs require, then ensure you go
about this professionally. Have a decent photograph taken by someone who knows what they
are doing.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD CV?

• targeted on the specific job; purpose-written (tailored) for the recipient;

o research the organization and the position carefully;
o personalize the covering letter.
• carefully and clearly laid out: logically ordered, easy to read and not cramped;
• each page should be on a separate sheet of paper;
• not too long; no more than two A4 pages; Academic and technical CVs may be much longer: up to 4 or 5;
• Shorten your line length.
• informative but concise;
• high quality, professional and up-to-date;
• accurate in content, spelling and grammar; Do not use contractions.
• showing that you have:
o right attitude and potential;
o relevant transferable experience;
o reliability, self-motivation, drive and enthusiasm.
• Use high-quality stationery. Do not fold.

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CV & Cover letter writing handbook Concise guidelines by Elijah

SKILLS, PERSONAL QUALITIES

MAJOR SKILL AREAS - SPECIFIC TASKS
Selling Integrating
MANAGEMENT SKILLS Setting up demonstrations Introducing
Teaching Inventing
Administrative Translating Originating
Analyzing performance Writing press releases Performing
Coordinating programs Planning
Delegating responsibility Revitalizing
RESEARCH SKILLS
Evaluating performance
Executing programs Analyzing
CLERICAL SKILLS
Improving techniques Calculating
Increasing sales Clarifying Arranging functions
Monitoring people Compiling statistics Billing
Monitoring tasks Evaluating programs Calculating
Motivating people Indexing Cataloguing and Filing
Organizing people and tasks Organizing programs Compiling information
Planning Organizing data Computer skills
Prioritizing Summarizing Coordinating itinerary
Recruiting and hiring Systematizing Correspondence
Reorganizing Dictation
Restructuring FINANCIAL SKILLS Dispatching
Reviewing Editing reports/letters
Scheduling Appraising Generating information
Supervising Auditing financial records Monitoring
Balancing Organizing office and tasks
Billing (A/P, A/R) Prioritizing
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Bookkeeping Reading materials
Addressing the public Budget management Report writing
Advising people Calculating Scheduling appointments
Arbitrating Computing Systematizing information
Arranging functions Forecasting trends Typing
Coaching Invoicing
Correspondence Payroll
COMPUTER SKILLS
Counseling Projecting future growth
Directing people and tasks Purchasing Creating new software
Editing Raising funds Data Entry
Entertaining people Tax preparation Designing new systems
Fundraising Knowledge of programs:
Handling complaints CREATIVE SKILLS Accounting Programs
Instructing Databases
Lecturing Conceptualizing Languages (C, Java, etc.)
Meeting the public Creating new ideas Spreadsheets
Moderating Creating new products Word Processing
Negotiating Creating new techniques Maintaining computers
Persuading Designing Operating systems
Promoting events Developing Programming
Publicizing products Establishing Repairing systems
Public Relations Founding
Recruiting Illustrating
Running meetings Implementing

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CV & Cover letter writing handbook Concise guidelines by Elijah

MARKETABLE PERSONALITY TRAITS

Persistent
TASK-ORIENTED SKILLS Problem solver
Productive
Accurate
Punctual
Adaptable
Quick learner
Ambitious
Realistic
Analytical
Reliable
Artistic talent
Resourceful
Awareness (i.e., of market trends)
Risk taker
Capable
Self-motivated
Clear-thinker
Sense of humor
Commitment to growth
Sensitive
Competent
Serious
Conscientious
Shrewd
Cooperative
Sincere
Creative
Team player
Dedicated
Through
Dependable
Trustworthy
Eager
Verbal
Efficient
Versatility
Energetic
Visionary
Enterprising
Works well under pressure
Eye for detail
Farsighted
Flexible
PEOPLE-ORIENTED SKILLS
Gets things done right the first time Ability to motivate others
Goal directed Congenial
Good judgment Cooperative
Hard worker Courteous
High achiever Diplomatic
High energy Eloquent
Highly motivated Excellent communication skills
Honest Friendly
Imaginative Generous
Independent Gets along well with others
Industrious Good listener
Innovative Helpful
Leadership ability Leadership qualities
Loves a challenge Optimistic
Loyal Outgoing
Manages time efficiently Patience
Methodical Sense of humor
Meticulous Sensible
Motivated Supportive
Optimistic Sympathetic
Orderly Team worker
Organized Tolerant of others
Perfectionist Understanding

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CV & Cover letter writing handbook Concise guidelines
CV WORDS AND PHRASES EXAMPLES - PERSONAL PROFILE,
CAPABILITIES, ETC.
• results-driven, logical and methodical
approach to achieving tasks and objectives
• determined and decisive; uses initiative to
develop effective solutions to problems
• reliable and dependable - high personal
standards and attention to detail
• methodical and rigorous approach to
achieving tasks and objectives
• entrepreneurial and pro-active - strong
drive and keen business mind
• identifies and develops opportunities;
innovates and makes things happen
• good strategic appreciation and vision; able
to build and implement sophisticated plans
• determined and decisive; uses initiative to
meet and resolve challenges
• strives for quality and applies process and
discipline towards optimising performance
• extremely reliable and dependable -
analytical and questioning, strives for
quality
• methodical approach to planning and
organising - good time-manager
• excellent interpersonal skills - good
communicator, leadership, high integrity
• strong planning, organising and monitoring
abilities - an efficient time-manager
• self-driven and self-reliant - sets aims and
targets and leads by example
• good interpersonal skills - works well with
others, motivates and encourages
• high integrity, diligent and conscientious -
reliable and dependable
• self-aware - always seeking to learn and
grow
• seeks new responsibilities irrespective of
reward and recognition
• emotionally mature and confident - a
calming influence
• detailed and precise; fastidious and
thorough
• decisive and results-driven; creative
problem-solver
• good starter - enthusiastic in finding
openings and opportunities
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by Elijah
• creative and entrepreneurial networker -
effective project coordinator
• reliable and dependable in meeting
objectives - hard-working
• emotionally mature; calming and positive
temperament; tolerant and understanding
• seeks and finds solutions to challenges -
exceptionally positive attitude
• great team-worker - adaptable and flexible
• well-organised; good planner; good time-
manager
• seeks new responsibilities and uses
initiative; self-sufficient
• solid approach to achieving tasks and
objectives; determined and decisive
• excellent interpersonal skills - good
communicator, high integrity
• energetic and physically very fit; quick to
respond to opportunities and problems
• active and dynamic approach to work and
getting things done
• financially astute - conversant with
accounting systems and principles
• tactical, strategic and proactive - anticipates
and takes initiative
• systematic and logical - develops and uses
effective processes
• good listener - caring and compassionate
• critical thinker - strong analytical skills;
accurate and probing
• good researcher - creative and methodical -
probing and resourceful
• facilitative project manager; develops and
enables group buy-in
• persistent and tenacious sales developer;
comfortable with demanding targets
• resilient and and thorough - detached and
unemotional
• completer-finisher; checks and follows up -
immaculate record-keeper
• team-player - loyal and determined
• technically competent/qualified [state
discipline or area, to whatever standard or
level]
• task-oriented - commercially experienced
and aware
CV & Cover letter writing handbook
• excellent inter-personal and
communications skills
• sound planning and organizational
capabilities
• results oriented - focused on productive
and high-yield activities
• tolerant and understanding - especially
good with young children/elderly
people/needy people/disadvantaged
people, etc
• emotionally mature - calming and positive
temperament - compassionate and caring
• sensitive and patient interpersonal and
communication skills
Concise guidelines by Elijah
• high integrity and honesty; ethical and
socially aware
• energetic and positive outlook, which often
inspires others
• calm, reliable and dependable in meeting
objectives - logical and numerate
• seeks and finds good outcomes to
challenges
• adaptable and flexible; well-organised
planner and scheduler
• effective and selective in use of
communications technologies.

