HOW TO ite A cv| REVISED 2023 Cc P S Career Planning Service a Service de planification de carriéreHOW TO WRITE ACV We see a lot of CVs at CaPS. Every year we read and review literally thousands of them, for job, intern= ship, grad school and funding applications. They are from students of all levels representing each of the faculties and schools at McGill. While there is definitely room for individual variation, some things clearly work better than others. Use the information, tips and samples in this guide to start writing and organizing your CV. GETTING STARTED What's the point of a CV? ACV provides a potential employer with an overview of your experience, background and skills to entice them to invite you for an interview. CVs are also often required as part of graduate/professional school appli- cations. General guidelines * Writing a CVis an art, not a science. The goal is not to force your content into a particular template, but, rather to find a format and style that highlights your experience and strengths. The order and emphasis. of your sections should also reflect the level of priority for your reader. * Put yourselfin the shoes of your reader. Can they easily find the information they are looking for? Are the skills and experience you would bring to the organization clearly articulated? * Use concrete examples when describing your experience. What did you do/accomplish? * Your CV needs to be consistent and clear in terms of its style and format, professional in its content and overall presentation, and as much as possible, specifically targeted to the position/company/field you are applying to. Do your research! For your applications to be effective, you need to demonstrate knowledge of the em- ployer and what they are looking for. Be intentional and informed, not generic! Length: In Canada, outside of academia, your CV can be up to two pages. There are a few exceptions, in- cluding the management/business sector, which tends to prefer one page. Ask at CaPS if you are unsure about norms for your particular field/geographic area. The“Master CV"- Your first draft To make customizing your CV for each application easier, we recommend compiling a“master CV" that includes everything. The idea is to have a comprehensive record of your activities, experiences and accom- plishments that you can draw on for future applications. Use the Common CV Components list on the next page to get started. 2 Copyright © 2023 MeGill Career Planning Service How to Write a cVCopyright © 2023 MeGill Career Planning Service COMMON CV COMPONENTS These are the basic components of a CV for a current undergraduate student or recent graduate. While your contact information always comes first, the other sections can and should be presented in whichever order is most relevant to the position for which you are applying. Contact Information Experience * Include your full name, phone number and a There are many ways to organize this informa- professional email in an attractive header tion. Early on, general section headings such as “Volunteer Experience" work well. However, * Including your full civic address is optional once you have more experience and want to * Ifpertinent, you can indicate a local and per- highlight patterns you have identified, try to manent address/city strategically use headers for your experience * Include your website and/or edited LinkedIn section(s) in order to incorporate key skills from URL if relevant the job description * In North America, personal information such as age and citizenship are not included General options includes Work Experience Volunteer Experience Extracurricular Experience Career-Related Experience Additional Experience Languages * Ifyou speak more than one language, list these in order of relevance to the workplace eeeee * Indicate your level of proficiency (.e. basic, intermediate, fluent) Sample targeted headings: * Tutoring Experience *® Sales and Customer Service Experience * Outreach and Marketing Experience *® Writing and Editing Experience * Research Experience . * Leadership Experience Education * Performance Experience © Administrative Experience Computer/Technical/Laboratory Skills * List the specific programs/software or lab techniques you are familiar with * List all degrees you hold or are working on, most recent first ‘* Include any specializations (major, minor), Certifications/Affiliations/Memberships/ thesis or honours work Additional Training * You can include scholarships and awards as details here, or in a separate “Awards” section List any additional certifications or active memberships you hold, along with the dates Awards and Scholarships Interests and Activities * List titles, reason for the award (if not clear © Make sure this section is organized and rela- from the title) and dates tively detailed/specific How to Write a CVCopyright © 2023 McGill Career Planning Service LANGUAGE, STYLE & FORMAT Use a simple, clear format such as the example below: What (your degree or job title) date-date Where (school or company and location) + Details Use formatting techniques such as indenting and bold consistently throughout to increase readability Use bullet points for your details; long dense paragraphs are hard to read quickly and CVs are usually skimmed in a few seconds, not read word-for-word List education and experience in reverse chronological order (most recent first “by end date”) Simple, straightforward layouts tend to work best; avoid tables, boxes, templates Choosea standard, legible and professional font in a legible size Ensure your email address, voicemail message and any URLs are professional in tone PROOFREAD your CV carefully for typos, spelling mistakes and poor grammar Describing your experience * Aim for a factual, confident and professional tone; avoid embellishment * Use active, skills-based language” and specific examples to highlight your accomplishments © Start each bullet with an action verb instead of using pronouns (i.e. , we) Pay attention to verb tenses: if you are no longer working somewhere, the verbs should be in past tense, for a current activity, use the present tense Add a descriptor for clarity if your title was “Volunteer” or “Intern’, (i.e. Volunteer Peer Tutor, Adminis- trative Intern) * see the list of Action Verbs at the end of this guide TARGETING YOUR CV Keep the following tips in mind to ensure your CVs specifically tailored for each application: Read the job description carefully and research the organization to identify the key skills needed Use targeted headings (see examples on page 3) which speak to the main requirements of the position Ensure your descriptive bullets are prioritized and tailored for the role Consider the order of your sections to make sure the most important experiences appear early on How to Write a CVCopyright © 2023 McGill Career Planning Service SAMPLE: ONE-PAGE CV Jane Student Vancouver, BC [email protected] 514-111-9999 Education Bachelor of Arts: Soclology Major 20x«- Present McGill University, Montréal, QC ‘+ James MeGill Entrance Scholarshtp (20x) Leadership and Communication Experience Peet Career Leader 208 Present MoGil Career Planning Service (CaPS), Montréal, QC ‘+ Meet wlth students to review and offer feedback on thelr CVs + Organize classroom presentatons to promote CaPS activites and serlees ‘+ Peer outreach atvties have resulted in 410% Increase h drop-n appointments Communtcattons Intern (cancelled due to COVID-19) ‘Summer 20xx Really Coal Non-Profit, Montréal, QC Camp Counsellor ‘Summer 20xx ABC Daycamp, Vancouver, BC ‘+ Supervised and tnteracted whth a group of 16 children aged 6 to 19 years + Developed weekly activites and agendas for eampers ‘+ Created and led local outings to attractions such as Sclence World ‘+ Prepared and administered work schedule fr all counsellors Additional Work Experience Crew Member 20xx~203x Midnight Kitchen, Montreal, QC ‘+ Worked ina team of 8 to produce healthy, sustainably sourced meals or students Groundskeeper ‘Summers 203 -20xx Jagre Ridge Golf Course, Vernon, BC "+ Collaborated with a team of 12 ta groom the golf course each morning for lients Certifications and Skills © CPR/Fest Ald Certfled May 20x, exp 20. ‘+ Microsoft Offce Suite: Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Adobe Photoshop Activities and Interests Musfe: Over 10 years of experfence as an active amateur mustcian In orchestras and hands ‘Achfeved Grade 8 RCM standing n both trumpet and plano Sports: Avtd runner, cyclst and skler, annual partletpant inthe Terry Fox Run How to Write a CV 5Copyright © 2023 McGill Career Planning Service SAMPLE: TWO-PAGE CV Jean-Francois Student Montréal, QC [email protected]; 514-330-1123 linkedin.com/in/jfstudent Languages English and French (Bilingual) Education Bachelor of Science, Honours Anatomy and Cell Biology 20xx- 20x McGill University, Montréal, OC ‘+ Minors in Anthropology and Social Studies of Medicine + Dears Honour List Diplome d'Etudes Collegial (DEC), Health Sciences 20x«- 20% Cégep de Trois-Rivieres, Trois-Rivires, QC Research Experience Clinical Research Coordinator 20xx- Present Bone and Mineral Unit, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montréal, QC + Coordinate two research projects investigating treatments for osteoporosis + Liaise between patients, investigators, hospital staff, and sponsoring companies ‘+ Design and provide information and resources for patients diagnosed with osteoporosis, ‘+ Successfully recruited hundreds of study participants using innovative advertising Undergraduate Research Assistant 20% - 20% Professor McGill Lab, McGill University, Montréal, OC ‘+ Welcomed and registered participants and explained study ‘+ Completed data entry, administrative tasks and laboratory maintenance mmi Involve Friendly Vi 20xx- Present Montréal General Hospital, Montréal, QC 20xx- Present Centre Hospitalier St-Therese, Shawinigan, QC 20%x«- 2030 ‘+ Visit patients inthe dialysis unit to provide conversation, and support Volunteer Service Participant 20%«- 20% Katimavik Youth Leadership Program, Hearst, ON, Prince Rupert, BC & Moncton, NB ‘+ Uved with a group of 15 young people in three small Canadian communities for one year + Volunteered as an Activities Coordinator in a seniors’ residence, as a Tree Planter in a deforested area and as a Mentor in a community centre for at-risk youth 6 How to Write a CVCopyright © 2023 McGill Career Planning Service Additional Work Experience Server (part-time) 20%«- Present Bar le Barout, Montréal, QC + Train new staff on service and cash + Awarded most efficient worker three months in a row + Nominated point person to deal with erisis situations Sport Camp Counsellor ‘Summers 20%, 2000- McGill Sports Camp, Montréal, QC + Supervised a group of 10 children between the ages of 8-10 + Created and ran multiple activities related to various sports including soccer and basketball + Encouraged and motivated children to participate and succeed in activities * Updated parents on dally activites and events Extra-Curricular Activities ‘McGill International Student Buddy 20, - 20% International Student Services, McGill University, Montréal, QC + Communicated with new McGill students from abroad prior to their arrival; advised and assisted them during their entre first year Orientation Leader ‘Aug 20%% McGill University, Montréal, OC * Leda group of 20 new McGill students through orientation activities Judo Instructor 20% - 20% Centre de Judo Shawinigan, Shawinigan, QC + Coached children between the ages of 5-15 + Judged judo competitions for the 5-8 year old category + Created an information sheet forall participants about schedules and required equipment. Activities and Interests Sports: + Varsity soccer, McGill University (20m-Present) + Judo black belt (201%-Present). Won national championship in 20xx & 20xx Music: + Piano ~ classical & jazz (20x«-Present) Travel: + France, England, Spain, Portugal and Australia How to Write a CV 7Copyright © 2023 MeGill Career Planning Service SAMPLE: ONE-PAGE CV * Fatima Student [email protected]; 514-398-3334 EDUCATION Bachelor of Arts and Science, Economies and Mathematics 20xx- 20s “McGill University, Montréal, Canada + Minor in History + Exchange term at University of Edinburgh (Winter 20%) International Baccalaureate Diploma 20-20 XYZ International School, Beirut, Lebanon. (CAREER-RELATED EXPERIENCE Research and Event Planning Intern, Summer 20x United Nations, New York, USA + Researched the advantages of miceo financing for female farmers in West Africa + Assisted with planning for annual agriculture conference + Translated English conference documents to French and Arabic VP Finance 20x - 20x “McGill Arab Students’ Association, Montréal, Canada + Managed the annual budget for one of McGill's largest student associations Assistant Analyst Intern Summer 20x ABC Bank, Hong Kong, China + Translated English financial documents to French + Documented trade transactions and entered data into Excel Receptionist 20x - 20x SPT Shipping, Beirut, Lebanon + Answered client inquiries on the phone and in person in a trilingual environment + Updated client accounts and entered import and export data SKILLS AND INTERESTS, Languages: English, French and Arabic: Fluent, Hebrew: Intermediate, Mandarin: Basie Software: Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams Interests: Reading (Politics, Technology), Painting and Genealogy Sports: Basketball (Team Captain in high school, intramurals at McGill), Ultimate Fiisbee and Golf World Travel: Australia, Germany, France, UK, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, USA and Canada ‘© REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST # 8 How to Write a CVCopyright © 2023 McGill Career Planning Service ACTION VERBS On the following two pages you will ind alist of action verbs organized by skill area. Use these to help you describe your past experiences and skills in your CV and Cover Letter. Make sure to check out all of the categories as many verbs apply to multiple skills! ANALYSIS Accounted —Citiqued Measured Analyzed Deciphered Observed Ascertalned _Deliberated —_Prfortized Assessed, Determined Progremmed Compared Estimated Projected Computed Evaluated Questioned Conceptualized Examined Rated Conduded Formulated Recommended Confirmed Justified -—=Researched CREATIVITY Adapted Created Improvised Authored Designed Innovated Brainstormed Developed Invented Built Engineered Made Composed _Envisioned Manufactured Constructed Illustrated Produced How to Write a CV COMMUNICATION ‘Addressed —-Counselled Interpreted Referred Advocates Demonstrated Lectured ‘Authored Discussed ——_Ustened ales Drafted ——_Lobbled Ciaifed Elite Marketed Coached Educated ——Pexsuaded Communicated Elted Presented Contacted Explained Promoted Convinced _Familarized—Publidzed Comtesponded Informed Queried INITIATIVE ‘Accelerated Created Improvised Coordinated Intated Established Insthuted Founded Introduced Generated Launched Handled Proposed Reported Responded Spoke Summarized Taught Transcribed Translated Tutored wrote Revitalzed Solicited ‘Speatheaded Implemented Rejuvenated UtllizedACTION VERBS Copyright © 2023 McGill Career Planning Service LEADERSHIP Administered Advised Allocated Anticipated Appointed Approved Assigned Authorized Delegated Headed Directed Hired Empowered Enabled Encouraged Endorsed Enforced Maintained Financed Managed Monitored ‘Motivated TEAMWORK Accommodated Contributed Integrated Related Assisted Balanced 10 Cooperated Mediated Respected Facltated Negotiated Shared Harmonized Participated Helped Partnered PROBLEM SOLVING Aled. Fulfil Generated dene Improved Increased Polished Reconcled Rectified Reduced Solved Refined Streamlined Strengthened Supplemented ‘Transformed ‘Troubleshot Updated Upgraded . AND MORE! atvated Added Appraised Approximate suclted Displayed Dissected Exclld fxecuted Expesimented Familataed Guaranteed Involved Issued Ucensed Navigated Operates Performed Prepared Realized Served How to Write a CVS Downtown Campus Brown Student Services Building 3600 McTavish Street, Suite 2200 Montreal, QC H3A 0G3 514-398-3304 [email protected] McGill | CaPS Macdonald Campus Centennial Centre 21111 Lakeshore Road Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9 514-398-3304 [email protected] Copyright © 2023 McGill Career Planning Service