You are expected to have learnt how to write speeches, essays, articles, journals, resume’s or curriculum vitae as a graduate. It is however unfortunate that most secondary schools do not teach their students how to write comprehensively. These students in turn gain admission into universities without prior knowledge of writing making it difficult for most Nigerian graduates to write a standard curriculum vitae.
To this end, this blog post is aimed at addressing the simple way of writing your CV professionally.
A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is an official document that outlines a person’s personal, educational and professional history. It gives your employers detailed understanding on who you are. It also market your potentials, abilities, qualifications and skills.
An application letter, on the other hand, is a formal letter that tells your interested recruiter that you have the qualities that they need as stipulated. While an application letter can't be used to make multiple applications, a CV can be used to make multiple applications. This is the main reason why it is requested more often than application letters.
It is important that your CV contains the relevant information needed, hence, you need to present a simple, non ambiguous yet professional CV.
#1 Write out your Personal details
You must firstly write your personal details which should contain name, address, email, phone number, state of origin e.t.c. Below is a typical example:
TAYO, ARINOLA JOSHUA
10, Jolaiya Street, Snooze Estate, Surulere, Lagos State.
Email: arinolatayo@gmail.com
Phone: 09046450785, 07076777097
PERSONAL DATA
Gender: Male
Marital status: Single
Date of Birth: 4th January, 1900
State of Origin: Ogun State
Local Government Area: Ijebu Waterside
Nationality: Nigerian
#2 Input your educational background.
You should give a detailed information about the schools you've attended. A typical example is given below:
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS ATTENDED WITH DATES
2012-2016: University of Ibadan, Oyo state.
B.Sc.Biophysics (second class honours, upper division)
2003-2008: High Aimers International College, Igbogbo Ikorodu.
Senior Secondary School Certificate
1993-2001: Glowville Primary School, Ikorodu.
First Leaving School Certificate
#3 Work Experience.
This aspect informs your employers your level of experience. Be brief but precise in this part of your CV. For example:
WORK EXPERIENCE
2017-2018:Cynosur Energy Company, Yaba.
Quality Assurance Manager.
2012-2013: Ardon Cables, Adowa, Ikorodu
Sales Representative
#4 Outline Your Skills & Strengths
You need to be honest in this category. This is where you sell yourself so you are expected to list what you know how to do best. Things like having good communication skills, being a good team player, being a computer literate e.t.c applies here. An example is given below:
SKILLS & STRENGTH
#5 Outline Your Hobbies & Referees
Your hobbies should not be more than four and your referees should not be more than three persons who know you well. You have to provide their numbers as your employers might want to inquire about you. A typical example is given below:
HOBBIES
Reading, Making research, Meeting people, Swimming
REFEREES
Mrs. Bolanle, Joke
Director,
Pretty International College,
Comma, Full-Stop, Ikorodu,
Africa.
Tel: +234(809)00099907
Mr. Chudi Wizkid
Head, Civil and Research Institute,
Power Bank Plc,
BBC Road, Zombie Estate,
Lekki, Lagos,
Nigeria.
Tel: +234(086)09994404
Dr. Flavour Davido
Surgeon,
Womin Hospitals Plc,
Idioriki Way, P.O.Box 419,
Lagos.
Tel: +234(086)09994404
Constructing a CV is an easy task if the above format is followed. It is advisable to submit your CV in .pdf or .DOCX format if required to submit a soft copy.
Let's now combine the sections together to form a CV.
TAYO, ARINOLA JOSHUA
10, Jolaiya Street, Snooze Estate, Surulere, Lagos State.
Email: arinolatayo@gmail.com
Phone: 09046450785, 07076777097
PERSONAL DATA
Gender: Male
Marital status: Single
Date of Birth: 4th January, 1900
State of Origin: Ogun State
Local Government Area: Ijebu Waterside
Nationality: Nigerian
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS ATTENDED WITH DATES
2012-2016: University of Ibadan, Oyo state.
B.Sc.Biophysics (second class honours, upper division)
2003-2008: High Aimers International College, Igbogbo Ikorodu.
Senior Secondary School Certificate
1993-2001: Glowville Primary School, Ikorodu.
First Leaving School Certificate
WORK EXPERIENCE
2017-2018: Cynosur Energy Company, Yaba.
Quality Assurance Manager.
2012-2013: Ardon Cables, Adowa, Ikorodu
Sales Representative
SKILLS & STRENGTH
HOBBIES
Reading, Making research, Meeting people, Swimming
REFEREES
Mrs. Bolanle, Joke
Director,
Pretty International College,
Comma, Full-Stop, Ikorodu,
Africa.
Tel: +234(809)00099907
Mr. Chudi Wizkid
Head, Civil and Research Institute,
Power Bank Plc,
BBC Road, Zombie Estate,
Lekki, Lagos,
Nigeria.
Tel: +234(086)09994404
Dr. Flavour Davido
Surgeon,
Womin Hospitals Plc,
Idioriki Way, P.O.Box 419,
Lagos.
Tel: +234(086)09994404