Vocabulary for Writing a CV

General Terms

  1. Curriculum Vitae (CV) – A detailed document highlighting professional history and qualifications.
  2. Resume – A brief summary of skills, experience, and education (often used interchangeably with CV, but typically shorter).
  3. Application – The process of applying for a job or position.
  4. Employer – A person or organization that hires people.
  5. Employee – A person who is hired to work for an employer.

Sections of a CV

  1. Contact Information – Personal details such as name, address, phone number, and email.
  2. Objective Statement – A brief statement of career goals and what the applicant seeks in a job.
  3. Summary – A concise overview of qualifications and skills.
  4. Work Experience – A section detailing previous employment and responsibilities.
  5. Education – A section listing academic qualifications and institutions attended.
  6. Skills – Specific abilities relevant to the job, such as technical skills, language proficiency, etc.
  7. Certifications – Official documents verifying the completion of a course or training.
  8. References – Individuals who can provide a recommendation or verification of qualifications.

Action Verbs

  1. Developed – Created or improved something.
  2. Managed – Supervised or oversaw a team or project.
  3. Coordinated – Organized different elements of a project or task.
  4. Implemented – Put a plan or decision into action.
  5. Achieved – Reached a goal or completed a task successfully.
  6. Conducted – Carried out or performed a task or research.
  7. Collaborated – Worked together with others to achieve a common goal.

Describing Experience

  1. Internship – A temporary position, often unpaid, that provides practical experience.
  2. Volunteer Work – Unpaid work done to help others or the community.
  3. Part-time/Full-time – Types of employment based on hours worked per week.
  4. Freelance – Working independently, often on a project basis.

Formatting and Style

  1. Chronological – Arranging information in the order of time (most recent first).
  2. Functional – Organizing a CV by skills rather than work history.
  3. Bullet Points – A list format that highlights key information clearly.
  4. Tailored – Customized to fit a specific job or employer.

Soft Skills

  1. Communication – The ability to convey information effectively.
  2. Teamwork – Working collaboratively with others.
  3. Problem-Solving – Finding solutions to challenges or issues.
  4. Adaptability – The ability to adjust to new conditions or challenges.
  5. Leadership – The ability to lead and motivate others.

Tips for CV Writing

  1. Proofread – To check for errors before submitting.
  2. Professionalism – Maintaining a standard of behavior appropriate for a work setting.
  3. Networking – Building relationships that can lead to job opportunities.

