‘STORY CV’ TEMPLATE - FOR YOUR USE ONLY!

In starting your ‘STORY CV’ you should:

1. Firstly, fill in all the factual information (your Name & Personal
Details, School, Matric, etc.) into the whole ‘STORY CV
TEMPLATE’.
2. Secondly,complete the ‘Junior School’ Story paragraph and
then make 2 copies of the pages containing just your ‘Junior
School Story’ and submitting these when booking a Career
Development Interview to have this ‘Junior School Story’ critted
by a Career Counsellor. Once it is agreed that your ‘Junior
h
CURRICULUM VITAE
Change to
your name!

SUSAN BANKS

Highlights of School & University Career

Attended XYZ High School, 1985 - 1989

Good Matric, with University Entrance, B-Aggregate, 1989
NB
These need to be carefully composed “one liners” put
down in systematic order – a card CV.
NB Leave completing this Box to the end of the
Developed strong Personal CV Writing Exercise
…………..
Well developed ……..

Compiled, drafted and produced by Susan Banks: January 2003

 CURRICULUM VITAE
BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS
Name: Mary Susan BANKS
Home Address: 2 Tamarisk Court, Longmore Crescent, Edgemead, 7441
Telephone Number: 086 578 8484 (Cell) or (021) 64-2543 (Parents’ home)
Email Address: sbanks@ru.ac.za
Born: 23 June 1971, Johannesburg
Age: 22 years
Identity Number: 710623 0099 085
Driver’s Licence: Code 08, 23 June 1989
Code 15, 20 August 1993
Language Proficiency: English and Afrikaans - Excellent
German - Good
Health: Excellent

EDUCATION
Schooling
Junior School(s): Grove Primary School, Cape Town, 1979 - 1984
My Growth and Development at Junior School:
NB
Write a very carefully composed mini essay (half to a full page long) on how you
developed in Junior School and what and who influenced your development. Please
use the headings below, adapting each heading to your needs and circumstances so
that you give each section due focus and attention. Be as reflective as you can to gain
the most insights.
While you won’t use the Junior School section in your ‘final’ CV it’s VERY important to
start with this section of your STORY CV - it kick starts the whole CV writing process
most effectively. Writing a CV is a process and this is the best place to start!
Once you have completed the Junior School ‘Story’ section submit two copies of this
section after arranging an interview at the Career Centre to have it ‘critted’ by the
 NB In doing this section of your ‘Story CV’ please use the following Headings for each
paragraph:
 Introduction and Ethos of your Junior School(s) - this sub-paragraph is very important
 Academic Studies - which subjects you were good at, why, projects you did, teachers that helped,
etc.
 Extramurals, sub-divided into sub-paragraphs: Introduction to your extramurals, Cultural,
Sport, Community, Extramurals outside school, etc.
 Any other experiences during Junior School that impacted on you, in and out of school.
 Sum-up of your whole Junior Schooling - what you got out of it, developed, etc. and which you
carried forward into your Senior Schooling.
 Once done thoroughly make two copies of the pages containing just your JUNIOR SCHOOL STORY &
submit these for ‘critting’ on making your Career Interview booking @ the Career Centre.

Senior School(s): Oudtshoorn High School, Oudtshoorn, 1985

Milnerton High School, Cape Town, 1986 - 1989

School Certificate: Cape Senior Certificate,1989

CAPE SENIOR CERTIFICATE, FULL MATRICULATION EXEMPTION, 1989

Subjects Grade Symbol

Afrikaans ((First Language) Higher Grade B
English ((First Language) Higher Grade C
Mathematics Standard Grade B
German ((Third Language) Higher Grade C
History Higher Grade B
Business Economics Higher Grade C
Aggregate B

Senior School Activities and Achievements

NB
Again, a very carefully composed mini essay (2-3 Pages) on how you developed at Senior School
and what and who influenced your development. It should cover all aspects of your Senior School
period (in School, outside School, etc.) and should contain information on how you think you did at
School, where you did well or could have done better, etc. Remember, at this stage your CV is a
private document and therefore you can write down what you like! Again be as reflective as
possible, using the paragraph headings below.
Each paragraph under each heading should be well constructed and have strong ‘starting’ and
‘ending’ sentences. It will take a number of re-writings before this section is fully developed.

