English for Academic Purposes Writing a CV Week 2 Lesson 1

1. Writing a CV

Astana IT University
Department of General Disciplines
English for Academic Purposes
Writing a CV
Week 2 Lesson 1
Writing

2. Outline

1
Lead-in
3
How to Write a CV:
Steps & Tips
2
Pre-writing activities
4
Writing Stage

3. Lead-in activity

1. Work in pairs and answer the questions
Have you ever had to create a CV before? What
was that experience like?
What sections do you think a CV should have?
What are some skills or experiences you think are
important to include in a CV?
What kind of job or internship would you like to
apply for in the future?

4. 2. Read the CV and complete the CV with the headings in the box.

Summary
2. Read the CV and complete the CV with the
headings in the box.
Achievement
Experience
Skills
Certifications Skills Achievements
Summary Experience Passions
Languages
Education
Certification
Education
Passions
Languages

5.

6.

3. Put the phrases in the correct groups.
Class B driving license,
Professional blogger, Diploma in Digital Design, Proficient
knowledge of analytics software, Photography, Certificate in Presentation
skills, Business Development manager, Research Assistant, Degree in Finance, Master’s
in Data Analytics & Business Computing, Judo, Sales Executive
Work experience
Research Assistant
Professional blogger
Business Development
manager
Sales Executive
Education
Skills and interests
Diploma in Digital Design
Degree in Finance
Master’s in Data Analytics
& Business Computing
Certificate in Presentation
skills
Class B driving license
Proficient knowledge of
analytics software
Photography
Judo

7. 4. Look at the extract from another CV below. The words and phrases in bold are too informal. Replace them with more formal

words from the box.
assisted managed attended basic developed provided
fluent on request
good knowledge of training
Assistant Sales Manager, SK Medical equipment:
Work Experience
attended
provided
Skills
Refereences
o
o
o
o
o
o
1. was the boss of a team of 20 sales reps managed
gave 2. lessons in sales skills to a new staff training
3. made a sales and marketing plans
developed
4. went to sales conferences regularly
prepared proposals and 5. gave sales reports every day
6. helped the management in special projects assisted
o
o
o
o
fluent
Spanish – 7. brilliant
Turkish – 8. a few words basic
9. Know a lot about the latest sales software good knowledge of
10. I can give you these if you ask me on request

8.

5. Match the beginnings and the endings of the phrases.
Beginnings
Endings (A–G)
1. develop
A. transition to a new CRM system
2. play a
B. team role in designing a new website
3. ensure smooth
C. reports for senior management
4. increase
D. datasets to identify cost-saving opportunities
5. analyze
E. a Python script to automate tasks
6. lead a critical
F. customer satisfaction rates
7. provide detailed
G. redesign of a data visualization tool

9.

6. Complete the phrases with the words from the box to talk about the results of
your job.
achieved– improved – enhanced - increased – ensured – reduced
reduced
1.
Developed a Python script that ______ manual work by 40%
2.
Collaborated in a team of 5 and ______ employee engagement by 25%
3.
Analyzed large datasets and achieved
______ a 15% reduction in operational costs
4.
Created detailed reports and ______ better decision-making for senior
improved
management
increased
ensured
5.
Assisted in a CRM system implementation and ______ a smooth transition for
20+ employees
enhanced
6.
Solved a critical software bug and ______ system reliability

10. How to write a CV?

Writing a CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a crucial step in applying for jobs. Here's a step-by-step guide to
help you create an effective CV:
1. Contact Information
Full Name: Place this at the top of the page.
Phone Number: Include your international dialing code if applying abroad.
Email Address: Make sure it's professional.
Address: Optional, depending on the job application.
LinkedIn Profile: Optional but recommended, especially for professional roles.
2. Professional Summary (Optional)
A brief paragraph (2-4 sentences) highlighting your experience, skills, and what you can offer
the employer. Tailor this to each job application.

11. How to write a CV?

3. Work Experience
Job Title
Company Name and Location
Dates of Employment (Month/Year)
Key Responsibilities and Achievements: Use bullet points to list your main duties and any
accomplishments. Quantify your achievements where possible (e.g., “Increased sales by 20%”).
4. Education
Degree or Qualification
Institution Name and Location
Graduation Date (Month/Year)
Relevant Coursework or Honors: Optional, include if relevant to the job.

12. How to write a CV?

5. Skills
List specific skills relevant to the job, such as software proficiency, languages, or technical
abilities.
Use bullet points for clarity.
6. Certifications and Training (Optional)
Include any additional certifications or professional training that is relevant to the job.
7. Languages
List any languages you speak, along with your proficiency level (e.g., Fluent, Intermediate).
8. Volunteer Experience (Optional)
Similar to work experience, list any volunteer work if it's relevant to the job.
9. References (Optional)
You can either list references or simply state “Available upon request.”

13.

Tips for Writing a CV
Tailor your CV. Customize your CV for each job application by focusing on the
skills and experience most relevant to the job.
Be concise. Aim for 1-2 pages.
Use action verbs. Start your bullet points with strong action verbs (e.g., "Managed,"
"Developed," "Led").
Check for error. Proofread carefully to avoid any spelling or grammatical mistakes.
Use a clean layout. Make sure your CV is easy to read with clear headings and
bullet points.

14. Writing task

5. Write your own CV. Use the tips and steps
provided on the following pages to guide you in
creating your CV.

15.

Instructions for CV Presentation Assignment
1. Write your CV
Prepare a professional one-page CV.
Include the following sections:
Personal details (name, contact information)
Education (current program, previous studies)
Work experience / internships (if any)
Skills (IT, languages, communication, teamwork, etc.)
Other relevant information (achievements, certificates, volunteering)
Imagine you are a specialist in your field (Software/Electrical Engineering, IoT,
MSC, ST) and tailor your CV to a specific job or career path.
Deadline: Week 2, Sunday 23:59

16.

Instructions for CV Presentation Assignment
2. Prepare a 2-minute oral presentation
⚠ Important: You are not presenting your CV — you are presenting yourself
as a candidate.
Introduce yourself professionally (name, background, career goal).
Talk about your education, experience, and skills in your own words.
Highlight what makes you a strong candidate (strengths, achievements, interests
related to your future career).
End with a short career goal statement (e.g., “In the future, I would like to work
as a data analyst in an international company”).
Deadline: Week 2, Sunday 23:59

17.

Instructions for CV Presentation Assignment
3. Practice for fluency and timing
Make sure your speech is clear, concise, and exactly 2 minutes.
DO NOT READ DIRECTLY FROM YOUR CV OR NOTES — SPEAK
NATURALLY.
Focus on:
Clear pronunciation
Confident body language (eye contact, posture, gestures)
Engaging delivery
Deadline: Week 2, Sunday 23:59

18.

Instructions for CV Presentation Assignment
4. Presentation in class
Deliver a 2-minute self-presentation to your classmates and teacher.
You may show your CV as a visual support on screen, but the focus must be on
your spoken presentation.
Study the assessment criteria carefully before preparing your CV and
presentation.
Deadline: Week 2, Sunday 23:59

19.

Assessment Criteria for CV Presentation
CV (30%)
Criterion
Score
Format & Design
Content & Structure
10
10
Language Use (Grammar & Vocabulary)
10
Presentation (70%)
Content
Criterion
Score
10
Structure
10
Fluency
10
Pronunciation
10
Vocabulary
Grammar
10
10
Audience Interaction & Engagement
5
Timing
5

20. Thank you for your participation!