Curriculum Vitae (CV)

&
Cover letter

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 Curriculum Vitae
Definition of CV?

It is a special kind of autobiography which gives a short written account of your career , qualifications ,
skills, experience and achievements. It is used in recruitment and it allows a potential employer to quickly
see a board outline of a candidate.
 Curriculum vitae “CV” = Life story (Latin)
used in Europe A curriculum vitae is a written
description of your work experience,
 Resume = Summary (French) educational background, and skills
used in USA
 ‫ = السيرة الذاتية‬Arabic
used in the Arab world

Why is the CV?

 Passport to new opportunities by calling for interviews:

o Phone interview
o Formal interview
o Informational meeting
o Send Application form
 For studying issues
 For networking

Types of CV’s:

 Chronological CV: relative experience is essential.

 Functional CV: skills and achievements are essentials. For non experienced.
 One-page summary CV: for very famous individuals or professors.

CV Parts:

 Personal data - Essential

CV
 Objective
 Educational achievements - Essential
 Training and certificates - Essential
 Work experience - Essential
 Skills
 Interests and activities
 References / Referees

Personal Data:

 Full name
 Full address
 Alternative contacts if not available
 Many phone numbers : mobile, home, …
 Personal email
 Age or birthday
 Photograph ( new and good one)
 Marital status, if not relevant then state your interest although these special needs of the position.

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Objective:

 Put one only if you have one

 Focused objective is an invitation to help
 Build your objective based on your priorities (essential-desirable):
o Culture
o Place of work
o Job functions
 Use careers highs and lows to identify your priorities.

Career highs and Career Lows Example:

Graduate with First job with real Fantastic new job, real promotion
a good degree responsibilities with new challenges
High

Unhappy
within highly
Enjoyment Rating

competitive
environment

Success in
temporary jobs with
no progress Not motivated due to office policy
Low
94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 Years

Some objectives examples:

 Seeking for an interview to discuss the suitability of my qualification, skills, and experience for
employment in an opening in your organization. (general)
 To obtain a position as an assistant editor and contribute strong written communication skills, relevant
education, and experience in the field
 An entry – level sale positions leading to sales or marketing management in the area of advertising or
product management
 Position in the field of mechanical engineering with special interest in computer – aided design and
engineering

Educational achievements:

 Three main data (When, What, Where) did you get the qualifications
 List them in reverse chronological order
 Start with the most recent and the most relevant, and give more details about them
 Include any citations you have gained
 Write the names of the relevant courses and put your grade if it was a good one.
 Talk about your achievements in the senior project
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Courses and Training:

 Write about your professional and personal development ( formal and informal training)
 Going through courses and training :
o Show you are initiative
o Develop your skills
o Expand your network
o Beneficial for future investment

Experience:

 Use the past tense for past experience and the present tense for current experience.
 Write your achievements based on your job description

Event Quantify Outcome

 Add the old employer details and generalize your job title with brief description

Example:

 Group the roles belong to a certain company. Example:

2000-2003 XYZ company
2000-2002 Role 1
2002-2003 Role 2
 Group the experiences that have similar features or skills
 Mention the temporary works, it shows wide experience, commitment, involvement in different
environments.

Transferable Skills:

 Lies behind things you enjoy doing

 Ask for others opinion about the skills you have.
 Seek for the required skills (employability skills) and develop them.
 Support your skills part with evidence from your achievements and experience that is ended with
good results.

Interests and activities:

 Paint the picture of yourself to the reader

 Examples:
o Sports suggest an active person.
o Pursuit like reading, archaeology indicate enquiring mind.
o Penchant for DIY show you’re practical.
o Painting and music suggest creativity.
o Fishing shows patience, resilience

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References / Referees :

 Take their permission

 Select relative , good references
 Minimum 2
 Select from deferent areas of life
 Write their details: name, title, place of work, contacts.
 Delete from CV to save space but mention they are available upon requested.

CV Layout:

 Headings: maximum size is 16

 Body: minimum size is 10
 Examples:

Classic,
elegant, Hard to
maturity scan

Time Roman
Times Roman Italic
Good for
picking Times Roman Bold
headings and Arial
dates Extremely
user friendly

 Use bullets not paragraphs (easier to scan)

 Use black color only
 A4 paper size with light background
 High quality of paper and envelops
 Templates could be modified
 Minimize the number of levels and headings
 Do a quality control ( career counseling office)

CV Tips:

 CV’s are different, but principles of a good CV are the same.

 Don’t mistake any spelling or use trite phrases or stiff language
 Average length is 1 to 2 pages for fresh graduates
 Positive attitude is the greatest asset.
 Tailor the CV on the reader needs.
 Flexibility is a must
 Readable for different readers perception.
 Tell the achievements not the responsibilities or job description.
 Make sure that all the information written in the CV are correct
 Order the information by starting from the essential for the reader to the additional one. (emphasis
on relative information)
 Use the positive action words without repetition.
 Don’t use (me, I, my). You will seem like over confident
 Don’t include height , weight , religion , health or gender.
 Don’t send a resume without a personalized cover letter
 Reply to the post if you exceed %80 of requirements
 Emailed or faxed resumes must be followed with a hard copy sent by mail or by hand
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  Don’t include reasons of leaving a job or a salary requirements
 Summary or profile is accepted for experience graduates and it is written in a paragraph style.

Conveying a message:

Good quality paper and Business like and

pleasing layout organized

Easy, readable style with Good communication and

good English writing skills

Communicate complicated subjects

simply Concise thinker

No spelling mistakes Good attention to details

Select relevant career and personal Good Judgment

information

Include appropriate qualifications and

experience Qualified to do the job

CV Dispatching:

 Career Counseling Office

 Careers fairs
 Recruitment agencies / companies
 Recruitment websites
 Newspaper advertisements
 Networking activities
 Applications

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 Cover Letter

17 Aug 2005

Mr. Dawood Ali Mattar

Director of Recruiting and development
Bahrain Build Construction Company
P.O Box: 0000
Manama – Bahrain

Dear Mr. Dawood

I read your company’s description in XYZ engineering magazine , and I would like to inquire about
employment opportunities in your civil engineering department. I want to work in civil
engineering and would like to remain in this field for my graduate education.

I shall receive my B.Sc. degree in civil engineering this September. My interest in engineering
started in high school when I attended the student introduction to engineering program at
University of Bahrain. The interest further developed through a variety of construction jobs
during college. My internship with ABC construction company convince me to pursue this field.
When I researched the top constructions firms in Bahrain ,” Bahrain Build Construction Company
“ emerge as having a strong market position, an excellent training program, and a solid
reputation. In short, you provide the kind of professional environment I seek.

My resume is enclosed for your consideration, my education and experience match the
qualifications you seek , but they don’t tell the whole story. I know from supervisor feedback that
I have the technical and interpersonal skills you seek. My relatively extensive experience gives
me confidence in my career direction and in my abilities to perform competently.

I know you must have many demands on your time, but I would appreciate a few minutes of your
time. I shall call you during the week of October 1st to discuss employment possibilities. In the
meantime, if you need to contact me, my number is 12345678 and my email is
[email protected].

Thank you very much for considering my request. I look forward to talking with you.

Sincerely,

Adnan Saeed
Adnan Saeed
P.O Box: 000

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 Cover letter sample

Mr/Mrs/Ms ( name)
Title
Company name
Address

Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms ( name)

Paragraph (1) : come to the point , reveal your purpose and interest. State the
reason behind this letter by writing your career objectives. Identify the position
and your source of information. Introduce your themes

Paragraph (2): outline your strongest qualifications that match the position
requirements based on the themes you selected. As much as possible, provide
evidence of your related experience and accomplishments. Make reference to
your enclose resume.

Paragraph (3): make positive statements about your skills and abilities. Do some
personal marketing , convince the employer that you have the personal qualities
and motivation to contribute to the organization.

Paragraph (4): suggest an action plan. Give a specific request. Give an

approximate time interval that you will be contacting the company for discussing
the possibility of having an interview for any future employment opportunities.