NB In doing this section of your ‘Story CV’ please use the following Headings (adding any new ones
as appropriate for your Senior schooling) changing and adapting them to your needs:
 Introduction and Ethos of your Senior School(s) - this sub-paragraph is very important
 Academic Studies - write an account of your academic studies at School, why you chose the
subjects you did, which ones you liked, why and which ones you did well at and those you didn’t
do well at & why? Projects? Olympiads? Do an assessment of your academic strengths &
weaknesses because this may help in what courses to choose in the future. This is the core to a
university graduate CV and so needs to be done thoroughly.
 Extramurals, sub-divided into sub-paragraphs: Introduction to your Extramurals, Cultural,
Sport, Community, Extramurals outside school, etc.
 Any other experiences during Senior School that impacted on you, in and out of school. E.g.
Tours you undertook, projects you completed, etc.
 Sum-up of your whole Senior Schooling - what you got out of it, developed, etc. and which you
carried forward into your Senior Schooling.
 Once done thoroughly make two copies of the pages containing just your JUNIOR & SENIOR SCHOOL
STORY & submit these for ‘critting’ on making a Career Interview booking @ the Career Centre.
(If you have been involved in any major Projects, Programmes or Enrichment Activities write them
up under a suitable Heading below. These could be in School, Community, Church, anything
(Work Shadow Programme, etc.) that you have done that should get special mention! An example
of Junior Achievement is given below)

A MAJOR PROJECT??
You may have completed a course or Programme which is significant to your
future or the position you are applying for. If you haven’t done anything then
leave this section out. Remember it can be any relevant Programme: an
Exchangeship, Academic Project, etc. NB If this section does not apply to you,
delete it.

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAMME – Grade 11, 1988:

Company Name: Boo-2-Yoo-2 (Pty) Ltd
My involvement in the Junior Achievement Business Experience Programme in Grade 11
introduced me to the basics of business and business functions, while providing important lessons
in communication, leadership, teamwork and taking responsibility. Our company, Boo-2-Yoo-2,
produced marionette ghosts and key rings for sale. Boo-2-Yoo-2 showed me how a business
operates - the successes, failures and feeling of achievement when things went well. My position
as financial stock manager required monitoring the number of units completed and work-in-progress
on a weekly basis. I had to ensure that the actual raw material count tallied with the computed raw
material calculation and had to reconcile any differences in these two totals. As financial stock
manager, I liased closely with the financial adviser and the stock controller, and had to pay
attention to detail, all of which improved my interpersonal, teamwork, administrative and general
organisation skills. Participating in Junior Achievement was both enjoyable and focussed my
interest in studying for a business career.
My extramural activities and achievements at Herschel included the following:
Leadership Positions:
 Prefect: 1989
 Head of …
NB
 Choose your own headings
for each section so as to
School Awards: market you in the most
 Full Colours for Academic Excellence: 1988, 1989 appropriate way given the
 Drama … purpose of the CV.

Cultural:
 Editor: School Magazine, 1987
 Acted in ….

Sport:
 Netball (First Team): 1987 - 1989
 School Athletics ….

