TYPES OF CURRICULUM VITAE

Because CVs are more popular, we will be treating it instead of résumé. With the knowledge of
CVs, writing résumés wouldn’t be a problem. There are different kinds of CVs but we will be
considering the three most popular kinds.

• Chronological CVs
• Functional CVs and
• Composite/Hybrid CVs

THE 'CHRONOLOGICAL CV'

This is the most popular type of CV. It's the one which most people still use. It takes the reader
through your career in reverse 'chronological' (time) order. That means it starts with the work
you've done most recently and ends with the earliest work you did. The focus of this kind of CV
is on your work experience:

• the work you've done

• the employers you worked for
• what you did in each job, and
• what you achieved.

This type of CV is the one that most employers expect to see, and are most comfortable with
reading and understanding. Use this kind of CV when you're trying for jobs in the same kind of
area that you already work in, or have experience of.

THE 'FUNCTIONAL CV'

This kind of CV highlights your skills and abilities, rather than your work experience.

Use the Functional CV when:

• you're trying to change career

• you've changed jobs or careers frequently
• you have gaps in your work history which you don't want to bring attention to
• you've just left school, college or university, or
• you're returning to work after a break (e.g. after raising children).
Be aware that some recruiters don't like this kind of CV as they feel it hides essential information
that they're looking for. Also, some employers find functional CVs difficult to follow or
understand; so you may not please everyone with this kind of CV.

THE 'HYBRID/COMPOSITE CV'

This type of CV is a kind of mixture (a 'hybrid') of the chronological and functional CVs. It gives
details of your skills and expertise, as well as your work experience. In many situations, you may
find this CV provides the right balance of good structure with enough detail to impress an
employer.

This CV is often used for unique positions or application; like the applications for the positions of
a VC or Rector of an institution or for Top Executive positions in organizations. Here, you
highlight skills, functions and career experiences.

DESIGNING THE LAYOUT OF A CV

A CV usually has the following layout:

• Name: surname must come first, separated by a comma

• Contact address: includes your GSM number and email address
• Career objective: a brief statement of what you can do
• Personal details: your age, date of birth, sex and local government area(LGA)
• Educational details: includes all your relevant educational qualifications
• Employment details: details of your employment history
• Other skills and affiliations: certificates and professional affiliations
• Hobbies: what you do outside your job, e.g. playing Chess, Swimming, etc.
• References: reputable persons who could be called upon to attest to your capabilities for
the job

Things will be made vivid when you have skimmed through some sample CVs to clarify the above
layouts.

Before taking a look at some sample CVs, let’s see some rules relating to both the CVs and
résumés.

THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF CURRICULUM VITAE

The following is a list of do’s and don’ts when it comes to writing a CV. You sure will find them
handy.

DO’S…

• Try to keep your CV straight forward and easy to read with well demarcated sections.
• Do use a professional email address. Anything like [email protected],
[email protected] should be avoided. In the corporate world, they are called junk
email addresses. They portray a wrong notion of you. Be conventional and professional in
choosing emails for your CVs and cover letters as your email addresses kind of reflect your
personality or what you are feeling when you opened it. You could use your name.
Something like; [email protected].
• Thoroughly check spellings and grammar. This goes beyond a spell check using word
processing softwares (many words are not picked up by these softwares such as the mis-
spelling of coordinate as “co-ordinate”). Wherever possible ask friends and colleagues to
read through your CV so obvious errors are not missed. Spellings or grammatical mistakes
might suggest poor attention to details, which could be an issue for prospective employers.
• Balance content against length. While a two-page CV is the textbook idea, this is not
always possible. Using ridiculously small text to accommodate two pages can be more
detrimental than having an extra page. It is rarely advisable to have a huge volume of pages,
however if you feel that the experience you have is relevant and you need more pages to
explain this, balance this against the impact of a shorter CV. Would leaving a key detail
out potentially cost you the job? If you believe this might be the case, then it is better to
add the detail. What you should leave out is unnecessary information such as descriptions
of jobs that were 10years ago in unrelated fields.
• Adjust the CV to suit the role. If you have a job description, it is advisable to adjust your
CV so that it more readily highlights the aspects of your experience relevant to the role
which you are applying. CVs with a specific role in mind are almost always more
successful than those written for any generic position. This is always particularly true of
graduate applications.
• Remember that the CV is primarily a selling tool. It is not an autobiography but a way of
persuading a consumer to buy a product; namely a company to decide that your skills are
worth paying for. You should think about the skills and experiences that would appeal to
an employer; don’t explain everything you have done. The “kitchen sink” approach can
mean that your CV has not sold enough.

