CV Writing

CV is the shortened form of 'curriculum vitae', or 'life story' in Latin, but a lengthy CV is unlikely to impress any potential employer. Instead, your CV should capture the best of you in one to two pages. Think of CV writing as presenting an appealing appetizer that will lead to the main course – an interview. Once there, you can give a fuller account of your experience, education and skills. Although there's no single right way to write you CV, you should include:

Personal Details

• Include your name, address, phone numbers (both landline and mobile), email address and date of birth (optional).
• Keep unnecessary information to a minimum.

Objectives

• You may want to include a short paragraph on your recent work experience and future goals. In this, you can outline the kind of position you are seeking and where you see yourself in the longer term future.

Education

• List educational achievements in order, with most recent at the top – these are the most relevant to your current situation.
• Include any degrees, higher education courses, professional training courses or international education. You should list the qualification achieved, the educational institute and your graduation date, along with exam results and specific subjects you have studied.
• As well as university or other tertiary qualifications, you can also include results from your last year of high school if you're a recent graduate, but results from earlier than this are not usually required.

Work History

• Keep it recent and relevant – don't include the paper run you had at age ten.
• List your employer, your job title and what your role entailed.
• Emphasize the skills and achievements at each place of work.
• Part-time work done during times of study or child-raising should be included.

Skills

• Include information on any skills you may have acquired that are not covered in your Work History. This may be through volunteer work or study that you've completed.
• Think of the skills required for the position and match these with examples from your own work or study experience.
• Also include skills with a more general application, such as other languages, computer aptitude and driver's license.

Interests

• Including a section outlining your interests will add a personal dimension to your CV and give the reader an insight into your personality.
• Make sure you mention interests that have led to you taking on a leadership role or extra responsibility, eg. Captain of your cricket team.
• Be sure to include any volunteer work that you do - this will show your employer that you have an interest in your community.

References

• List two or three referees, with details of their position, their place of employment and contact details.
• Remember to request your referees' permission before including them on your CV and let them know the kinds of jobs you are interested in.
• A potential employer should let you know they're contacting your referees. This will also give you a chance to let your referees know they'll be contacted and fill them in on the details of the job for which you're applying.

Once you've compiled a New Zealand CV that's one to two pages long and markets 'you' in a successful way, get someone you trust to look it over and offer some constructive advice. Ask a friend, family member or tutor for their input – they'll be able to let you know how a potential employer will view your CV.

In terms of CV presentation, it's best to have a clean, clear layout. In general:

• Stick to one or two A4 pages – any longer and your reader will lose interest.
• Use bullet points rather than long blocks of text.
• Check spelling and grammar thoroughly.
• Have an easy-to-read layout which is consistent throughout. Headings should be clear and dates aligned to the left for education and work experience.

When applying for a job, ensure that you enclose a cover letter with your CV. This letter should:

• Encourage a potential employer to read your CV.
• Clearly indicate the position for which you're applying.
• Outline the strengths and skills you have which make you ideal for the role.
• Be presented in a standard business letter format.
• State when you're available for an interview.
• Thank the employer for taking the time to consider your application.

Finally, remember to keep a good record of all cover letters, applications and CV's sent. These need not be hard copies; you can save each application on your computer for reference at a later stage. This record should include the names of people you have dealt with during the application or interview process. Finally, remember to get your CV out there and let the world know you're on the job market!

Looking for more information? Find advice on New Zealand CV writing in the NZS.com directory.

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