Closing: express appreciation to the reader for his or her time and consideration

Sincerely,

(hand written signature)

type your name
type your address

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 Resume of:
Mohammed Ali Abdulla Saeed

Contacts 12345678 – 14725836  Fax 15975321  P.O Box 000 – Manama

Email [email protected]  Road 11, House 12 , Manama 13
Personal Information
Bahraini  Single  Born in 24th May 1980 CPR No.: 3333333 Passport No.: 111111 Single

Objective
Seeking for an interview to obtain an entery-level position in the Computer Engineering field. Or, any other field
that will enhance my career and suites my qualifications and skills

Educational Qualification
University of Bahrain Sakheer , Bahrain
B.Sc. in Computer Engineering (GPA 3.98) [2000 - 2004]

Bahrain Training Institue Isa Town , Bahrain

Diploma in Electronics Engineering [1998 - 2000]

Al Hedaya Secondary School Muharraque , Bahrain

Secondary Certificate , Science [1995-1998]
Work Experience
Bahrain Business Machine Manama , Bahrain
Network Technician [Season Sep-Dec 2004]
 Provided a single point of contract for all end-users for network assistance
 Resolved technical problems
 Worked with others to determine the problem and implementing a solution
 Upgraded computer software
 Sat up and maintain the servers on which the company's internal applications run
 Contended with server migrations, download times, and site crashes in the virtual space driven by databases.

MultiTech Information Technology Juffair , Bahrain

Trainee as lab assistant
IT Training Department [Apr – Sept 2003]
 Provided hardware and software assistantce to lab users
 Replenished supplies as needed
 Enforced computer lab policies
 Helped promote events
 Updated database with new inforamtion
Competencies
• Hardware: signal generator, digital multimeter, breadboard,, DC/AC voltage
• Software: AutoCad, C++, Microsoft Office, Visual Basic 6.0, .Net, Java Scripts
• Languages: Arabic (mother tongue), English (Excellent), French (little)
• Interpersonal: Motivated, Intiative, excellent communicator and team worker, many leadership positions in the
university’s societies and clubs

Achievements
• Dean’s Honor List every semester
• Best senior project award “ Neural Networks Application”
• Head of Music Club (2002) , IT Society (2004) in the university
• Honor award from BBM for developing a network solution
Interests and activities
Playing music, sports and body building, reading IT journals, chess , member in the Bahrain IT Society
Refrence
Ahmed Abdulla Ali General Manager XYZ Company Contact: 39xxxxxx – 17xxxxxx
Dr. Mohammed Ali Assistant Professor University of Bahrain Contact: 17xxxxxx Email: [email protected]

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 HOUSE 0000 , ROAD 000, BLOCK 000 KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN
PHONE (973) 3XXXXXXX , E-MAIL [email protected]

Mahmood Ali Abdulla

Personal Information
Nationality: Bahraini
Date Of birth: 07th July 1986
C.P.R No: 86xxxxxx
Passport No.: xxxxxxxx
Marital Status: Single

Job Objective
To build a long term career in your profession opportunities for career growth.

Educations
2004- 2009 University of Bahrain B.Sc. in Accounting (GPA 3.5)
2001-2004 Omima Bent Al Noman Secondary School Commercial Certificate (97.1%)

Experience
01Nov -31 Dec 2010 Customer Services Assistance Royal & Sun Alliance
06Dec 2009 -01 Sept 2010 Financial Planning Consultant Legal & General Gulf Takaful
21June – 30 Sep 2009 Customer Services Represntive Khaleeji Commercial Bank
(Wealth Management Department)
01 July – 31Aug 2008 Trainee Kuwait Finance House
(Operation Department)
02 July – 31Aug 2006 Audit Assistant (Summer Job) BDO Jawad Habib

Certificates
25-27 Jun 2009 BIBF Selling Skills Course
21-23 Dec 2008 University of Bahrain Business Symposium (Islamic Bank)
28-30 Apr 2008 University of Bahrain Architecture Forum (Isa Town)
Apr 2008 Crown Plaza Hotel International Conference on
Business
Globalization (Challenges &
Opportunities)
Jul – Aug 2004 Court of Crown Prince Bahrain Leadership and
Development
Course
24Jul –9Sep 2004 Bahrain Training Institute Bookkeeping
02-09 Jul 2003 Ministry of Labors Training in Stument & Social Affairs