EXAMPLES OF NON-WORK EXPERIENCES THAT CAN BE USED AS A BASIS

OF RELEVANT AND IMPRESSIVE EXPERIENCE, INSTEAD OF WORK-
RELATED EXPERIENCES:
voluntary work teaching and helping people theatre and dance

fund-raising caring for people local politics and trade union

grants and funding applications
committee membership of
societies and clubs
activities/responsibilities
creating things - art, writing,
photography, sculpture, etc becoming expert and
accumulating knowledge in
languages anything

organising things - at school, sports and fitness reading

college, university, local
community games and competitions travel

campaigning for a cause organising events and outings thinking and philosophising

collecting things entertaining and performing meditating and religious

pursuits
making things computers and telecoms
overcoming personal difficulties
running a part-time business music and singing

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CV & Cover letter writing handbook Concise guidelines by Elijah
CONSIDER AND SHOW ACHIEVEMENTS AND QUALITIES FROM YOUR LIFE, RELEVANT
TO THE JOB, SUCH AS:
leadership persistence and determination

teamwork compassion and humanity

creativity love and care for others

initiative specific abilities with numbers, language,

communications and ICT (information and
problem-solving comuunications techology - especially computing
and websites), fixing and making things, selling and
self-motication
marketing something, etc.
discipline
emotional intelligence, communications, creativity,
reliability responsibility, determination, integrity, compassion,
problem-solving

IN NON-EMPLOYED SITUATIONS SUCH AS:

school or college projects and responsibilities supervising, teaching, helping young people

part-time jobs charity work

sport hobbies and pastimes

voluntary work outdoor activities

clubs holidays and travel

caring and any other personal interests which illustrate

your strengths, capabilities and passions.
Meanwhile take advantage of every opportunity to learn and gain experience in your chosen field: join discussion
groups, read journals, attend courses, lectures and exhibitions, study the newspapers and news websites business
pages, perhaps work part-time for a school and/or a voluntary organization or group who need your skills. This will
enable you to build useful and relevant experience that will definitely be seen as transferable to employed
situations, and it will also demonstrate to employers that you are enthusiastic and willing to invest your own time
in making a positive contribution to help others and to help yourself.

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CV & Cover letter writing handbook Concise guidelines by Elijah

ACTION WORDS
Designed Selected
Planned
Researched Trained
Devised
Analyzed Taught
Achieved
Discovered Explained
Developed
Recommended Presented
Liaised (spell it right!)
Tested Conducted
Evaluated
Diagnosed Distributed
Supervised
Budgeted Organized
Co-ordinated
Monitored Solved
Managed
Evaluated Represented
Administered
Examined Persuaded
Controlled
Assessed Calculated
Selected
Promoted Completed
Created
Sold Arranged
Instructed
Advised Responsible for
Negotiated

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CV & Cover letter writing handbook Concise guidelines by Elijah
ACTION VERBS—CATEGORIZED BY SKILL AREAS
investigated
CREATIVE monitored MANAGEMENT TECHNICAL COMMUNIC.
operated AND
authored organized assembled addressed
conceived LEADERSHIP built arbitrated
prepared
created processed administered calculated arranged
designed purchased analyzed computed authored
developed recorded assigned designed convinced
devised retrieved attained engineered corresponded
directed reviewed authorized operated developed
enhanced scheduled chaired overhauled directed
established screened consolidated programmed drafted
formulated summarized contracted remodeled edited
illustrated surveyed controlled repaired enlisted
improved systematized coordinated solved formulated
initiated tabulated delegated upgraded influenced
introduced validated developed interpreted
invented verified directed FINANCIAL interviewed
launched evaluated lectured
marketed allocated moderated
HUMAN enacted analyzed
originated established negotiated
planned RESOURCES appraised participated
exceeded audited
prepared advised executed persuaded
produced balanced presented
assessed expanded
proposed budgeted presided
assisted guided
set up calculated promoted
clarified headed
structured computed publicized
coached implemented
wrote forecasted recruited
collaborated improved managed represented
consulted incorporated marketed sold
CLERICAL AND counseled increased planned spoke
RESEARCH diagnosed initiated projected translated
educated instituted
arranged tabulated wrote
employed investigated
automated grouped launched
budgeted guided TEACHING
led SUCCESS
calculated handled maintained advised WORDS
catalogued hired managed clarified
classified integrated accomplished
mediated coached
collected mediated awarded
negotiated communicated
compared monitored corrected
organized encouraged
compiled motivated diverted
oversaw evaluated
completed negotiated eliminated
performed explained
computed recruited expanded
planned guided
critiqued represented generated
prioritized influenced
decreased sponsored identified
produced informed
diagnosed strengthened improved
proposed instructed
dispatched trained masterminded
recommended interpreted
distributed pioneered
reduced lectured
evaluated rectified
repositioned persuaded
examined single-handedly
retained stimulated
executed solved
reviewed trained
generated strengthened
revised
identified surpassed
scheduled
implemented turned around
sorted
inspected was promoted to
strengthened
interpreted was responsible
supervised
interviewed for

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CV & Cover letter writing handbook Concise guidelines by Elijah

THE COVER LETTER

Purpose: to make a favorable impression on the employer and get you an interview.