Higher Education
University: Rhodes University, 1990 - 1994

Degrees:  Bachelor of ………..:,1990 - 1992

 Bachelor of …………..:, 1993 - 1994
Arts Major Subject(s): English III
Psychology III

BACHELOR OF ARTS (LAW) DEGREE, 1990 - 1992

Year Subjects Passed Percentage Symbol
1990 Afrikaans I 79 1
Latin Intensive 57 3
Introduction to Philosophy 65 2-
Introduction to Politics 63 2-
1991 English I 62 2-
Political Studies: The State and Bureaucracy 57 3
International and Comparative Politics I 70 2+
Roman Law I 59 3
Roman-Dutch and Private Law I 56 3
1992 S A Political Thought and Traditions 72 2+
Comparative and International Politics II 70 2+
Jurisprudence 62 2-
African Customary Law 66 2-
Law of Succession 65 2-
Law of Things 62 2-

Career Development at University

NB
A very carefully composed single paragraph on your career development and how
you managed it (if indeed you did!) while studying at Rhodes University.
This will take numerous re-writings before it is fully developed.
  STAR T YOUR ‘STOR Y CV’ WRITI NG HERE NB
Put your Postgraduate and any
other qualifications you have
taken after university.
BACHELOR OF LAWS DEGREE, 1993 - 1994
Year Subjects Passed Percentage Symbol
1993 Labour Law 66 2-
Criminal Law 60 2-
Criminal Procedure 55 3
Evidence 74 2+

University Activities and Achievements

NB
A very carefully composed mini essay, similar to those for Junior & Senior School using appropriate
headings, on how you developed at Rhodes University and what and who influenced your
development. It should follow on from your school paragraph, be well constructed, and have strong
‘starting’ and ‘ending’ sentences to each paragraph.
Again, this section will take a number of re-writings before it is fully developed.

 STAR T YOUR ‘STOR Y CV’ WRITI NG HERE

NB
The following paragraph was given its own heading and section to make it “stand out” and catch the
eye of the reader because of its relevance to where she was going, career-wise.

Legal Internship Programme, Wynberg Magistrates Court, Cape Town - July, 1993

I was fortunate to be selected to attend a two-week Legal Internship Programme run under the
auspices of the Department of Justice. We were exposed to all aspects of the legal justice system, the
work of the courts and especially the work of Prosecutors. This was a most beneficial and valuable
experience.

My extramural activities at university include the following:

1990  Health and Fitness Club Member

1991  Rhodes Softball Club
 Netball Club
1992  Class Representative for Political Studies Class
 Legal Aid Advisor
1993  History Tutor for STEP
 Legal Aid Advisor
 Member of Ballroom Dancing Society
1994  Legal Aid Advisor
 STEP Desk Member as Subject Co-ordinator (History)
 Rhodes Underwater Club
 Rhodes Mountain and Ski Club NB
 Rhodes Squash Club
Write in depth about your interests, the things you do, things, issues, ideas music, social things, what
you enjoy reading, etc. – all and everything that interests you. This is an ideal place to give
INTERESTS
information about you that is not catered for elsewhere in this CV document. In writing things down try
to indicate and evaluate why they interest you and what your opinions of them are.
Writing this paragraph is not easy because it must be interesting!, well developed, not clichéd
and thorough. This will take numerous re-writings before it is fully and well developed.
  STAR T YOUR ‘STOR Y CV’ WRITI NG HERE
WORK EXPERIENCE
Date Organisation Job Title
December 1989 - January 1990 Spur Steak Ranch, Cape Town Waitress
 Write here as much as you can about how you got the job, what you did, learned, skills you gained,
insights gained, successes, mistakes made, any praise and compliments you received, etc.
December 1991 - February 1992 Spur Steak Ranch, Cape Town Waitress
 Write here as much as you can about how you got the job, what you did, learned, skills you gained,
insights gained, successes, mistakes made, any praise and compliments you received, etc.