Skills
MS Excel, MS Word & MS PowerPoint.
Analytical/Research Skills.
Communication skills.
Team Working

Interests
Reading, cooking, computer and Internet browsing

Languages Proficiency
Arabic, English
References
References are available upon request

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CURRICULUM VIATE
HANAN HASSAN ALI
Contact: 36xxxxxxx – 17xxxxxxx
E-mail: [email protected]
Address: House No. 0000 Road No. 0000 Block NO. 000 Kingdom of Bahrain

Personal Information
Date of Birth: 25th April 1987 Marital Status: Single
CPR No.: 87xxxxxxxx Passport No.: xxxxxxx
Nationality: Bahraini

Objective
To work in a challenging environment where I can prove to be a valuable asset to the organization and its
profitability.

Educational Qualification
 2005-To Present University of Bahrain
B.Sc in Business Information Systems (GPA: 3.2)

 2003 – 2005 Manama Secondary School

Secondary Certificate ( Commercial) (GPA 91%)
Certificates
 January 24th – 28th 2010 Participated in Entrepreneurship Orientation Program
Bahrain Development Bank
 November 4th 2009 Participated in the third IT Symposium
University of Bahrain
 December 2008 Participated in organizing the third Business Symposium
University of Bahrain
 November 2008 Participated in the second IT Symposium
University of Bahrain
Work Experience
 5th January – 15th February 2005 Bahrain Investors Canter (BIC) - Ministry of Trade
Training
 1 July-31 August 2009
st
Ministry of Justices
Summer Job
Skills
 Fluent in spoken & written Arabic and English.
 Self-improvement and management skill.
 Good communication skills and effective team builder.
 Always looking for challenging tasks to accomplish.
 Ability to work under pressures and meeting the deadlines.

Computer Skills
 Using MS Access, MS Word and MS Power Point
 Using Macromedia Flash 8, Prolog, Visual Basic.Net, Camtasia Studio and SQL Plus.
 also been taking computer programming courses using C++ language (Introduction to Computers &
IT, Computer Programming, Data structures)
 Introduction to networking and Systems analysis and design as a part of my major

Reference:
Dr. Ameen Ahmed Assistant Professor University of Bahrain Contact: 1743xxxxxx –
39xxxxxx
Mr. Kareem Mohsen HR Officer Manama Company Contact: 17xxxxxxxx -
39xxxxxx
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 CURRICULIM VITAE
Abdulla A.Aziz Said
Villa 000, Sheikh Isa Avenue, Muharraq 216
Mobile: 39xxxxxx
Home: 17xxxxxx
E-mail: [email protected]

Personal Information
Nationality: Bahraini
Place of Birth: Muharraq, Bahrain
Date of Birth: December 1st, 1988
Material Status: Single
CPR Number: 88xxxxxx

Objective
To use my education and skills in the best possible way for achieving the company’s goals.
Education
 2006 - 2009 University of Bahrain
Associated Diploma in Information System
 2003 - 2006 Isteqlal Secondary School
Secondary Certificate - Commercial Studies

Experience
Training
1st July 2008 – 28th February 2009 Nice House Contracting Establishment, Bahrain
Secretary Trainee

Knowledge & Skills

Languages
 Arabic: Native
 English: Excellent level speaking and writing
 Persian: Excellent level speaking and writing

Computing Skills
 Excellent Microsoft Office package including Microsoft Project, Publisher, FrontPage and Visio.
 SPSS statistics program
 Adobe Photoshop
 HTML language
 Basics of C++ language
Other Skills
 Excellent computer and Internet skills
 Quick learner
 Punctual and handle job pressure
 Good abilities in problem solving and analysis
 Work well in both team environments and individual assignments
 Full, clean driving license

Interests
*Computer and Internet surfing *Reading
*Sports - Squash and Swimming *Travelling and Discovery trips

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Curriculum
Vitae Marwa Ahmed Ali
Address House 000, Road 000,
Block 000 Manama – Kingdom of Bahrain
Contact No 3xxxxxxx – 3xxxxxxx
CPR No 800000000
Date of Birth 2nd, April 1988
Nationality Bahraini
Email [email protected]
_________________________________________

