How to Write A Simple but Professional Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)

As a graduate, you are expected to have learnt how to write speeches, essays, articles, journals, resume’s or curriculum vitae but unfortunately, most secondary schools do not teach their students most of these things and if they do, its been rushed without the students assimilating the basics. These students in turn enter the university without prior knowledge of writing, making it difficult for most graduates especially in Nigeria to write an ordinary article talk more of a curriculum vitae. This article was written to address the problem of preparing a simple but professional curriculum vitae or resume.

A Curriculum Vitae CV is an official document that outlines a person’s educational, professional and personal history which is usually prepared for Job applications. It gives a detailed understanding to your employers on who you are or better still, it markets your potentials, abilities, qualifications and skills. It is also called a Résumé. It is different from an application letter.
An application on the other hand is a formal letter that tells your interested recruiter that you have the qualities that they need as stipulated in where you found their requirement. While an application letter cannot be used to make multiple applications, a CV can be used to make multiple applications that is why it is requested more often than application letters.
It should be noted that employers prefer reading CVs at leisure time or outside working hours as the case maybe. So, lets say an employer has about 500 CVs piled up at his desk and he needs about 20 candidates to call for the interview. Do you think he would have time for a CV that is ambiguous, badly written with irrelevant and wrong information? He would just dump those and move on to the others.


Let me sound this as an important notice. There is no best way in preparing or constructing a CV. Everyone has a format or boasts of a particular format but all still contains the relevant information needed. The main thing here is to present a simple, non ambiguous but professional CV. So with that said, let’s move to how to prepare a CV
1. First and Foremost, you should write your personal details which usually contain name, address, email, phone number, state of origin e.t.c. An example is given below:


TOLU, ADEBAYO VINCENT


100, Jigawa Street Casimo Town, Jigawa State.
Email: toluadebayo@gmail.com
Phone: 09046456785, 07077777097


PERSONAL DATA
Gender:                                      Male
Marital status                            Single
Date of Bir                                   4^th January, 1900
State of Origin:                            Jigawa
Local Government Area:           Lapai
Nationality:                                  Togolese

2. Secondly, You should put your educational qualifications which give a detailed information about the schools, universities you attended. An example is given below:


EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS ATTENDED WITH DATES


2014-2015: University of Yales, lome, Jigawa State.
B.Sc.Biophysics (second class honours, upper division)

2003-2008: Pretty International College, Cole street, Lai-mohammed, Togo.
Senior Secondary School Certificate

 1993-2001: Nigeria Staff Primary School, Gwanam, Abuja.
First Leaving School Certificate

3. The third part is your work experience which most employers require and inquire to know whether you have any experience. Be brief but clear in this part of your CV. Example:

WORK EXPERIENCE

2013-2015: Government Secondary School, Dogara-Dajem LGA, Jigawa State.
Maths Teacher

2010-2012: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Taraba State Command.
Secretary

2012-2013: Marina Hotels, Yadon, Abuja.
Hotel Receptionist

4. The next part to write should be your Skills and Strength. I have found out that most people are not 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

• Proficient in Microsoft application packages.
• Good communication and time management skills.
• Proven leadership and management skills.
• A good team player.
• Ability to learn fast and manage information.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.

5. The last phase should be your hobbies and referees. Please note that your hobbies should not be more than four and your referees should not be more than three persons who should know about you. Also provide their numbers as your employers might want to inquire about who you really are from them and whether the information you put about yourself is true. An example is given below:


HOBBIES
Reading, Making research, Meeting people, Swimming


REFEREES


Mrs. Bolanle, Joke
Director,
Pretty International College,
Comma, Full-Stop, Togo,
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,
Britain.
Tel: +234(086)09994404

As you can see from the above, writing and preparing a CV is very easy using the above format. When we now put all the information together and this is what you will get.

TOLU, ADEBAYO VINCENT

100, Jigawa Street Casimo Town, Jigawa State.
Email: toluadebayo@gmail.com
Phone: 09046456785, 07077777097


 PERSONAL DATA
Gender:                                  Male
Marital status:                        Single
Date of Birth:                          4^th January, 1900
State of Origin:                       Jigawa
Local Government Area:        Lapai
Nationality:                             Togolese


EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS ATTENDED WITH DATES

2014-2015: University of Yales, lome, Jigawa State.
B.Sc.Biophysics (second class honours, upper division)

2003-2008: Pretty International College, Cole street, Lai-mohammed, Togo.
Senior Secondary School Certificate

1993-2001: Nigeria Staff Primary School, Gwanam, Abuja.
First Leaving School Certificate


WORK EXPERIENCE

2013-2015: Government Secondary School, Dogara-Dajem LGA, Jigawa State.
Maths Teacher

2010-2012: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Taraba State Command.
Secretary

2012-2013: Marina Hotels, Yadon, Abuja.
Hotel Receptionist


SKILLS & STRENGTH

• Proficient in Microsoft application packages.
• Good communication and time management skills.
• Proven leadership and management skills.
• A good team player.
• Ability to learn fast and manage information.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision

HOBBIES
Reading, Making research, Meeting people, Swimming


REFEREES
Mrs. Bolanle, Joke
Director,
Pretty International College,
Comma, Full-Stop, Togo,
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,
Britain.
Tel: +234(086)09994404



Please also note that it is better to submit your CV in .pdf format or .DOCX, if required to submit a soft copy. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to comment below and don’t forget to share what you have just learned.