Great Verbs for CV writing

Power VerbDefinitionExample
DirectedTo lead or manage a project or team.“Directed a team of five in developing a new marketing strategy.”
LedTo guide or be in charge of a group.“Led a project that resulted in a 20% increase in sales.”
ManagedTo oversee or be responsible for something.“Managed daily operations for a busy retail store.”
OversawTo supervise or monitor an activity or group.“Oversaw the implementation of a new software system.”
CoordinatedTo organize activities or efforts.“Coordinated events for a local nonprofit organization.”
SupervisedTo watch over and direct activities.“Supervised a team of interns during their summer project.”
FacilitatedTo make a process easier or help it progress.“Facilitated workshops to improve team collaboration.”
ExecutedTo carry out a plan or task effectively.“Executed a comprehensive training program for new employees.”
PresentedTo show or explain information formally.“Presented findings to senior management at quarterly meetings.”
ArticulatedTo express ideas clearly and effectively.“Articulated the company’s vision in a public forum.”
NegotiatedTo discuss and reach an agreement.“Negotiated contracts with suppliers to reduce costs.”
AuthoredTo write or create documents.“Authored a comprehensive report on market trends.”
DraftedTo prepare a preliminary version of a document.“Drafted policy proposals for government review.”
PromotedTo advocate or support something.“Promoted new product features through social media campaigns.”
PublicizedTo make something widely known.“Publicized the charity event through local news outlets.”
AnalyzedTo examine data or information in detail.“Analyzed customer feedback to improve service quality.”
ResolvedTo find a solution to a problem.“Resolved customer complaints quickly and effectively.”
InvestigatedTo examine a situation carefully.“Investigated discrepancies in financial reports.”
FormulatedTo create or develop a plan or idea.“Formulated a strategic plan to enhance company growth.”
DevisedTo invent or come up with a solution.“Devised a new approach to streamline workflow.”
DiagnosedTo identify the nature of a problem.“Diagnosed technical issues in the system within minutes.”
CritiquedTo review and provide feedback.“Critiqued design proposals to ensure compliance with standards.”
DesignedTo create a plan or outline for something.“Designed a user-friendly website for the company.”
CreatedTo bring something into existence.“Created an award-winning advertising campaign.”
DevelopedTo grow or improve something over time.“Developed training materials for staff education.”
InventedTo create something new.“Invented a product that improved energy efficiency.”
InnovatedTo introduce new ideas or methods.“Innovated a solution that reduced production costs.”
ConceptualizedTo form an idea or concept.“Conceptualized a new service offering based on market research.”
EngineeredTo design and build something complex.“Engineered a new software application to enhance user experience.”
AchievedTo successfully reach a goal or outcome.“Achieved a 30% increase in sales over one year.”
ExceededTo go beyond expectations or limits.“Exceeded performance targets by 15%.”
AccomplishedTo complete successfully.“Accomplished all project milestones ahead of schedule.”
SurpassedTo go beyond a set standard.“Surpassed company benchmarks for customer satisfaction.”
EnhancedTo improve the quality or value of something.“Enhanced online presence through strategic marketing.”
ElevatedTo raise to a higher position or level.“Elevated team performance through targeted training sessions.”
BoostedTo increase or improve something.“Boosted team morale by organizing team-building activities.”
CollaboratedTo work together with others on a project.“Collaborated with cross-functional teams to deliver projects.”
ContributedTo give or add to a project or effort.“Contributed ideas during brainstorming sessions.”
PartneredTo work jointly with others.“Partnered with local businesses to expand outreach.”
AssistedTo help or support someone in a task.“Assisted in the preparation of quarterly financial reports.”
SupportedTo provide help or resources.“Supported the team during a major project rollout.”
JoinedTo become part of a team or group.“Joined the initiative to enhance workplace diversity.”
UnifiedTo bring together separate elements.“Unified the marketing and sales teams to improve communication.”
ProgrammedTo write code for software or systems.“Programmed a database management system for the department.”
OperatedTo control or manage machinery or systems.“Operated high-tech equipment during production processes.”
ExecutedTo put a plan into action.“Executed marketing strategies that drove traffic to the website.”
ImplementedTo put into effect a plan or decision.“Implemented new policies to improve workplace safety.”
ConfiguredTo set up or arrange something.“Configured network settings to enhance security.”
EngineeredTo design and create complex systems.“Engineered a new production line that improved efficiency.”
TroubleshotTo identify and resolve problems.“Troubleshot technical issues to minimize downtime.”
TrainedTo instruct or educate others in a skill.“Trained new employees on company policies and procedures.”
MentoredTo guide and support someone in their development.“Mentored junior staff to enhance their professional skills.”
CoachedTo train or develop someone’s skills.“Coached team members in effective presentation techniques.”
EducatedTo provide knowledge or information.“Educated clients about product features and benefits.”
GuidedTo lead or direct someone in a process.“Guided a team through a major project transition.”
OrganizedTo arrange systematically.“Organized community outreach events to increase awareness.”
StreamlinedTo simplify a process for efficiency.“Streamlined reporting procedures to save time and resources.”
DocumentedTo record information systematically.“Documented all project phases to ensure compliance.”
ScheduledTo arrange times for activities or events.“Scheduled meetings with clients to discuss project updates.”
ExecutedTo carry out a plan or task effectively.“Executed marketing campaigns that increased brand visibility.”

Conversation Questions about CVs

Icebreaker: If you could have any job in the world, what would it be and why?

First Impressions: What do you think is the first thing an employer notices about a CV? Why do you think that is?

Personal Experience: Have you ever had to write a CV or resume? What was that experience like for you?

Advice from Others: Have you received any advice about writing a CV from friends or family? What was the best piece of advice you got?

Cultural Differences: In your culture, are there any unique elements that should be included in a CV? What are they?

Skills Spotlight: What skills do you think are most important to highlight on a CV? Why?