DON’TS…

• Don’t ever title your CV, like “Curriculum Vitae”. Your employee already knows it’s a
CV. Recruiting officers are not that dumb. Instead your name and contact should be boldly
written on it as caption.
 • Don’t put your photograph on your CV. You want the employer to consider you on the
basis of skill set not what you look like.
• Don’t have overly elaborate or style CV formatting such as a multitude of colors or a huge
range of fonts. Too many job applicants spend too much on CV design and not enough CV
content. Except in professions where design is the key necessity (such as a Graphic
Designer position) a stylistic CV will have little impact.
• Don’t be afraid to omit sections recommended by CV templates. Don’t spend hours
agonizing over what you should put in the hobbies / interest section, particularly when you
are suffering from a lack of space. The reality is that this section is rarely read by
interviewers. Exception to this is of course Industrial Training (IT) positions (where extra-
curricular activities at the University can be important) or where companies put high values
on staff having outside interest. Example of such is management consulting.
• Don’t stick to the traditional style / ordering. It is a good idea to add your personal contact
details but beyond that remember that you need to catch the employer’s eye (without
gimmicks) so that they make a buying decision. For example, if you have weaker
academics but convincing work history, put your educational qualifications on the second
page.
• Don’t use long wordy paragraphs generally. Bullets are a more effective way of summing
up experiences and are easy to format.
• Don’t undersell yourself. Ensure that your most recent achievement is described in an
amount of detail; include relevant key achievements or recent successes.

RÉSUMÉ DO’S AND DON’TS

Since the sole objective of a résumé is to get you a job interview, your résumé should keep shouting “These
are my skills, this is what I have accomplished, and this is how it can be an asset to your company!” While
no two résumés can ever be the same, keep the following points in mind while creating your résumé.

DON’TS …

• Don’t include too many personal details; exclude information irrelevant to your job such
as;

1. Parent’s name: your parents have nothing to do with the job.

2. Family history: employers are more interested in what you can do, not whether your father
is with the government or if your sister is married to the governor’s brother.
3. Height, weight, blood group, and health: not required unless you are applying for a job
abroad.
4. Languages known: unless it’s a job requirement; especially for an overseas opportunity,
it’s an absolute waste of space.
 • Don’t write volumes about the companies you have worked previously. While it may be
good to have worked in a reputable company, a half page description of the company’s
activities is unprofitable to your employer. However, do point out the skills you acquired
in your previous jobs.
• Don’t give a long list of job responsibilities that you were entrusted with. Give results.
Instead of writing “In charge of training employees in Computer Applications”, use
“Trained 35 employees to use Photoshop, Microsoft Word and Excel within four months.”
This will help your potential employer assess you by what you have done and is more likely
to get you an interview. A long list will also make your résumé excessively long.
• Don’t…….and this is a big DON’T ……ever include your picture in your résumé unless
specifically asked for. You don’t want to give the impression that you are depending on
your looks to land the job.
• Don’t ever photocopy your résumés. Get proper prints, preferably on a Laser Printer. It is
always very easy to distinguish photocopies from an original. The extra expense is well
worth it as an investment into your future. Photocopying your resume might give the
impression that you don’t see the job important enough to print out an original.
• Don’t for heaven’s sake, type out your résumé in all caps and with underlinings. This may
put you out of the race at the application level itself.

DO’S…

• Do give your name and contact information at the very top of the page. This will help get
rid of the superfluous heading such as “Name” and “Contact Address”. It also makes it
likely that the recruiter will remember your name.
• Do focus on all your relevant and focal achievements. Be sure to qualify everything you
have done. Sentences such as “Reduced project expenditure by 20%” and “Increased sales
in my region by 30% within 3months” have more impact than merely “Overall charge of
projects” and “Handled sales in eastern region”. They show that you have accomplished
something instead of merely being involved in mundane activities. Employers want
achievers so your résumé must tell them why they should hire you.
• Do put in skills that are relevant to the job you are applying for. For instance, if you are
applying for the post of a secretary, skills such as knowledge of computers, shorthand, etc.,
are usually required. Once again, be specific. Use sentences such as “Thorough knowledge
of MS Word and Excel”, “Typing speed of 60WPM”, five years’ experience as “Secretary
to Director” to highlight your skills. Exclude information like “Departmental President”
unless it is relevant to that position.
• Do use good quality paper for your résumé. Superior quality paper makes a good first
impression and the cost hardly matters. Avoid old yellowed and cheap photocopying paper.
Remember not to fold the résumé into sections.
 • Do, and please follow this tip; proofread, proofread, and then proofread some more. Make
sure you have a printed copy of your résumé and give it a thorough and careful read. Then
look at it again after a couple of hours. Once you are satisfied that there is nothing wrong,
give it to a friend and ask him / her to check if everything looks right. Spellings and
grammar mistakes shows that you are not careful about details. Some recruiters won’t even
call you for an interview if they find spelling mistakes. Don’t create a negative impression
at the beginning itself.
• Do create your own résumé. Don’t merely copy someone else’s and then change the
information, qualifications and experience, the nature of position, etc. A résumé that is
suitable for someone else may be totally unsuitable for you. For example, for a person of
20yrs experience in Public Administration, skills and achievements are more important
than educational qualifications. For a software engineer with limited experience however,
education and technical knowledge are definitely more important.
• Do go to a professional résumé service provider if you need help preparing a résumé. By
this, I don’t mean your corner typist or your neighbor who is an English lecturer. Résumé
professionals will ask you for your skills, qualifications, experience, etc. and then create a
targeted résumé for you. Though they may cost you some cash, they are usually worth the
money.
• Do create a targeted resume and not a “one size fits all positions” one. Each position you
apply for may have some slightly different requirements, as will the company doing the
hiring. What works for Company A may not suit Company B. You may have to emphasize
different things in different places. Generally, it is necessary that you know all you can
about the company that is hiring you and then tailor your CV or résumé accordingly.

