Lesson Plan

Module 3: Writing a Strong CV

CV 01:03

Intent

Intent:

Provide learners with the structure, language, and format of an effective CV.

Lesson Outcomes:

  • Understand the purpose and parts of a CV.
  • Draft a personal profile and employment history.
  • Create a basic CV using a template.

Key Activities:

  • Walkthrough of sample CVs (good vs. bad)
  • Write a personal statement
  • Fill out a CV template

Delivery Timeline:

  • 0:00–0:05: Writing a Strong CV
  • 0:05–0:10: What Is a CV?
  • 0:10–0:15: What Should a CV Include?
  • 0:15–0:25: CV Do’s and Don’ts
  • 0:25–0:30: Personal Profile
  • 0:35–0:40: Activity – Write Your Personal Profile
  • 0:40–0:45: Work Experience
  • 0:45–0:50: Activity – Fill Out Work Experience Template
  • 0:50–0;55: Skills and References
  • 0:55–1:05: Build Your CV – Step-by-Step
  • 1:05–1:10: Recap and Next Steps
  • 1:10-1:15 Careers Reflection

Resources

  • Computer and Printer
  • Pen Paper
  • AI CV Builder

Rocket words

  • CV (Curriculum Vitae)
  • Personal Profile
  • Reference
  • Work Experience
  • Skills

Implementation

Instructor Guidance

Section 1: Welcome to Module 3 – Writing a Strong CV

Today’s focus is on learning how to sell yourself on paper by creating a CV that clearly shows employers the skills, qualities, and experiences you bring to the table. We’ll start with a brief overview of what a CV is and why it’s such an important tool in your job search.

Section 2: What Is a CV? 

Explain that a CV (Curriculum Vitae) is essentially a personal marketing sheet designed to showcase a learner’s skills, experience, and qualifications.

Emphasise that a CV is the primary tool used when applying for jobs and serves as the first impression an employer gets.

Highlight the importance of clarity and simplicity, noting that employers often spend less than 30 seconds reviewing each CV.

Encourage learners to focus on making their CVs clear, concise, and easy to scan quickly.

Section 3: What Should a CV Include?

Standard CV sections:

  • Personal Details (name, contact info)
  • Personal Profile
  • Work Experience
  • Skills
  • Education (optional)
  • References or “Available on request”
  • Show simplified example CV on screen.

Section 4: CV Do’s and Don’ts (Compare Samples)

  • DO: Keep it clear, 1–2 pages, honest, and relevant
  • DON’T: Include unnecessary personal details, use fancy fonts, or lie
  • Compare “Good vs. Bad” CV samples (handouts or projector)
  • Group chat: “What’s wrong with the bad one?”

Section 5: Rocket Word – Personal Profile

Introduce the concept of the CV summary or personal statement as a brief paragraph at the top of the CV that gives a snapshot of the candidate. Explain that it should include three main points: what the person is good at, what type of job they are looking for, and a key achievement or strength. Provide the example: “Reliable and hardworking individual with experience in team settings, seeking a hands-on role in a warehouse environment.” Emphasise the importance of keeping this section clear, concise, and tailored to the job they want.

Encourage learners to think about how to describe themselves positively and succinctly in their own CV summaries.

Section 6: Activity – Write Your Personal Profile

Prompt:

  • What are your key strengths?
  • What job role are you interested in?
  • What’s something you’re proud of?
  • Use worksheet to draft profile
  • Share with a partner for feedback

Section 7: Work Experience

Includes any jobs, placements, prison work roles, volunteering, etc.

For each entry:

  • Job Title
  • Where (or context – e.g., prison work unit, charity shop)
  • Dates
  • 2–3 key duties/responsibilities
  • Emphasise use of action words (e.g., "Managed," "Supported," "Delivered")

Section 8: Activity – Fill Out Work Experience Template

Provide learners with a blank CV template and ask them to fill in their previous roles, including informal experiences. As they work, circulate around the room to offer support, helping them translate their everyday experiences into clear, formal language suitable for a CV.

Section 9: Skills and References

Guide learners to list key skills on their CV such as communication, timekeeping, teamwork, and others. Remind them to refer to their strengths worksheet from Module 2 to help identify relevant skills to include. Explain that for references, it’s common and acceptable to simply write “Available on request” at this stage. Mention that if learners already have trusted referees, they can include their contact details, but this is optional.

Encourage learners not to worry about having referees immediately; this can be arranged later as needed.

Section 10: Build Your CV – Step-by-Step

  • Walkthrough of the full CV template
  • Start with Personal Details
  • Add Personal Profile
  • Fill in Work Experience
  • Add Skills
  • Add References line
  • Learners begin to compile all into a full draft CV

Section 11: Recap and Next Steps

“Your CV is your first impression – make it count”

Encourage learners to keep refining their drafts
Next module will focus on interview skills to match their CV

Section 12: Careers Reflection

Felix is a Project Control Apprentice at EDF. Felix discusses what he does in his role. What job within water industry might you interested in exploring?

Impact & Assessment Opportunities

Plenary

To wrap up today’s session, remind learners that their CV is often the first thing an employer sees – so it needs to clearly highlight their strengths, experience, and potential. Reassure them that everyone starts somewhere, and even informal experience can be valuable.

Encourage them to keep working on their draft CVs, using today’s activities as a solid foundation. Let them know that in the next module, they’ll build on this by practising how to talk about their experience in interviews. Finally, congratulate them for taking an important step forward in their job journey.

Assessment

Submit draft CV to trainer for review and individual feedback. Trainer checks for:

  • Clear structure
  • Realistic content
  • Appropriate formatting
  • Presence of all key sections

Formative Assessment

1. What is the main purpose of a CV?
A) To list all your hobbies
B) To show employers your personality
C) To apply for jobs and highlight your skills and experience ✅
D) To replace the need for interviews

2. What should a personal profile include?
A) Your date of birth
B) Your strengths, job goal, and a key achievement ✅
C) A list of every job you’ve ever had
D) Your full address and ID number

3. Which of these is a CV ‘DO’?
A) Use bright colours and creative fonts
B) Keep it honest and clear ✅
C) Add every personal detail possible
D) Make it 4–5 pages long

4. Which of these is an acceptable entry in the ‘Work Experience’ section?
A) “Just helped out sometimes”
B) “Worked in prison kitchen – managed stock and hygiene duties” ✅
C) “Too long ago to remember”
D) “I don’t want to say”

5. What should you write for references if you don’t have any yet?
A) “Ask me later”
B) Leave it blank
C) “Available on request” ✅
D) “Don’t have any”