Life Impact | The University of Adelaide University of Papua New Guinea Careers Session How to write a good CV

University of Papua New Guinea Slide 1 Career Session: How to write a good CV Michael Cornish CVs What is the purpose of a CV? Outline of a CV structure General tips and tricks Component 1: Personal details Component 2: Educational achievement Component 3: Work experience Component 4: Referees

University of Papua New Guinea Slide 2 Career Session: How to write a good CV Michael Cornish What is the purpose of a CV ? To communicate who you are, what your story is …and why you should have the job! NOTE: They will not look at your CV for very long at all, until (or if!) they go to interview you

University of Papua New Guinea Slide 3 Career Session: How to write a good CV Michael Cornish Outline of a CV structure Component 1: Personal details –Optional: Languages spoken, narrative statement, core skills Component 2: Educational achievement –Optional: Courses and certificates Component 3: Work experience –Optional: Student leadership / voluntary positions Component 4: Referees

University of Papua New Guinea Slide 4 Career Session: How to write a good CV Michael Cornish General tips and tricks Easy to read! –Dot points –Good choice of fonts and font sizing –Colour? –Sometimes, bolding can work…

University of Papua New Guinea Slide 5 Career Session: How to write a good CV Michael Cornish Component 1: Personal Details Name (Reliable!) contact details – –Phone –Secondary phone? In my opinion? No mention of religion, age, gender… (Unless it is important?), and no photo!

University of Papua New Guinea Slide 6 Career Session: How to write a good CV Michael Cornish Component 1: Optional extras Narrative statement: –Who are you, what are you trying to achieve in your career –Make sure it matches the job you are applying for!! Reword it where necessary Core skills –Again, change depending on the job you are applying for Languages spoken (if relevant)

University of Papua New Guinea Slide 7 Career Session: How to write a good CV Michael Cornish Component 2: Educational Achievement In reverse chronological order of achievement (i.e. most recent qualification first) Include: –Year graduated –Institution –GPA (if it is good! Otherwise leave it out) Optional: Include certificates and training courses, you might list these separately…

University of Papua New Guinea Slide 8 Career Session: How to write a good CV Michael Cornish Component 3: Work Experience In reverse chronological order (most recent first) Include: –Years (e.g – current) –Organisation –Position –Roles and notable achievements Write it in the passive voice! –Example: “Liaised with stakeholders in the corporate finance sector”

University of Papua New Guinea Slide 9 Career Session: How to write a good CV Michael Cornish Component 3: Optional extras Include: –Voluntary (unpaid) positions –Association memberships –Student leadership positions –Church service –Community organisation work

University of Papua New Guinea Slide 10 Career Session: How to write a good CV Michael Cornish Component 4: Referees Get good referees! –Name –Title / position of referee –Contact details At least two, ideally three Ideally, no more than one character referee