Make your name stand out in bold, perhaps
in a slightly larger font size – you don’t
One or two full sides of the page, laser
printed onto good-quality paper.
Addresses need to be clear, but can be
compact. Give your term and vacation
address. Date of birth is now optional due
to anti-age discrimination legislation in
2006. If you are an international student
with the right to work in the UK, state that
here.
Start with your most recent events and
use reverse chronology – this will likely
mean that you will start with your time at
Oxford. Use bullet points and emphasise
your achievements/responsibilities, not
just the activity.
Action verbs start the descriptions of what
you have done, with whom, and how.
Other possible headings are: Relevant
Experience, Employment History, Positions
of Responsibility. Use what suits you best.
Referees – not ‘references’! Ask them first
and send them a copy of your application.
Full details can be given if space permits
but this is not required.
need to write ‘curriculum vitae’.
Kim Smith Font – stick to one clear font throughout
(e.g. Arial, Times New Roman). 11pt
Home: 57 Worthington Road, Northampton, NN3 1KL Mobile: 07947928562
Term: Merton College, Merton Street, Oxford Email: kim.smith@merton.ox.ac.uk minimum for main text.
Education
2005 - 2009 Merton College, University of Oxford Any academic awards could go here. Put in
MSc Earth Sciences – expected 2.1
grades or expected grades if available. Add
 Independent Fieldwork Project, six weeks mapping an area of 15 sq miles in the
Cantabrian Mountains, Northern Spain. course detail if relevant.
 Masters Project, Laboratory based.
1998 - 2005 Northampton High School
A levels: Geography A, Maths A, Physics A.
GCSEs: 8 A*, 2 at A, including Maths and English.
There’s no need to list all those GCSE
Work Experience subjects and grades unless specifically
Summer 2008 Finance Department, Quest International, Ashford, Kent.
requested or really relevant.
 Processed invoices, analysed data and dealt with both customers and suppliers.
 Researched and prepared response for the United Nations Claims Commission.
Quest is currently pursuing a claim with regard to lost revenue due to the Iraqi
conflict.
 Updated Expenses Database, redesigned and tested new Expense Claim form.
2006 - 2007 Gap year placement with Shires Aggregates (6 months).
 Testing and sampling aggregates used in highways.
 Liased with site engineers.
Positions of responsibility
2007 - 2008 President of the Oxford Geology Society, Geolsoc.
 Lead a committee responsible for organising seminars, speakers and social events. Activities and societies provide evidence of
 Responsible for budget allocation. relevant transferable skills and qualities
 This is also involved public speaking.
Additional Skills
Languages: French, good written and spoken; Spanish, basic knowledge.
IT Skills: Proficient at MS Office applications and internet use. Give an indication of your level of skill, eg
‘working knowledge, basic, fluent’, etc.
Interests & Activities
Travelling: During my gap year I travelled extensively in the Far East.
My degree has given me opportunities for travel in Europe.
Music: Lead alto sax player and founding member of the Mertz Swing Band
 Play at local venues, weddings and other social events.
 European Tour planned for 2008.
Referees
Dr Jo Bloggs, Dept of Earth Science, Parks Rd, Oxford, OX1 3PR. Tel. 01865 277 1234
Dr Ellie Phant, Quest International, Ashford, Kent, AF4 2RH. Tel. 12345 678 9101