Curriculum Vitae (CV) Writing Tips and Template

When applying for certain positions in Nigeria, as well as jobs internationally, you may be required to submit a curriculum vitae. A curriculum vitae, or CV, includes more information than details of your education and academic achievements, research, publications, awards, affiliations, and more.

What to Include in a Curriculum Vitae

A curriculum vitae, commonly referred to as CV, is a longer (two or more pages), more detailed synopsis. Your CV should be clear, concise, complete, and up-to-date with current employment and educational information.

The following are examples of information that can be included in your curriculum vitae. The elements that you include will depend on what you are applying for, so be sure to incorporate the most relevant information to support your candidacy in your CV.

• Personal details and contact information. Most CVs start with contact information and personal data but avoid superfluous details, such as religious affiliation, children's names and so on.
• Education and qualifications. Include the names of institutions and dates attended in reverse order; PhD, Masters, Undergraduate.
• Work experience/employment history. The most widely accepted style of employment record is the chronological curriculum vitae. Your career history is presented in reverse date order starting with most recent. Achievements and responsibilities are listed for each role. More emphasis/information should be put on more recent jobs.

• Skills. Include computer skills, foreign language skills, and any other recent training that is relevant to the role applied for.
• Brief biography
• Scholarships
• Training
• Study(ies) abroad
• Dissertations
• Theses
• Bibliography
• Research experience
• Graduate fieldwork
• Teaching experience
• Publications
• Presentations and lectures

• Exhibitions
• Awards and honors
• Grants, fellowships, and assistantships
• Technical, computer, and language skills
• Professional licenses and certifications
• Memberships
• Hobbies and Interests

What Not to Include

There is no need to include your photo, your salary history, the reason you left your previous position. In some cases, references should be listed separately and given to employers upon request.

How Long Should a CV Be?

A CV should ideally cover no more than two pages and never more than three. Aim to ensure the content is clear, structured, concise and relevant. Using bullet points rather than full sentences can help minimize word usage.

Curriculum Vitae Example

The following is a CV sample for a job seeker with international work experience.  This CV includes employment history, education, competencies, awards, skills and personal interests.

Junior Ajayi
(234) 810 444 5429 
jnrajayi@example.com

EDUCATION

Sept. 20XX - Present, University of Obudu, NG

• Candidate for Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering (ME)
• Major academic course highlights: Company Property Management, Marketing, Technology Communication, Information Management System, Modern Fabrication System

May 20XX, Certified Public Accounting Training (CPA)

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Dec. 20XX - Present, ITT Flygt Investment, Nigeria
Application Engineer, Sales & Marketing

• Achieve sales budget goals through application support and new industry market application research.
• Pay visits to end users and DI for seminars and technical presentations with salespersons or distributors while collecting marketing information and competitor information analysis.

July 20XX – Sept. 20XX, Intel Products Co., Obudu, Nigeria  
CPU Assembly Engineer (Internship)

• Analyzed yield ratio trends, documented and solved current problems.
• Participated in and helped oversee the training of marketing, business process modeling, and analysis at Intel University.
• Developed and led a project review with multi-media animation, which was highly appreciated by department manager.

June 20XX - July 20XX, NG Fund Management Co., LTD.
Campus Intern 

• Analyzed investment principles and related financially derived products.
• Formulated the scheme of market popularization and network marketing.

AWARDS

• 20XX-20XX, Scholarship for Excellent Students of Obudu University

COMPETENCIES & INTERESTS

English Ability: Advance competency

Computer Skills:

• Fluent in: C++, VBA, Provision, JMP, AutoCAD, 3Dsmax, Photoshop, Solidworks, Aftereffect

Personal Interests:

Basketball; Speed Skating; Snooker

Reference

Alison, D. (2014). Free Microsoft Curriculum Vitae (CV) Templates. Accessed: June 25, 2016. Available at https://www.thebalance.com/free-microsoft-curriculum-vitae-cv-templates-for-word-2060343