EDUCATION
2006–2010 Bachelor of Science in. Computer Engineering - University of Bahrain

2003-2006 Secondary Certificates (Science) - Jidhafs secondary girl's school, (94.3%)

WORKING EXPERIENCE
Jul. – Aug. 2010 Trainee – Support Computer & Maintenance Section
Ministry Of Works

PARTICIPATIONS
2007 A member of the College of IT Society University of Bahrain

2006 Participated in Jaber Ben Hayan chemistry competition Science week

Jidhafs secondary girl's school

LANGUAGES KNOWN
Languages Speaking Reading Writing
Arabic   
English   

HOBBIES
- Participating in educational, scientific and public forums and meetings
- Reading cultural books

OTHER SKILLS
- Experienced with several systems: Windows and Linux.
- Good at development: C++, Oracle, SQL, HTML and Java Scripting, Object Oriented Java and VHDL
- Excellent command over MS office application
- Fully capable of using Internet
- Effectively with other staff colleagues.
- Interpersonal and communication skills
- Able to handle work under pressure.
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 CV SKILLS HINT
before writing the skills part in your CV , study the job you’re applying for well and
compare the required skills with the ones you have.

Some of the skills you’ve to acquire ( check all the below)

 Administering programs  Promoting events
 Analyzing data  Public speaking
 Advising people  Recordkeeping
 Budgeting  Rehabilitating others
 Calculating numerical data  Repairing mechanical devices
 Collecting money  Researching
 Conducting experiments  Running meetings
 Coordinating events  Scheduling
 Dealing with customers  Selling products
 Designing ads  Supervising others
 Drawing charts / graphs  Teaching others
 Editing  Updating files
 Evaluating programs  Using computers
 Fundraising o IBM
 Generating ideas o Macintosh
 Handling complains o Mainframes
 Implementing ideas o Unix
 Inspecting physical objects o Others
 Interpreting languages  Using software
 Interviewing people o MS word
 Investigating problems o MS Excel
 Making presentations o MS Access
 Mediating between people o MS front page
 Operating equipments o MS publisher
 Organizing people / projects / tasks o MS power point
 Persuading others o Spread sheet
 Planning programs / projects o Windows
 Problem solving 14 o Others
 Programming computers  Writing articles / reports
 Action Word List
Effective action words used in a resume to identify skills, and situations of initiative, solving
problems, managing situations, and achieving goals.

Accomplished Delivered Installed Recorded

Achieved Derived Instigated Recruited
Acted Demonstrated Instructed Reduced
Adapted Designed Introduced Regulated
Adjusted Determined Invented Reinforced
fgklfgffgfg
Administered Developed Investigated Reorganized
Advised Diagnosed Kept Repaired
Analyzed Directed Launched Resolved
Applied Drew up Led Reviewed
Appraised Drilled Maintained Revised
Approved Drove Managed Scheduled
Arranged Edited Mediated Screened
Assembled Eliminated Monitored Sculpted
Assisted Enabled Negotiated Secured
Balanced Enforced Notified Selected
Billed Engaged Observed Served
Blasted Engineered Obtained Serviced
Bought Entertained Opened Set criteria
Bound Established Operated Set up
Briefed Evaluated Ordered Shipped
Built
Examined Organized Sold
Cared for
Exceeded Originated Solved
Carried out
Expanded Packed Solved
Clarified
Expedited Participated Streamlined
Cleaned
Facilitated Perceived Structured
Coached
Farmed Performed Summarized
Combined
Fashioned Pioneered Supervised
Communicated
Filed Planned Supported
Compiled
Forecasted Prepared Surveyed
Composed
Formed Presented Taught
Computed
Formulated Processed Teamed with
Conducted
Gathered Produced Tested
Constructed
Generated Programmed Trained
Contracted
Guided Promoted Translated
Controlled
Headed Proposed Tuned
Cooked
Identified Provided Tutored
Coordinated
Illustrated Publicized Typed
Created
Improved Published Trimmed
Cultivated
Cut Improvised Punched Updated
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