Summary of Writing Professional Letters and CVs

## Introduction Professional documents help showcase your skills, experience, and qualifications in a professional format. This resource primarily focuses on the **Curriculum Vitae (CV)** and associated practical advice for high school students. The aim is to learn what to include in a CV, how to structure information, and what mistakes to avoid. ## What is a CV? > A CV (curriculum vitae) is a document summarizing your education, work experience, and skills. ### Why do we write a CV? - When applying for a job or part-time position - When applying for an internship or to school - When contacting potential employers or networking ## Basic CV Structure 1. **Contact Details** * Name, phone, email, optional address 2. **Education** * School name, field of study, years attended 3. **Work Experience** * Job title, company name, dates of employment, brief description of responsibilities 4. **Skills** * Language, computer, communication skills 5. **Additional Information** * Courses, certifications, volunteering, hobbies (if relevant) > Good advice: Your CV should be clear, truthful, and concise. Typically 1-2 pages. ## Detailed Guide to Each Section ### Contact Information - Provide your current email and phone number. - Avoid informal email addresses; a format like firstname.lastname@domain.com is better. ### Education - List schools in reverse chronological order (most recent or current first). - Include relevant coursework or academic projects, especially if they relate to the position. ### Work Experience - For each experience, include: your position, company/organization name, months/years, and 2–4 concise bullet points describing your responsibilities and achievements. - Use active verbs (e.g., organized, led, helped improve...). ### Skills - Language skills: state your proficiency level (e.g., A1–C2 or basic/intermediate/advanced). - Computer skills: list specific software or technologies. ### Interests and Hobbies - Only include those that demonstrate positive qualities (e.g., teamwork, creativity, responsibility). - Avoid adding overly personal or controversial information. ## Practical Examples ### Sample Contact Information - John Smith - Phone: +420 777 123 456 - Email: john.smith@email.com ### Sample Work Experience Entry - Library Assistant, City Library, 07/2023–08/2023 - Assisted with book check-outs and record-keeping - Enhanced visitor navigation with clear shelf labeling ## Table: CV vs. Cover Letter | Document | Main Purpose | Content | Length | |---|---:|---|---:| | CV | Summary of qualifications | Education, experience, skills | 1–2 pages | | Cover Letter | Explain why you want the job | Personal rationale, motivation | 1 page | ## What to Emphasize and What to Avoid - Emphasize: relevant skills, measurable results, practical experience - Avoid: lies, overly long texts, irrelevant information Did you know that many employers spend just 6–10 seconds quickly scanning a CV during the first read? That's why it's important to make a good first impression quickly. ## Practical Tips - Tailor your CV to the specific position — highlight what's relevant - Use a readable font and clear sections - Ask someone else to review it (spelling, logic)