6 What is a curriculum vitae and why do I need one?
The words ‘curriculum vitae’ are Latin and translate as ‘course of life’. In practice, a CV has become a brief account of your education, qualifications and previous occupations used in support of a job application. Depending on when you are writing it, you may have more or less to include in it, or you may want to emphasise some things more than others. Even if you already have a CV, it is wise to regularly review and update it, so that the content still fits with your career goals. For instance, if you want to make a change from one career path to another, you might need to emphasise different aspects of your experience.
Activity 5 Assessing the value of CVs
This activity will familiarise you with some of the benefits of writing and maintaining a CV. Read what people have said to describe their personal experiences of creating a CV and what they see as the benefits.
Tin Win:
Regarding writing CVs, it has been one of those challenging tasks where you never get 100% perfect and you keep refining it.San San Win:
I see many CVs, and the ones that are really good, the ones that always stand out, are the ones that are clear and concise.Hla Myint:
A potential employer will make that first decision. It's the first impression that they get. It's so very important that a CV is well produced.San San Win:
Bullet points. Get to the point. Say what you want to say. Don't flower it with lots of things that the employer doesn't really want to know about.Hla Myint:
It doesn't have to be superbly well designed, but it has to be neat and tidy.San San Win:
Say what your qualifications are. Say what the grades are.Hla Myint:
The spelling has to be perfect and anything else will not do you justice.San San Win:
And if you've got the correct qualifications and the correct skills, the employer will be in touch.
Jot down the main points made, if you find them helpful.
5 Completing application forms