A useful way to start a self-analysis and to identify your skills and abilities whilst you are at university is to put together curriculum vitae (CV) and keep it up to date.
A CV is a resume or outline your education and professional history , containing details of your skills and experiences, and it is usually prepared for job applications.

Pay attention to these points when you want write a CV:

- Keep the layout simple
- Focus the content on the needs of company
- Detail the contribution you made to meeting the needs of previous employers
- Ensure that you understand the nature of the job you are applying for so that you can mould your CV according to the job you are aiming for


Component parts of a CV :

1. Basic information

This section should contain basic information about yourself such as:
- Name
- Address (permanent and term time if appropriate), including the postcode.
- Telephone number (home, mobile and work where appropriate, but make sure it is evident which is which), including the national possibly the international dialling code.
- E-mail address (if you include this, remember to check your e-mail regularly).

Remember!
This section only includes personal information that is relevant to your objective or application.

2. Career objective

This section is objective and it is a one – or – two sentences about your career goals and should describe the focus of your job search.
A well- written objective will indicate the type of work, the level at which you wish to work, the sort of organisation in which you are seeking work, and the skills and abilities you wish to utilise. The objective should provide a sense of direction, indicating that you know what you want and where you are going.

3. Education

This section should contain basic information about your education such as:

- The name of the educational institute attended
- Date of attendance
- Qualification gained
- Field in which qualification achieved (e.g. business studies)
- The year in which the qualification was confirmed

*A brief summary of any short courses you have attend and any study abroad programmes may also be included here.

*If your education relates to your objective and is within the last 3 years, it should be the first section; if not, it should follow the work experience section.


4. Employment history /work experience

Details to include:

- The dates of employment
- Job title or position
- Name of employer
- Location of employer
- Responsibilities or major duties. Keep these brief and put them in order of relative value to a future employer. You could also highlight any transferable skills that you used or developed.


5. Skills


6. Achievements

- Academic, e.g. winner of student of the year prize
- Professional, e.g. chair of local women in management group
- Community, e.g. scout leader
- Sporting, e.g. represent the county at tennis

7. Interests and activities