Job Searching: What do you enjoy most and least about searching for a job?

Mistakes to Avoid: What do you think are common mistakes people make when writing their CVs? How can they be avoided?

Using Technology: How do you think technology has changed the way we write CVs and apply for jobs?

Future Goals: What kind of job do you see yourself in five years from now, and how do you think your CV will help you get there?

Role Models: Do you have a role model in your field? How do you think their CV helped them achieve their success?

Professional Development: What experiences or qualifications do you think are most valuable to include in your CV? Why?

Networking: How important do you think networking is when it comes to job searching and writing a CV?

Visual Appeal: How much do you think the layout and design of a CV matter? What styles do you find appealing?

Practice: If you could give a quick elevator pitch about yourself to a potential employer, what key points would you include?

Personal Branding: How do you think personal branding relates to your CV and job applications?

Industry-Specific: What differences do you think there are in CV writing for different industries (e.g., creative vs. corporate)?

Success Stories: Have you ever heard a success story about someone getting a job because of a great CV? What did you learn from it?

Support Systems: Who do you rely on for support when you’re applying for jobs or writing your CV? Why?

  1. Curriculum Vitae (CV):
    • What do you think is the most important information to include in your CV?
  2. Resume:
    • How do you think a resume differs from a CV in terms of content and length?
  3. Application:
    • Have you ever filled out a job application? What was that experience like for you?
  4. Employer:
    • What qualities do you look for in an employer when applying for a job?
  5. Employee:
    • What responsibilities do you think an employee should have in a workplace?
  6. Contact Information:
    • Why is it important to keep your contact information updated on your CV?
  7. Objective Statement:
    • How would you write an objective statement for a job you really want? What would you include?
  8. Summary:
    • How would you summarize your skills and experiences in a few sentences for a potential employer?
  9. Work Experience:
    • What kind of work experience do you think is most valuable for your career?
  10. Education:
    • How does your education play a role in your job applications?
  11. Skills:
    • What skills do you believe are essential for the job you want, and how would you highlight them on your CV?
  12. Certifications:
    • Do you think having certifications improves your chances of getting hired? Why or why not?
  13. References:
    • How do you choose which people to list as references on your CV?
  14. Developed:
    • Can you give an example of a project you developed in your previous job or during your studies?
  15. Managed:
    • Have you ever managed a team or a project? What was that experience like?
  16. Coordinated:
    • Describe a time when you coordinated an event or project. What challenges did you face?
  17. Implemented:
    • Can you share an experience where you implemented a new idea or process at work or school?
  18. Achieved:
    • What is an achievement you are particularly proud of, and how did it impact your career?
  19. Conducted:
    • Have you ever conducted research or a study? What were the main findings?
  20. Collaborated:
    • Describe a situation where you collaborated with others. What was your role in the team?
  21. Internship:
    • Have you completed an internship? What did you learn from that experience?
  22. Volunteer Work:
    • What types of volunteer work have you done, and how has it contributed to your CV?
  23. Part-time/Full-time:
    • Which do you prefer: part-time or full-time work? Why?
  24. Freelance:
    • Have you ever done freelance work? What was the best and worst part of that experience?
  25. Chronological:
    • Do you think a chronological format is the best way to present your work experience? Why or why not?
  26. Functional:
    • What do you think are the advantages of using a functional CV format?
  27. Bullet Points:
    • How do bullet points help make information on a CV clearer and easier to read?
  28. Tailored:
    • Why is it important to tailor your CV for each job application?
  29. Communication:
    • How do strong communication skills help in the job application process?
  30. Teamwork:
    • Can you share an example of how teamwork has helped you achieve a goal?
  31. Problem-Solving:
    • Describe a challenging situation you faced at work or school and how you solved it.
  32. Adaptability:
    • Why do you think adaptability is important in today’s job market?
  33. Leadership:
    • Have you ever taken on a leadership role? What did you learn from that experience?
  34. Proofread:
    • How important is it to proofread your CV before sending it out? What mistakes should you look for?
  35. Professionalism:
    • What does professionalism mean to you in a workplace context?
  36. Networking:
    • How has networking helped you in your career? Can you share a specific example?

An Example British CV