There is no right way to write a CV. The most important thing students should do is to keep your CV up-to-date. Get samples online or from else to help you get started and keep it professional – edit carefully and computerized.

Some tips for students to write a good CV:

1. The purpose of a CV

• To inform the employer about your education, work experience, skills and interests
• To ‘sell’ these qualities and to persuade the employer to invite you to interview 

2. 5Cs for an effective CV

• Clear – well organized and logical 
• Concise – relevant and necessary 
• Complete – includes everything you need 
• Consistent – don’t mix styles or fonts 
• Current – Up-to-date 

3. Proving your ability –  4 main things employers will look at in CVs

• Education: ability to think clearly, analyze and assess information, draw conclusions, work independently, research 
• Work experience: ability to get on with people, work under pressure, meet deadlines 
• Leisure interests: ability to plan and organize, co-operate with others, compete, lead, work hard to achieve results 
• Specific skills: e.g. driving license, computer skills, foreign languages, artistic skills 

4. Presentation of your CV

• The first visual impression of your CV is important
• For standard CVs, use plain white A4 paper
• Do not double side 
• Keep your CV to two sides of paper
• Check your spelling
• Use bullet points and bold font but in moderation
• Formatting – make sure it’s consistent 
• Size 10-12 font (depending on font style)
• Clear font e.g. Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman
• Focus on accomplishments
• Target your CV to that job/company
• 2:1, not Two One or 2,1
• Use short, concise sentences
• Consider your audience 

5. Should a CV include references?

• Professional references are a list of contacts you will provide employers to provide information about you and your work. Employers value references because they can get a third-party opinion on the value you’ll bring to their team.
• Checking references may be the final step a potential employer takes before offering you a job, so preparing a list of people who can vouch for your work is crucial when looking for new opportunities. If references can be an important piece of the interview process, should they be included on the most common first touchpoint with employers—your CV?
• To tie your CV up, you should have a reference section. You should include two contacts – one academic and one previous employer. It's acceptable to put "References available upon request" to save space, but it does work in your favour if you can provide two contacts straight away.
• You should always ask the relevant people for their permission before citing them as a reference. This will save you and them any embarrassment if an employer follows up without warning!

 

Hope this information will help students write a good CV.