Writing a clear CV

Read/Listen first

After a difficult summer, I finally decided to rewrite my CV. I have not updated it for years, although I have managed several important projects. I want to show employers that I was able to meet tight deadlines and support my team. Last week I used ChatGPT to help me organise my work experience and main achievements. It suggested that I should start each bullet point with a strong action verb. I also added a short line about my responsibilities in my current position, so recruiters would quickly see what I actually do. Before I saved the file, I checked the spelling carefully, because small mistakes could look unprofessional. If I wrote a confusing CV, I might lose a great opportunity, even though I have good skills. Next month I am going to apply for a new job, so my CV needs to look clear, honest and professional.

⚡ Learning goals

• Can describe recent work experience and key responsibilities in a CV.
• Can use past and present perfect forms to highlight career achievements.
• Can choose clear verbs and modal verbs to sound professional in a CV.

✨ Key language

• rewrite my CV “I finally decided to rewrite my CV last week.”
• work experience and achievements “Her CV shows work experience and achievements very clearly.”
• apply for a new job “Next month I am going to apply for a new job.”

⚙️ Rules & Grammar — 4 Structures

1️⃣ Present perfect with for

Rule: Use have/has + past participle + for to describe actions that started in the past and continue until now.
Examples: I have not updated my CV for many years.; She has worked in the same company for ten years.; We have managed important projects for this client for a long time.
Common pitfall + fix: Learners often use the past simple with for for ongoing situations — use the present perfect instead.

2️⃣ Past simple for finished actions

Rule: Use the past simple to describe completed actions at a specific time in the past.
Examples: Last week I used ChatGPT to organise my CV.; I added a new section about my responsibilities.; Yesterday I checked the spelling carefully.
Common pitfall + fix: Learners sometimes mix present and past forms in the same sentence — keep all main verbs in the past simple for finished stories.

3️⃣ be going to for future plans

Rule: Use am / is / are going to + verb to talk about planned future actions.
Examples: Next month I am going to apply for a new job.; She is going to rewrite her CV this weekend.; They are going to check the spelling before they send it.
Common pitfall + fix: Learners often forget the verb be — always use am / is / are before going to.

4️⃣ Modal verbs for advice and possibility

Rule: Use should for advice and could / might for possibility or risk.
Examples: Small mistakes could look unprofessional.; You should start each bullet point with a strong action verb.; You might lose a great opportunity with a confusing CV.
Common pitfall + fix: Learners sometimes use must when they only want to give advice — choose should for softer, polite advice.

✍️ Vocabulary

  achievement

Meaning: something you succeed in doing after effort.
Synonyms: accomplishment, success, result.
Chunk/Idiom: highlight key achievements.
Example: I highlighted my main achievements at the top of my CV.
Morphology: noun; plural: achievements.
Self-practice: Write two achievements you could add to your CV.

  responsibility

Meaning: a duty or task that you are expected to do.
Synonyms: duty, role, obligation.
Chunk/Idiom: main responsibilities.
Example: Her main responsibilities include training staff and writing monthly reports.
Morphology: noun; plural: responsibilities; adjective: responsible.
Self-practice: List three responsibilities from your current or previous position.

  deadline

Meaning: the final time or date when something must be finished.
Synonyms: due date, time limit, target.
Chunk/Idiom: meet a deadline.
Example: We often work late to meet the project deadline on time.
Morphology: noun; plural: deadlines.
Self-practice: Write a sentence about a tight deadline you had recently.

  recruiter

Meaning: a person whose job is to find people for positions.
Synonyms: headhunter, talent scout, hiring manager.
Chunk/Idiom: speak with a recruiter.
Example: I spoke with a recruiter before sending my updated CV.
Morphology: noun; related verb: recruit.
Self-practice: Imagine a recruiter. Write one question they might ask you.

  opportunity

Meaning: a good chance to do something.
Synonyms: chance, possibility, opening.
Chunk/Idiom: a great opportunity.
Example: She does not want to lose a great job opportunity.
Morphology: noun; plural: opportunities.
Self-practice: Describe one career opportunity you would like to have.

  work experience

Meaning: the jobs and tasks you have done in the past.
Synonyms: employment history, professional background, career record.
Chunk/Idiom: relevant work experience.
Example: The company asks for at least three years of relevant work experience.
Morphology: noun phrase; uncountable; often used with have or get.
Self-practice: Write two lines about your most relevant work experience.

☁️ Examples (+ audio)

🔊 Play I have not updated my CV for many years.

🔊 Play Last week I added clear bullet points about my responsibilities.

🔊 Play Small spelling mistakes could make your CV look unprofessional.

🔊 Play Next month I am going to apply for a new job.

✏️ Exercises

Grammar

Vocabulary & Comprehension

✅ Guided practice

Mini-dialogue:

A: I need to update my CV before I speak with the recruiter.
B: Good idea, you should highlight your main achievements and responsibilities.
A: Then I might not miss a great opportunity.

Why this matters:

A clear CV helps recruiters understand your profile in a few seconds. Using correct grammar and strong verbs makes you sound more professional. This increases your chances when you apply for competitive positions.

Verb & Adjective Pack:

highlight achievements — Highlight achievements that show real results.
meet tight deadlines — We often meet tight deadlines during busy periods.
relevant work experience — Mention your most relevant work experience near the top.

Try & compare: