CV Resources

A CV (also called a résumé in some countries) is a summary of your professional experience, education, background, and skills. It gives employers a snapshot of the places you have studied, worked, interned and/or volunteered. The document includes basic information about the companies and positions you have worked in, as well as bulleted lists detailing your specific contributions.

Your CV should include all experiences you have that are relevant to the job you are applying to. It is important to only include roles that you are comfortable talking about in an interview. Make sure you feel ready to elaborate on the contributions you made and/or skills you gained from each experience listed, as interviewers will often ask follow-up questions. While you should showcase the parts of your background that are most relevant to the position you are applying for, it is also important to avoid gaps in your professional timeline.

It is completely normal to feel this way, especially as a young person just beginning their professional life! Try to focus on the experiences you DO have. Your goal is to showcase transferrable skills that make you a promising job applicant. This can be done in a variety of ways, not just through "standard" work experience. Part-time jobs, volunteering, and school/community group involvement can be great ways to showcase your talents! Be sure to highlight any leadership roles you may have had in school projects or clubs. 

It may be tempting to try and make your CV feel "unique" with creative colors or fonts, but recruiters typically respond best to straightforward CVs. Keeping it simple helps potential employers quickly locate key information, increasing the chances they will take note of the specifics of your background. To stand out, use clear, succinct language in your writing. Describe your contributions as specifically as possible using unique action verbs (such as those in the list below). Take note of the skills, experience, and expectations detailed in the job posting and reflect them in your CV. This has become increasingly important with the rise of AI screening technology.

Nope! Think of your CV as an active document that should be tailored to each job posting. While the majority of your CV will remain the same, small changes in the experiences you highlight or the action verbs you use can clarify your readiness for a specific role. 

Common areas to edit include:

• Professional Summary 

• Relevant Coursework subsection (if you have one within your Education section)

• Certifications (include only those relevant to the position)

• Action verbs (change to best match job description)

• Computer Skills Section