BUT 1 GEA S4

HOW TO WRITE A CV / RESUME

Discussion

Discuss why you agree or disagree with the following statements about writing CVs or résumés :
1. You should always state your career objective
2. You should list five or six people who can be contacted as references
3. You should never use more than one page
4. You should describe your experience first, then your qualifications.

Skim reading

Decide in what order you expect the following categories to occur in a CV. Then read the CV belon to
check.
 Work experience  Personal details  Voluntary roles / positions
of responsibility
 References  Qualifications
 General / additional skills
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Reading for detail

Read the CV again. How has Robert formulated the following information in more appropriate
language ?

1. I sometimes phoned people in Germany.

2. I’m good with computers.

3. I was the contact for the removal company for the transfer to new offices.

4. I gave some colleagues some English lessons.

5. I spoke on behalf of 400 students in meetings with teachers.

6. I was the general assistant to the computer consultants.

7. I sold tents.

8. I had to learn how to set up a LAN.

9. I’m the only member of the team who believes we can win.

10. My job was to introduce the speakers and thank them at the end.

Listening comprehension

Watch the video and answer the following questions :

1. What is the first thing people should do when they are about to write their CV ? Why ?

2. Which skills should you focus on ? Why ?

3. Which look should you adopt for your CV ?

4. What are the four main parts you should include in your CV ? Give as much information as
possible.
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Ordering and reformulating

Using the headings in both the video and in Robert Khan’s CV as a model, decide where to put each
piece of information below. Then write the CV, presenting the information appropriately and using
relevant language and expressions.
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Here’s a list of adjective you can use to write your CV

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Translation

Français langue maternelle :

Allemand bilingue :
Anglais courant :
Notions d’espagnol :
Diplôme obtenu avec mention :
Type de poste recherché :

Don’t forget !

For each job you mention in your CV, answer the following questions :
- What sort of company is it ?
- What needed to be done ?
- What did you do ? Why ? How ?
- What happened as a result ?