Example CVs and Covering letters

The following examples of CVs and covering letters may give you ideas about content
and layout. However, please don’t slavishly copy any particular CV or letter! Instead,
choose a style and layout you feel comfortable with which will allow you to present your
information effectively. Your application should be personal and specific to you!

Application for a university post: Annie Douglas

Academic success shines through from the outset as the applicant effectively
highlights her research interests and teaching skills. Crucially, she addresses how her
research interests could complement those of the department, and gives examples of
her teaching experience to prove that she has the right combination of skills. Annie’s
CV and covering letter are succinct and relevant, but maintain an enthusiastic tone.

Application for an MSc in Environmental Technology: Samira Begum

This course requires technical knowledge and prefers students to have some relevant
work experience. There are also minimum academic requirements. Samira highlights
her relevant academic qualifications, and clearly shows her achievements, such as
her industrial placement prize. She has also demonstrated where she has applied her
knowledge to the world of work. The CV is focussed, with space carefully allocated
according to the importance of the information.
 24a Leslie Place
Edinburgh
EH3 2XC

Human Resources Division

Sussex House
University of Sussex

Brighton
BN1 9RH

6th March 2007

Dear Professor Rose

Lecturer in English Language Ref: 0899ADF

Further to your advertisement on www.jobs.ac.uk, I am writing to apply for the above

post.

I would relish the opportunity to work at the University of Sussex, where my research
interests would complement several areas of existing expertise in the English
Language Department, particularly the current research into language choice and
social groups being carried out by Dr. Julius Klum.

As will be seen from the enclosed CV, I have recently completed my PhD, funded by
the AHRC. My research was into new forms of technology and their effect on linguistic
structure, including sociolinguistic and grammatical analysis. I am confident that my
research focus and the breadth of my undergraduate study would add to the strengths
of your department.

Furthermore, I am keen to build on my existing teaching experience. During the course

of my PhD I have gained training in and extensive experience of small group teaching,
having tutored in the Department of English Language at Edinburgh for 18 months.
This consolidated a further two years of teaching experience in Muscat as a Teacher of
English as a Foreign Language.

In addition to pursuing a programme of publication from my doctoral work, I

would hope to take advantage of departmental expertise to develop collaborative
publications and proposals for future research in order to make a strong contribution
to the research profile of the Department.

As requested, I enclose a copy of my curriculum vitae, together with contact details

for my referees and a sample draft chapter. I also enclose a summary of my thesis,
and would be happy to provide further chapters or copies of my earlier published work
should this be required.

Yours sincerely

Annie Douglas
 ANNIE DOUGLAS

24a Leslie Place, Edinburgh, EH3 2XC

Telephone 0131 123 4537 Mobile 07521 986 114
annie_douglas1978@quickmail.com

EDUCATION AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

AHRC Funded PhD in Pragmatics, University of Edinburgh Oct 03 – Jan 07

Supervisor: Dr Richard Dan

‘LOL! The rise of text speak: new forms of social interaction and language change’

 Wrote for 2 publications and presented findings at 2 conferences.

 Successfully applied for a travel grant to attend an international conference in London.

 Assisted supervisor in putting together a successful funding application.

 Developed strong understanding of the work of academic staff through observation of and
participation in preparations for RAE exercise (awarded 5* in last RAE).

 Created and organised an informal support group for isolated research students from a
wide range of disciplines to network, share ideas and socialise.

MA (Hons.) English Language (1st), University of Glasgow Oct 95 – Jun 99

 Dissertation: Representations of Scottish dialect in virtual discussion forums.

 Modules studied: Semantics, Sociolinguistics, Grammars of English, Written Text and

Narrative, Phonetics, History of English, Onomastics and Culture and ELT.

 Awarded John Smithson Prize for academic excellence in Senior Honours.

 Demonstrated strong time-management skills and determination through successful

completion of degree whilst working part-time throughout course.

 Active member of English Language Society, contributing to discussion groups and

attending talks enabling awareness of current academic activity within the field.

 Studied further courses in English Literature and Psychology, gaining a broad base of
knowledge in areas relevant to my main area of study.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Tutor, English Language 1, University of Edinburgh Oct 05 – Jun 06

 Planned and conducted 4 tutorials per week during semester time for modules in Grammar,
Phonetics and Language Acquisition. Used creative teaching methods to fully engage
classes of 8 -10 students, receiving excellent student feedback.
 Marked student assignments, seeking guidance in good practice from colleagues and the
University Teaching Quality Handbook.
Assistant English Teacher, British Council, Muscat Sep 99 – Aug 03

 Achieved CELTA qualification in July 1999 prior to being offered post.

 Gained experience teaching a range of age groups including adults in classes of 40 plus
students. Demonstrated ability to manage the time of myself and others, maintain
discipline, adapt my style to suit the audience and present information in a clear, logical
and engaging manner.

ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE

 Responsible for co-administrating the 3 day Scottish Dialects Conference

(March 10th – 12th 2006) held at Edinburgh. Invited delegates and coordinated
accommodation, travel and venue. Demonstrated strong organisation and troubleshooting
skills ensuring the smooth running of a very successful event.
 Active member of monthly staff / student committee, frequently acting as minute taker and
ensuring meeting documentation was circulated to all relevant stakeholders.

STUDENT SUPPORT AND PASTORAL CARE

 In the second and third year of my PhD I acted as a student mentor to final year
undergraduates and first year postgraduate students through an inter-departmental
scheme, providing a listening ear and referring on to further sources of support within the
university as appropriate.

COURSES AND CONFERENCES ATTENDED

 Migration and Diaspora Cultural Studies Network, Delegate. UCL April 17th – 18th 2005
 Critical Approaches to Discourse Analysis, Delegate. UEA June 14th – 15th 2006
 Participated in a number of courses offered to PhD students including UK GRAD School,
How to be an Effective Researcher and Effective Presentations.

REFEREES
Dr. Richard Dan Ms S Mann Dr Z Plus
(PhD supervisor) (Employer) (Senior Lecturer)
University of Edinburgh British Council University of Glasgow
AFB, George Square 2 Woodland Road 9 University Gardens
Edinburgh EH8 9LL London W1 1UQ Glasgow G12 6TY
Tel: 0131 666 3210 Tel: 020 999 7777 Tel: 0141 335 9999
r.dan@ed.ac.uk s.mann@britcouncil.gov.uk z.plus@gla.ac.uk

PUBLICATIONS AND CONFERENCE PAPERS

 A. Douglas. 2006. ‘A sociolinguistic approach to text messages’ presented to the Scottish

Dialects Conference, Edinburgh
 S. Brooke, A. Douglas, E. Fields. 2006 ‘Textual Analysis’. English Language Today, 5
 SAMIRA BEGUM

15 North Park Road Tel: 0131 578 1234
Edinburgh
EH1 1EQ
samira.begum@hostmail.com

EDUCATION

The University of Edinburgh 2002 – 2007

M.Eng Mechanical Engineering – Class 2:1

Final year courses: Mechanics of Materials A

Mechanics of Fluids A
Systems Integration B
Design for Manufacture B
Thermodynamics C
Professional Engineering Studies B

Final year project: Created a cost effective and easily maintained carbon dioxide
fuelled mosquito trap that could be used by poverty stricken
communities in Africa.

The Edinburgh High School 1997 – 2002

Advanced Highers: Mathematics A

Physics B
SCE Highers: Mathematics A
Physics A
French B
Chemistry B
Computing B

English C
Standard Grades: 6 at Grade 1

WORK EXPERIENCE

Greengage Landfill Site, East Lothian August 2005

Technical Assistant
• My role included taking soil and water samples and arranging analysis by independent
laboratories. I plotted the results onto graphs to present the data in a useable form to senior
management. This taught me about some of the key parameters for measuring water
quality, and gave me valuable experience of presenting data in a commercial environment.

Air France, Paris July 2005

Intern, Maintenance Department
• As well as observing senior engineers working in aircraft safety, I compiled a database of
safety checks for planes in two airports, using MS Access. This system contributed to
faster turnaround times for essential small aircraft maintenance.
 Lothian Water, West Lothian Jan – Aug 2004
Industrial Project: Secondary sedimentation tank design in the wastewater industry.
Award: Lothian Water prize for best individual project mark of the year (87%)
• I worked in a group of three students to review industry requirements and possible
solutions. We submitted a group bid and obtained funding through the University to
purchase a model tank which was used for simulation exercises. Experimental results
were validated against computer simulations using computational fluid dynamics. As
a result of the project I wrote and presented a proposal to modify existing tanks at a
local wastewater treatment works.

Edinburgh Festival Venue Summer 2003

General Assistant
• Working at a busy arts venue gave me the opportunity to get involved in activities including
organising poster and programme printing and selling and collecting tickets.

HAP Surveys, Edinburgh Jan – April 2003

Traffic Surveyor
• I worked on a shift basis to count traffic in the centre of Edinburgh. The position required
reliability, high levels of concentration, and accurate and neat recording of data.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

IT Computer literate in Windows environment, particularly Word, PowerPoint

and Excel, with some experience of Access databases.
Languages French – Working knowledge
German – Basic

INTERESTS

Music Violin (Edinburgh University Sinfonia and ceilidh band)

Sport Mountaineering, running, skiing, sailing
Other Duke of Edinburgh Award at Bronze, Silver and Gold

REFERENCES

Dr A. Hardy (Personal Tutor) Mr P. Maclaren (Manager)

School of Engineering and Electronics Greengage Landfill Site,
The University of Edinburgh East Fortune
Kings Buildings Nr East Linton
Mayfield Road East Lothian
Edinburgh, EH9 3JL EH32 7YR
Tel: 0131 650 7352 Tel: 01620 445566