Writing a Successful CV
General Guidance
Here you will find a series of top tips to improve your skills in the presentation of your CV, which will help your application to succeed. This is not the definitive guide, but merely acts as a prompt if you need it.
It is advisable to tailor at least your covering letter, and possibly your CV, to each position and employer.
CURRICULUM VITAE (CV)
We have a standard CV template available as a download in this section. We encourage you to use and adapt it. It is clear and accessible but not gimmicky. If you already have your own CV, please feel free to use that instead.
Presentation Guidelines
- Your CV must be neatly typed and clearly laid out. Use a reasonable sized font and don't be overly creative with the formatting - it will only distract from the real focus of the document, which is you. The two most popular fonts are Times New Roman and Arial or variants.
- Write in good, clear English, and don't forget to check your grammar and spelling. Twice.
- Include your name and contact details at the top, with daytime and evening phone numbers and an e-mail address.
- Lay out your prior jobs in reverse chronological order, with your most recent role at the top. Dates are best tabulated on the left hand side.
Please explain any gaps in your career or educational history. - The length of your CV will depend on you and your achievements - but don't pad it out! Two to three pages is usually about right. The trick is to be concise, but not incomplete. If you have significant publications, etc., add them as separate sheets.
- Remember, the person reading your CV may not be familiar with your specific credentials and areas of specialty, so avoid using any jargon or initials. Ask friends from different backgrounds to read it for you.
- Make sure that you have your name on every page in either the header or footer. It is also useful to show page numbers and, perhaps, the date.
Send your application as a Word document (or a pdf if you have access to the programme). - Finally, please put your name as the file name - e.g. "Hazel Douglas CV.doc" - and include the job title and any reference number in the subject line of your e-mail.
Education
We prefer to see details of tertiary education first. Include your degree subject/masters, university, degree grades, and any major prizes or awards. Specify key dates.
For your secondary education, it is important that you provide details of your results in the final two year subjects (e.g., 'A' levels, baccalaureate grades). If you have studied abroad, include your original results, and do not try to translate them into the local equivalent. If you do have academic transcripts, it might be useful to include these in your application.
Work experience
Detail the time frame of your experience. Emphasise your main achievements in each major role over and above your key responsibilities. Describe unique skills and experiences.
In our field, it is useful to indicate the countries in which you have worked.Teamwork and Leadership roles
Do include leadership activities and significant participation in sports, games, societies or hobbies, especially if you are relatively new to working life. For example, a high level of achievement in a sport or music, etc., does tell us something about your drive and aspiration. Equally other relevant achievements are important to note. Be candid, but keep it relevant.
Other activities
We are interested in any voluntary or charity work, or positions of responsibility in professional bodies - particularly where they demonstrate leadership, initiative or extraordinary commitment.
Languages
Include any foreign languages for which you have business/conversational ability or better, and indicate your ability in writing & speaking.
Your applications should also include the following:
- A completed Oxford HR cover sheet (
download),
- A short application letter or personal statement that clearly indicates how your skills and experience match the criteria the employer has indicated are essential to be a successful candidate.
Tips to help you write your covering letter are provided on "Writing a covering letter", while further information on referees is offered on "Guidelines to applicants". All our advice regarding covering letters and CVs can also be found in: