Are you an undergraduate student thinking about your next summer job or internship? Or maybe you recently graduated from college and are in the process of applying to jobs for the first time. Whatever it is, job applications will require that you send over your CV, AKA your resume.
A CV is your chance to convince a potential employer of your worthiness. It is an opportunity to show why you deserve to come and interview for the particular job position.
Writing a CV can be very stressful, especially when you are a student and don’t have much job experience. Whether you have a lot of experience or basically none, it is important to make a good first impression.
Do you have volunteer experience? Are you involved in an extracurricular activity like a club? Do you speak more than one language? These are all things you’ll want to include when you don’t have much experience in the job department yet. This way, you can ensure to land your dream position and be satisfied with your job.
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Personal details: Include your name, email, phone number and address at the top of your CV.
Work experience (if you have any): List all of your relevant work experience, starting with the most recent job. Include the job title, name of the company or organization, time you worked there, and your job responsibilities.
Achievements: Include your highest achievements and honors.
Education: List your educational experience, types of qualifications, and the grade you achieved.
Hobbies and interests: This isn’t necessary but mentioning something relevant can help you stand out. Avoid including hobbies that have nothing to do with the job.
Objective: An objective statement should tell the reader who you are, what your career goals are, and how the internship or job will help you get there.
Things You Should Definitely Do
Structure your CV in an organized and professional manner
Read the job description thoroughly. Do you meet the job requirements of the position?
Tailor your CV towards the job you are looking for. You should customize your CV (and may even have more than 1 CV) depending on the kind of jobs you are applying for
Proofread your resume
Keep it short- relevant information should be able to fit on one page
Choose a clear, professional font
Show an understanding of the job requirements
Include major leadership roles you have undertaken
Add links to a personal website, online portfolio, blog, or social media profiles if relevant (e.g. your LinkedIn profile).
Things You Should Definitely Not Do
Don’t put every job you’ve ever held on your CV. Include only relevant ones.
Don’t go over one page; you should be able to fit all relevant experience on one page.
Don’t send the same CV to every job. Tailor your CV according to different job positions. This includes highlighting relevant skills, accomplishments, and the experience you have in their field.
Don’t use an unprofessional email address as your point of contact.
Soon to graduate professional, fluent in spanish and with several years experience working with the low-income community, seeking to build a career in social work.
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF INDIANA– Bloomington, IN
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work; GPA: 3.6, May 2019 (Expected graduation date)
Member of the social work club
Studied abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina January 2018-April 2018
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
CRISIS TEXT HOTLINE
Volunteer, June 2017-Present
Provide texting services to individuals who are distressed
Conduct a suicide assessment for every caller
Completed 20 hour training orientation
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS, Bloomington, IN
Volunteer, March 2016-Present
Volunteering as a “big sister” to an 8 year old girl from a low-income neighborhood
Spend five hours a week with the child
Help child with school work
Assess and evaluate child’s difficulties in school
HOMES FOR THE HOMELESS, Chicago, IL
Intern, Summer 2018
Assisted head social worker with family assessments and intakes
Observed therapy sessions
Helped residents find jobs
Co-developed a therapy group for single mothers living in the home and led the group with a fellow intern.
WOMEN ON PURPOSE – Bloomington, IN
Research Assistant, September 2016-April 2017
Examined cultural resilience factors in South African women exposed to trauma
David Tabachnikov is the CEO of ScholarshipOwl. Formerly at Waze and Google, David is an experienced CTO/R&D manager with over 10 years of experience of leading tech teams. David fervently believes that students should have greater access to education, and is passionate about using technology to help them achieve that goal.
