Section A
Can You Write a Curriculum Vitae?
A.l    The Before Version of a CV
What is wrong with this CV? Study the opinions of a professional CV miter who has added the notes J-11 on the right. Locate them in the text (A-K) and compare results with your partner.
before
CURRICULUM VITAE Name:  Angela Nadia Other
Address: 14 Newton St Desford
Worcestershire W04 2LZ Tel. 456789 ___
Date of birth:
Age:
Education 1982- 1989 1989- 1992
Qualifications 8 "0" levels
1/1/71 22
B
Desford Community High School University of Sussex
- English language (A), English literature (8), Maths (A), Biology {A), Chemistry {A). History (C), French (B), Technical Drawing (B).
- Biology (A), Chemistry (C), Maths (C).
3 'A' levels Degree in Biological Sciences - Class II (ii) Passable French; some computer literacy
Work experience
1985- 1986    Local paper round every morning _
1989           Voluntary work in a local experimental laboratory" (Desford Chemical Services) Bar work, waitressing etc. __E
-D
1990
1991
Sept 1992 -Feb 1993
at the Open Golf Tournament and Wimbledon Waitressing at the Blackfriars Cafe, Desford Casual work with Desford Chemical Services; three/four days per week; general assistance in the laboratories ...
Activities at school and college School prefect
Captain of school netball tear University representative in netball College entertainments officer 1990-1991 Secretary of college section of Friends of the Earth
Interests —"G
Keep fit, reading, trarffeTTsociaiising
References Mr J Smith Head of Biology
Desford Community High School Desford
Worcestershire W04 5TD
1.
Be careful: this could imply restlessness
If you have mentioned your date of birth, your age will be obvious to the recipient_
3.
Reconsider including this fact if you are applying to a very conservative company. You don't want to be labelled a "hippie" before you even arrive.
include grades only if they are exceptional.
5. I State whenľ
This sounds weak - be more specific._
7.  Never use etc.
8.  Too trivial.
9.
What about the area code?
10. I So what?
11. 1 Irrelevant by now.
Mrs F Sanders Manageress Blackfriars Cafe Desford
Worcestershire W04 4FT
from COSMOPOLITAN June, 1993, The National Magazine Co. Ltd.
EST/ 109
7) Which of the following items should be avoided unless requested?
Marital status Gender
Details of referees if they have been asked for Number or ages of children Photograph Health details Nationality-Salaries earned or expected Putting a date on your CV Giving your reasons for leaving previous positions Politics Religion
8) The Curriculum Vitae in Different Countries
a. The United Kingdom
The CV is short, maximum two pages, but the tendency is to shorten the CV to one page. You start with your personal details, but leave out your place of birth, your civil status and religion. Since UK companies generally attach less importance to the candidate's civil status than in most Continental European countries, this allows space for a list of hobbies and sporting pursuits. It is customary to give the contact details of two references at the end of your CV, most British employers will contact them. Use 'power words' to describe your personal- skills in your CV, such as contributed, organised, demonstrated. For the format of your CV you can choose between a reversed chronological CV (most recent activity first) or a functional CV (activities grouped thematically). The functional CV is getting more and more common, since it allows you to strengthen certain skills and experience.
According to the article, decide whether the following statements are true (T) or False (F).
1. British CVs tend to be very short, usually less than one page. (T/F)
2. In the greater part of Europe employers are more interested in the candidate's civil status than in UK. (T/F)
3. Majority of UK employers often gets in touch with people mentioned in references.
(T/F)
4. Personal skills should be presented in a clear and self-confident manner. (T/F)
DO
Job application, CV, 2008
4
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b. The Czech Republic
Use one of the following expressions of the similar meaning to replace each of the expressions in bold print in the following text.
with regard io    describe       mention       exactly        to      usually direct obtained native heading       including     interest       strict    in detail
The CV is normally chronological. It should be brief, clear and structured, one or two page at the most. As far as your education is concerned you should chronologically mention all qualifications and diplomas achieved. Specify precisely when, where and what (give the name of the University) you have studied (specify the discipline).Language skills should be given in depth; mention your mother tongue and explain your level of fluency for the other languages. Under the title 'work experience' you have to mention all your practical experience, with all information on your knowledge and your skills that might attract the attention of a future employer. Sometimes references are given in the CV, but no stringent rules apply here.
c. Germany
Fill in the gaps with the following words:
followed by   style   order   attached with       Hobbies ersonal relevantjfor hand        birth corner boasting
The German CV is always in strict chronological_with a photo (put your
details on the back of the picture) _a paper clip to the top right
_corner. Sign your CV on the bottom right, opposite the date in the
left_. Mind your _ of writing; poetic descriptions and
_is not appreciated in Germany. Start with your_details
(name, address, telephone, place and date of_, civil status),_
your education including the results and work experience. _ are only
mentioned when_the job.
5
d. France
Use one of the following expressions of the opposite meaning to replace each of the expressions in bold print in the following text.
education in detail obtained several most have to birth omit precise brief at the most   usually   in line with    highest includes
The French CV is either reversed chronological (least recent activity first) or functional (activities grouped thematically). What ever style you choose, the CV should be long and direct, one to two pages at the minimum. In personal details you rarely give your age, instead of your date of death and you also include your place of birth. With regard to illiteracy you only mention the lowest diplomas you have lost. Language skills should be given in general. Under work experience you cannot mention the exact job description and the responsibilities you have had. Often a French CV misses a Trojet Professionel'. This is a rather vague description in a few lines of what you hope to achieve, in spite of your education and skills, in your career in a period of m any years.
d. France
Use one of the following expressions of the opposite meaning to replace each of the expressions in bold print in the following text.
education in detail obtained several most have to birth omit precise brief at the most   usually   in line with    highest includes
The French CV is either reversed chronological (least recent activity first) or functional (activities grouped thematically). What ever style you choose, the CV should be long and direct, one to two pages at the minimum. In personal details you rarely give your age, instead of your date of death and you also include your place of birth. With regard to illiteracy you only mention the lowest diplomas you have lost. Language skills should be given in general. Under work experience you cannot mention the exact job description and the responsibilities you have had. Often a French CV misses a 'Projet Professions'. This is a rather vague description in a few lines of what you hope to achieve, in spite of your education and skills, in your career in a period of many years.
9) Grammar Past Simple vs. Present Perfect
Put the verb into the correct form, present perfect or past simple.
1. Do you know about Ann? She_her job. (give up)
2. My boss_me and now I am in charge of the whole department.
(promote)
3. When Paul and Mark left school they_a job in a local travel agency.
(apply for)
4. It_doing quite a lot of paperwork so I quit two weeks ago. (involve)
5. I_training street workers last year but this year I have to deal with team
building, (be responsible for)
6. Do you know that he is unemployed? They__him. (sack)
7. Finally! They_! What a great piece of news! (resign)
8. Meg_looking for a new job with a bigger company last week, (start)
9. They_enough of this shiftwork, they would like to have flexi-time.
(have)
10. Pete and Steve _at work yeasterday. I wonder why! (be)
Job application, CV, 2008