Your goal today is to create a professional looking, awesome CV using Microsoft Word templates. Crafting an impressive CV (Curriculum Vitae) is your first step towards landing that dream job or gig, or securing a spot at University or college. During this workshop, we'll walk you through the process of creating a standout CV using Microsoft Word templates and a bit of AI, ensuring you make a lasting impression on potential employers or institutions.

Goal of the workshop /Badge criteria

• Work through the guidelines of how to create a CV that will stand out in a crowd.
• Create, open and save a word document
• Learn how to use templates in MS word
• Create headings and a professional layout, using consistent fonts.
• Insert pictures into a Word document
• Write a compelling overview of your experience and future potential (what you can offer)
• Use AI responsibly to adjust your content.
• Upload your CV to your school Google drive. (Ask your friendly ITE to give you the link to your folder)
• Optional for a double badge and to include in your CV, complete the Global Word Certification. (See Below)

Activity One: How to create an awesome CV

Discuss the following.....

• Why Do We Have to Have a CV?
  • Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of crafting your CV, let's explore why it's an essential tool in your career arsenal. A CV is more than just a piece of paper; it's your personal marketing tool that showcases your skills, experiences, and qualifications to prospective employers or academic institutions. Think of it as your professional introduction, giving you the chance to make a strong first impression and stand out from the crowd.

• Important Sections for a CV
  • Every CV consists of several key sections that provide a comprehensive overview of your background. Here's a breakdown of the essential sections:

1. Personal Information: Include your name, contact details, and optionally, a brief personal statement highlighting your career goals and aspirations.
2. Education: List your educational achievements, starting from the most recent. Include the names of schools attended, degrees earned, and graduation dates.
3. Work Experience: Detail any relevant jobs, internships, or volunteer positions you've held. Mention the job title, company name, dates of employment, and a concise description of your responsibilities and accomplishments.
4. Skills: Highlight specific skills that are relevant to the job or program you're applying for. These can include technical skills, languages, certifications, and more.
5. Achievements/Awards: Showcase any notable accomplishments, awards, or honors you've received, both in academics and extracurricular activities. Include your Global certificates here. (Internet, email, word and PowerPoint)
6. Extracurricular Activities: Mention your involvement in clubs, organizations, sports, or community service. This section provides insight into your interests and well-roundedness.
7. References: Optionally, include references' contact information. Make sure you have obtained permission from your references before listing them.

Activity 2: Using Microsoft Word Templates

Now that you understand the importance of a CV and the key sections to include, let's explore how to bring it all together using Microsoft Word templates. Follow these steps:

1. Open Microsoft Word: Launch the application on your computer.
2. Access Templates: Navigate to the "File" menu and select "New." Search for "CV templates" in the search bar. Choose a template that resonates with your style and the industry you're targeting.
3. Customize the Template: Once you've selected a template, start personalizing it. Replace the placeholder text with your own information. Pay attention to fonts, colors, and formatting to ensure a professional look.
4. Enter Sections: Input your personal information, education details, work experiences, skills, achievements, and extracurricular activities into their respective sections.
5. Review and Refine: Double-check for accuracy, clarity, and consistency. Tailor your CV for each application by emphasizing relevant experiences and skills. You can copy your CV into chat.open.ai and prompt it to
6. Save and Export: Save your CV as a Word document and export it as a PDF to preserve formatting and ensure compatibility across different systems.
7. Upload your CV to your school Google drive. (Ask your friendly ITE to give you the link to your folder)
8. Attach your CV to an email with a cover letter in the email (you can also ask Chat GPT to help you with that)

Conclusion

Crafting a compelling CV is a crucial step towards achieving your career goals. By following this guide and utilizing Microsoft Word templates, you can create a visually appealing and content-rich CV that showcases your strengths and potential. Remember, your CV is a dynamic document that can be adapted for different opportunities, so keep it updated and continue refining it as you gain new experiences and skills. With your well-crafted CV in hand, you're ready to take your first confident strides into the professional world. Good luck!

Download more free Word CV templates:

• https://www.my-resume-templates.com/

Activity 3: Earn your Global Certificate for Word!!

1. Register for an account on the GFCGlobal platform
2. Complete the Word GCFGlobal course. Make sure that you make notes as you go along. Watch the videos and complete the tasks within the course.
3. Complete the Word assessment and download the certificate.
4. Save it in your POE folder with the file name wordbadge_YournameYoursurname.pdf e.g. wordbadgeMaggieVerster.pdf.
5. Upload your certificate to your school Google Drive folder (ask your ITE for the POE link).

How to tutorials

• See the collection of how to tutorials at:
  https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/microsoft-playlist-lessons/microsoft-word/1/
• How to use equation editor (For maths teachers)
• Click on the picture to the right to see some Word videos on a wide variety of Word How to topics!