Study Help

How to prepare a CV

by mickey.geldenhuys

Curriculum vitae (CV) will allow you to effectively sell your skills and personality so you stand out from other applicants and prove you are the best person for the job.
 
It is important how you present the information in your CV. When preparing a CV you need to highlight all of your skills you have acquired from your studies and/or previous work experience. It is better to type your CV rather than handwrite it. Keep it to a maximum of two pages and place the most important information first. Ensure it is neat and follows a simply structure so it is easy for the reader to follow.
 
When preparing your CV, ensure you include the following fields and relevant details.
 
Personal details
This section should include your full name, date of birth and other relevant data like if you have a drivers licence.
 
Contact details
You will need to list your phone number and/or email so that your potential employer can contact you.
 
Education
List the school that you attend and the grade you are in, or the school where you matriculated from. In this section you can also list other qualifications or courses that you have attended.
 
Achievements
Here you can mention any of your academic, sport or cultural achievements. List the certificates or awards you have received, as well as if you are or have been a member of any school, cultural or sport committees, groups or teams.
 
Past experiences
If you have past work experience or have done any volunteer work, it will be beneficial to include it. Remember to include the job title you had, the period for which you worked and a description of your duties.
 
Additional skills
Mention additional skills you possess that will give you an advantage. If you are proficient in the use of computers, or speak various languages, list these attributes. You can also include your personal qualities and attributes that will help you excel at your job, for example, “I work well under pressure”, “I am able to multi-task and work well in teams”, “I have good communication skills”.
 
Interest and activities
Write about your interests and extracurricular activities you do. This will allow you to express something about your own personality and show that you can maintain a healthy balance between your work, studies and personal life.
 
Remember, there is no single way to create a CV. You can use the above basic framework to structure and present your CV and remind you about the important pieces of information to include.
 
A well written and presented CV can help you secure an interview.
 
Good luck!

Grade 10 , Grade 11 , Grade 12