1. How to write
a Successful CV
by BC Chew
on 19/11/2013

3. Why CV is Important?
1. It is a record about you!
2. Your CV has ONLY ONE chance to
impress
your employer(s), with the purposes
to get yourself a chance for:
-further communication,
-called for a job interview
and finally being recruited.

4. CV is Used to:
•
•
•
•
MARKET yourself to your employer(s).
STAND out from the crowd.
MATCH yourself to the job specifications.
SELL your
qualifications, knowledge, skills, qualities,
experiences and achievements.

5. Links
Please follow these links:
1. How to write a successful CV
http://www.academia.edu/3196281/How_to_
Write_a_Successful_CV
2. How to write a cover letter
http://www.academia.edu/3523567/How_to_
Write_a_Cover_Letter

6. Understand the Job and the Company
• Research the job and the company:
-The company history
-The company vision/mission/core values
-The company business
-The names of the top management executives
-The job requirements

7. You can add in…
• Your hobbies/interests. Relate this to “Skills and
Abilities”.
• The charitable/voluntary activities you took part
and put this at “Extra-Curricular Activities (ECA)”.
Your hobbies/interests and charitable/voluntary
activities should give ideas of what kind of person
you are. Keep in mind what job you are applying for,
and think what would be interesting for your
employer(s) to know about you.

8. Express Your Achievements:
-E.g. Customer Service
My work as a sales assistant has helped me
to improve my customer services skills, in
particular dealing with customers with
disabilities in a professional manner.
*paragraph or in bullet form(s)

9. Skills Map
Source: Wiggins, A. and Smith, N. 2013.

10. Power Words Used to Describe Yourself
Active/Aggressive
Ambitious
Attentive
Calm
Caring
Cheerful
Committed
Confident
Considerate
Conscientious
Consistent
Creative
Dependable
Determined
Detail-oriented
Diligent
Diplomatic
Dynamic
Eager
Ethical
Energetic
Enterprising
Enthusiastic
Experienced
Flexible/Adaptable
Focused
Friendly
Goal-oriented
Hard-working
Honest
Imaginative
Independent
Industrious
Innovative
Leader
Loyal
Methodical
Multi-tasker
Motivated
Organised
Passionate
Persistent
Practical
Proactive
Productive
Professional
Punctual
Reliable
Resolute
Realistic
Responsible
Responsive
Self-starter
Sincere
Skilful
Strategic
Steadfast
Studious
Thoughtful
Trustworthy
Team-player
Warm

11. Power Words Used to Explain Your
Experience and Achievements
Assisted
Able
Action
Analysis
Achieved
Accomplished
Advanced
Conducted
Consulted
Completed
Conducted
Contributed
Coordinated
Delegated
Developed
Delivered
Designed
Defined
Diversified
Directed
Distinguished
Encouraged
Earned
Enhanced
Evaluated
Examined
Facilitated
Formulated
Fulfilled
Forecasted
Generated
Gained
Gathered
Gave
Helped
Hosted
Increased
Identified
Implemented
Improved/Improvised
Influenced
Launched
Maintained
Managed
Marketed
Maximized
Mediated
Modernized
Motivated
Source: TG, 2013.
Negotiated
Observed
Obtained
Operated
Organized
Originated
Overhauled
Oversaw
Participated
Performed
Pioneered
Planned
Prepared
Presented
Promoted
Provided
Published
Pursued
Quantified
Received
Recommended
Redesigned
Reengineered
Reorganized
Represented
Resolved
Restructured
Revised
Safeguarded
Secured
Selected
Specified
Spearheaded
Standardized
Strengthened
Structured
Suggested
Superseded
Supervised
Targeted
Taught
Tested
Trained
Transcended
Unified
Upgraded
Utilized
Validated
Valued
Wrote

12. Tips
• Tailor the CV to the requirements of each job
you applying for.
• Make it clear to the employer that you are the
right person for the job.
• Neat and professional looking, to the best
standard you can achieve in content and
layout.

13. Tips
• Be concise, 2 pages are enough (be selective
on writing out your record).
• Be positive, it should emphasise your
achievements, strengths, positive attitudes
and your successes. Use the power words!
• Good English that must be freed from
grammatical errors.

14. Tips
• It is not a menu about yourself, it is an
outstanding record which you want to
document it and show to your potential
employers.
• Get ready to have sufficient evidence to prove
what you have claimed. Dishonesty will
destroy you.

15. References
• Wiggins, A. and Smith, N. 2013. Employment Opportunities for
School of Arts Students.
• TG. 2013. 100 Great Resume Words. [online] Available at:
http://www.aie.org/finding-a-career/writing-your-resume/100-greatresume-words.cfm [Accessed on 19 November 2013].
• YourDictionary. 2013. Adjective List for Resume. [online] Available
at: http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/parts-ofspeech/adjectives/adjective-list-for-resume.html [Accessed on 19
November 2013].

16. About the Author
•
•
•
•
Dr. Boon Cheong Chew
Email: bcchew@utem.edu.my
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/bcchew
Primary research interests:
-Renewable energy development & deployment
-Clean technology innovation & introduction
-Green & sustainability practices
-Human technology innovation & introduction
*All of them are angled from social science and
management perspectives.