Now, enough already with rules and let’s get into the real deal; sample CVs and what make them
unique.

SAMPLES OF CURRICULUM VITAE

Sample #1: Functional CV

Akhimien, Jackson James

Plot 4, Willi Estate, Warri, Delta State
08033567900
[email protected]

CAREER OBJECTIVE: To work in a challenging environment that aims at obtaining the best
from its employees and consequently recognizes and rewards production.

PERSONAL BIO-DATA

Date of birth: 10 April, 1980

Sex: Male

Marital Status: Single

Hometown: Ekpoma

State: Edo State

Nationality: Nigeria

EDUCATIONAL DETAILS

Sept. 2001-2002:. Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Masters Degree in International

Relations

1993-1997: Mekai University, Chiba, Japan, B.Sc in international relations

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

Natural Group, Tokyo; Japan manufacturer of natural foods and supplements.

Sales Assistant

• Advised the main shop’s customers about organic and healthy foods
• Development of new businesses in smaller satellite stores; explaining the benefits of
supplements and organic foods to potential new customers.
• Increased sales at both the main and satellite shops. The extra profits were used to expand
the business by establishing a new shop.

OTHER SKILLS

• Computer literate: good knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel, as well as Email
Marketing and the Internet.
• Fluent in the three main Nigerian languages; practical knowledge of English
• Exceptional Analytical skills

HOBBIES
 • Playing Chess and Scrabble
• Swimming and Table Tennis

REFERENCES

Professor Egho James

MD/CEO, Monstina Enterprises
Alams Close, Effurun, Warri, Delta State
08039……
[email protected]

Pastor Ojiangbe Kingsley

Living Christ Mission
#4, Upper Iweka, Benin, Benin City, Edo state
08073……
[email protected]
Sample #2: Chronological CV

Mudiaga, Arnold Idemudia

#3, First Upstairs Rd, Ikpoba Hill,

Benin, Benin City
08039331577
[email protected]

Career Objective: To improvise more creative ways of maintaining excellence, productivity and
cutting edge service in my chosen career.

PERSONAL DETAILS

Date of birth: 10 March, 1960

Sex: Male
Marital Status: Single
Home Town: Iruekpen
State: Edo State

EDUCATIONAL DETAILS

1991 – 1992: University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Masters Degree in Biotechnology

1985 – 1989: Nnamdi Azikiwe University; First Degree in Biochemistry

1979 –1984: Western Boys High school, Ikpoba Hill, Benin, Benin City; Senior Secondary
Certificate (SSCE)

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

1989 – Date: Gepo Foods Limited; Manufacturer of Biscuits under the brand name MUMMY at
the Jos Factory

1992 – Date: Senior Quality Assurance Technician

RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Managed all quality assurance in Gepo Foods Jos Factory and reported directly to the
factory manager.
• Managed a team of 6 people; assigning them tasks, and motivating them to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated the quality assurance procedures to customers during factory visits.
• Performed quality audits at the factory.
1989 – 1992: QUALITY ASSURANCE TECHNICIAN

• Created computer applications with the help of programmer to monitor the factory
environment.
• Analyzed the quality assurance system and made recommendations for improvements.
These were incorporated into the current quality assurance system.
• Examined equipment in the factory to check that it met the company’s standards.
• Investigated new equipment installed in the factory to make sure that it would comply with
quality assurance procedures.

1985 – 1989: SURET FOOD PRODUCTS LIMITED (Manufacturer of a wide range of grocery products)

1987 – 1989: Research Technician

• Formulated new product lines and conducted the relevant laboratory experiments
• Performed a study of the shelf of various canned foods.
• Tested new products to check that they met NAFDAC guidelines for bacteriological
content.
• Conducted a survey on packaging

1985 – 1986: Plant Operator

• Worked at the production line at the canning factory. Responsibilities included:

• Operated the canning machinery producing tinned fruit and vegetables.
• Solved and fixed any production line problems with the help of the service engineer.

Major Achievements

• Saved the company more than 2million naira a year by implementing a new quality
assurance system.
• Increased the acceptance level of finished goods from 96% to 99%
• Achieved B55750 for the production line by writing the company’s quality assurance
procedures
• Solved major quality assurance problems which temporarily halted productions.

Hobbies

Playing and watching football, physical fitness – gym, Chess and Scrabble

References

Eugene Odia Eromosele

Christ Embassy Satellite Church
NNPC Benin Depot, Benin City
Edo state
0805………..
[email protected]

Ogedegbe Kingsley
Managing Director
Iron Resource and Consults
Angels Close, Ugborikoko, Warri
Delta State
0803…….
[email protected]