How to Write a CV {Detailed Guide With Examples}

CV Sample

For students and job seekers, "How to Write a CV" is a topic worth exploring. There are many guides out there but a a detailed one on how to write a CV with examples is not easy to find. To bridge this gap, this article offers you a detailed guide on how to write a CV with examples. Read on and master this important writing skill.

Before we move on, let us explore the meaning of CV, or CV meaning.

CV Meaning

For us to understand CV meaning, or the meaning of CV, it is worth noting that the term CV refers to Curriculum Vitae. It can also be called a résumé or a portfolio. Whatever you call it, you will always be referring to the important details of a job seeker that will help a potential employer to decide whether or not to offer a job to this job seeker.

Format of a CV

The format of a CV refers to how it will appear once you finish writing it. This can appear simple on sight but it is quite complicated when you get to the actual writing process. There are various formats to consider but the best one captures the most important details clearly and comprehensively.

The details to be captured in a CV include the title or heading, the sub-headings and the details to be outlined below each sub-heading.

A good CV should therefore have the following format:

Format of a CV

Heading

Start with the word "Curriculum Vitae" as the heading. The heading should then be followed by specific sub-headings with necessary details for each. Note that not every CV will contain all the sub-headings that we discuss here. The choice of sub-headings to include will depend on the job-seeker's experience and the type of job being applied for. We shall discuss this later, but first, let us look at all the sub-headings.

Format of a CV

Sub-heading 1

Personal Details

In this part of the format of a CV, list your personal details such as your name, address, contacts, marital status, pin number and religion.

CV Heading and Personal Details

Format of a CV

Sub-heading 2

Educational Background

In this part of the format of a CV, you give details of the educational institutions you attended, starting from the most recent one. For each educational institution, mention the grades you achieved and any other important contribution you made.

If you are a college graduate for instance, you will begin with college, then high school, and finally primary school.

CV Educational Background

Format of a CV

Sub-heading 3

Work Experience

In this part of the format of a CV, you detail your work experience, starting with your current job, all the way to your first job ever. You can also include your internship here.

CV Work Experience

Format of a CV

Sub-heading 4

Workshops and Seminars Attended

In this part of the format of a CV, list the workshops and seminars you attended, starting with the most recent one, all the way to the first ever. It is important to highlight the skills you learnt in each workshop or seminar and whether or not a certificate was awarded.

CV Workshops and Seminars

Format of a CV

Sub-heading 5

Unions and Affiliations

In this part of the format of a CV, you list the professional and social bodies you are affiliated to, and your roles in each. For example, if you are a lawyer, you are most likely to be a member of the law society in your country, for instance, the law society of Kenya.

Format of a CV

Sub-heading 6

Hobbies

In this part of the format of a CV, you list your hobbies.

CV Hobbies

Format of a CV

Sub-heading 7

Languages

In this part of the format of a CV, you list the languages you speak, and your level of fluency in each.

Format of a CV

Sub-heading 8

Skills and Competencies

In this part of the format of a CV, you list the skills and competencies you have, that can be useful in the job you are applying for.

Format of a CV

Sub-heading 9

Certificates

In this part of the format of a CV, you list the certificates you have starting with the most recent one, all the way to the first. These should be other special certificates apart from the academic ones which you mentioned under academic achievements.

Format of a CV

Sub-heading 10

Referees

In this part of the format of a CV, you list at least three referees. These are people you have worked under before, who can give their genuine opinions about how they gauge your competency, and recommend you for the job. For each referee, provide the name, where you worked with them, email address and phone number.

CV Referees

Must you Include all the Sub-headings?

As mentioned earlier, the choice of sub-headings to use will depend on your experience and the kind of job you are applying for.

Sample CV for Students

If you are already a member of OBKEN, you can download a sample CV for students here.

If you are not a member yet, simply send us an email requesting to join and you wil be added so that you get access to this and other downloads.

CV Format in Kenya

Maybe you are looking for the best CV format in Kenya. This will depend on whether you are a student answering an examination question on CV, or you are an actual job seeker.

If you are answering an examination question on CV writing, you will be fine with just personal details, educational experience, work experience, workshops and seminars, hobbies and referees.

However, if you are a job seeker, you need to read the job advert and format your CV to be in line with the requirements of the job you are applying for. Each job application should have a specific CV aligned to it.

If you liked this post, then you might also like How to Write a CV for a Job Application.