THINGS A COVER LETTER MUST DO:

1. State What and Why

• show what you can do for the employer, and why he or she should hire you;
• understand what problems employers are looking to solve and/or how your skills will benefit
them;
• show benefits you will bring to the employer; what qualifications and experiences you can bring
to the position; why and how your qualifications can help their specific business or organization;
2. Make a Personal Connection
• each cover letter should be written to a specific company;
• every letter must be unique and depend on your particular circumstances and the job for which
you are applying;
3. Highlight skills
• highlight skills and accomplishments that directly apply to the job at hand;
• customize each cover letter to emphasize those skills that would most interest each employer
you are sending your resume to;
4. Enthusiasm and a Positive Attitude, interest in company
• convey enthusiasm and a positive attitude about the company
• show the employers that you know what their organization is doing; that you understand their
company/organization, and have at least a basic knowledge of their products, services, markets,
and/or employment needs.
• demonstrate true interest in working for them;
5. Request an Interview
• you want the job, you take the action. Tell the employer you will contact him in the near future
to arrange an interview.

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6 COMPONENTS OF AN EFFECTIVE COVER LETTER

1. Your Contact Information

• use a letterhead with your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address;
2. Personalized Salutation
• the cover letter is the fact that it is personalized and sent directly to the person in charge of
hiring;
• if you are uncertain who this is, call the company;
• check and double check the spelling of their name;
3. Introduction: Expanding on Your Career Objective
• state the purpose of your letter: to identify the job you are seeking;
• grab the reader’s attention;
• make a compliment about the company;
4. Highlight Your Background
• highlight skills and accomplishments that are important for the job at hand.
• refer to your resume (so the employer will read it, too).
5. Tell the Employer What You Will Contribute to the Organization
• show how your background can be utilized to benefit the employer;
6. Ask For an Interview
• take the initiative and tell the employer you will call him or her to further discuss the matter.

RULES FOR WRITING AN EFFECTIVE COVER LETTER

1. Always use a good stock of paper—Use the same stock as your resume.
2. Use your letterhead—Not only does this project a professional image, but if your letter is separated from
your resume, the employer will have your contact information.
3. Keep your letter short—No longer than one page.
4. Date the letter.
5. Write to a specific person—Preferably the one in charge of hiring.
6. Direct attention to your resume.

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LAYOUT OF A COVER LETTER

A cover letter should be brief—no longer than one page.

The basic format includes three paragraphs.

1. The first paragraph addresses why you are writing and how you learned about the opportunity.
2. The second paragraph focuses on your special qualifications that make you a suitable candidate for this
specific opportunity.
3. And the third paragraph serves to close your letter and includes a mention of follow- up.

DETAILED LAYOUT

1. Your name and address (unless it already appears on your personal letterhead) and your phone
number(s).
2. The date.
3. The name and address of the person and company to whom you are sending your resume.
4. The salutation (“Dear Mr.” or “Dear Ms.” followed by the person’s last name).
5. An opening paragraph explaining why you are writing (for example, in response to an ad, as a follow-up to
a previous meeting, at the suggestion of a mutual acquaintance) and indicating that you are interested in
whatever job is being offered.
6. One or more paragraphs that tell why you want to work for the company and what qualifications and
experiences you can bring to the position. This is a good place to mention some detail about that
particular company that makes you want to work for them; this shows that you have done some research
before applying.
7. A final paragraph that closes the letter and invites the reviewer to contact you for an interview. This can
be a good place to tell the potential employer which method would be best to use when contacting you.
Be sure to give the correct phone number and a good time to reach you, if that is important. You may
mention here that your references are available upon request.
8. The closing (“Sincerely” or “Yours truly”) followed by your signature in a dark ink, with your name typed
under it.

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