Work with a partner, Student A read the article "How to. . Write a CV" below, Student B read the article "The Write Way to Find a Job" on page 103.
STUDENT A
Tell your partner what recommendations "How to Write a CV" makes about:
• personal information and experience.
• layout, language and style,
Which of the fifteen points (a-o) in exercise 5 are mentioned in the article?
H O W T O W RIT E A C V
When applying for a job you'II be in competition with a number of other comiidat.cs. So your CV is Important -- interviewers will decide whether or not to see you on the strength of what you have written. Don't just think of it as a list of facts; It should sum up your personal, educational and career history, as well as being an indication of your strengths and weaknesses, Here are a few suggestions:
Presentation
Always type your CV. Use a good typewriter or word processor.
If n CV is hand-written, it goes into the waslepnper basket., Use good quality paper. Don't give the impression this is just another photocopy,
Never send a CV without a covering letter explaining which vacancy you're applying for. If you're writing "on spec", send a short letter explaining what kind of post vou't'c looking for,
Don't lax a CV unless you're asked to. It's a confidential document.
Content
Write a lisi of important headings, These should include your iiiinu:, date of binh, your address (and your e-mail address, if you have one), phone number (at work and at home), your work record and so on,
Sun with vour most recent job and work backwards.
Don't leave out any vital information, if youspent a year or two
travelling, say so, Years that arc unaccounted for will secm^"
suspicious,
Don't include any negative Information, such as exam failures or lost jobs, lie positive about yourself, but don't lieor you will undermine yourself From the start.
Don't ask for your CV to he returned; many companies keep CVsKtn file for future reference.
(adapted from an article.by I'jleni Kyriacou in Midweek)
STUDENT B
Tell your partner what recommendations "The Write Way lo Find a Job" makes about:
• personal information and experience.
* layout, language and style.
Which of the fifteen points (a~o) In exercise 5 (page 13) are mentioned In the article?
a,
ANSWERING advertisements is one way of finding a job.'But there is a big gap|boiween she number of vacancies filled and those -advertised. So writing on spec, to employers can often be/a good idea. -
The object is to get the employer to see you - no more, because the best yothcan hope for from such an approach is an interview. Asking .straight out "for a job is fatal because it invites a yes or no response, As no one will offer a post to aiuinknowii quantity the answer will always be negative.
There are a number of golden rules:
• Try to research the name (spelt correctly!) of a specific person to write to,
* Put yourself in the employer's shoes. Think of what you have to offer.
0 Try to keep your CV brief •» one page is enough; perfect prose isn't,expected --note form is acceptable.
» Gear your CV to the job aiKhorganisntioh. No two CVs should be exactly alike.
' If you've been in work, explain your duties and how your work has evolved. Demonstrate on paper thai you are a potential asset.
■ List your outside interests and skills. Don't forget your language abilities, Participation in sports can show your capacity for team work.
If your covering letter is in Bnglish it should be checked by a native speaker, You should state at the beginning why you are writing and then try .to keep the reader interested. You ..must establish that you would like an interview. Udil ruthlessly, Go over your letter as many times as necessary. Search" onl and gel rid of all unnecessary words and sentences.
■{.adapted from an article by GcnffcyOolzenin THE TJMtfS)