 Once you have assessed each job above, write it ALL up into
a single paragraph here.
DEVELOPED ABILITIES
My schooling, university and especially my part-time work experience at Supervision Food Services
have greatly benefited me in the development of the following skills for a career in law:

NB
The skills you have developed through all you have done at school, at Rhodes, in extramurals,
work, etc, etc. are critical to giving the reader a thorough account of just what you can do in
work because of your skills. This section is very important and must be particularly well
developed, thorough, comprehensive and detailed.
Choose the headings to your various SKILL CATEGORIES (Communication, Leadership,
Computer, etc.) carefully and make sure they focus on or mirror the work you intend doing.
E.g. Skills for a job in Marketing will be different to those (say) for a career in Psychology
although there will always be an overlap. For example ‘communication skills’ are critical to both
Marketing & Psychology but in different ways?
REFEREES
Referees should
Interpersonal, Communication and Presentation Skills: be chosen with
Computer Skills: care and should
NB These are only examples of
General Skills:
be appropriate to
Headings you may have in the Skills
section of your theCV.purpose
Choose your of
own to suit your your CV: if
needs and it’sthe
CAREER OBJECTIVE purpose of this CVVac Work it
should be people
who can vouch
NB for your ability “to
As an undergraduate students you should give a clear, focused and realistic getaccount
stuck inof how
andyou
intend to manage and extend your career development while in Tertiarycontribute”.
Education andIfwhat for
you’d like to do on graduating (Postgraduate Study, Work, etc.)
a Bursary, it’s
If you are in Final Year and about to graduate or have already graduated then this should
people whobecan about
the Entry Level job you intend applying for, not about what you want to do forvouch
the whole
for your life!!
of your
This is obviously a very important part of your CV, possibly the most important
academic part!?
ability,
dedication, focus,
etc.
 START YOUR ‘STORY CV’ WRITING CAREER OBJECTIVE HERE
Your referees
should be chosen
according to the
 are making.

REFEREES
1 Mr J P Herman Education Planning Division
Superintendent of Education Western Cape Education Department
P O Box 900
8000 CAPE TOWN
: (021) 483-3161
: jp@westcape.co.za

2 Mr D Brett Supervision Food Services

Regional Director P O Box 2336
7740 CLAREINCH
: (021) 683-4532
: db@superfood.co.za

 Copyright: M. R. N. Wetmore - 2002

SAMPLE COVER LETTER
2 Tamarisk Court
ADDRESS: Make sure that the address is complete, full and Longmore Crescent
absolutely correct in every respect, especially spelling, 7441 Edgemead
person’s name & initials, company name in full, etc. : (021) 58-9239
 : sbanks@ru.ac.za
18 March 1994
Mr X. Y. Z. Bloggs
Human Resource Partner Handwrite in b l u e ink to
Ace Pty. Ltd. make it more personal.
PO Box 3370
2000 Johannesburg HEADING: Give a detailed heading of what you
are applying for and where you saw it advertised
Dear Mr Bloggs – correct in every detail.

APPLICATION FOR CANDIDATE ATTORNEY POSITION, 1995

I wish to apply to your firm for a position as a candidate attorney as from January 1995. In support of
my application I enclose the following documents:

1. Curriculum Vitae NB In italics (Full or Abridged, whichever is appropriate)

2. Abridged Curriculum Vitae Only send appropriate
3. Supporting Documents documents, purposefully PARAGRAPH: This paragraph
Senior Certificate chosen. should contain information on
High School Personal Report why you are interested in the
Statement of University Academic Record Position and what recommends
Testimonial from Legal Aid Director you for it in terms of your
Testimonial from Supervision Food Services education / training, skills, work
I am particularly keen to work for XYZ because of …… experience, etc.

Should you require anything further of me in order to make an informed judgement to interview, please
do not hesitate to contact me at the above address.
MOTIVATION TO STUDY TOWARDS A CAREER IN LAW/BUSINESS/etc. (as appropriate!)
My decision to qualify for a career in
This paragraph should give well developed information on why and where you are coming from for
the work and career you have prepared for and the job you are applying for.

EXTRAMURAL INVOLVEMENT AND WORK EXPERIENCE TO DATE

I have been fortunate to work …
Give a well developed paragraph on how your extramural activities, work and experience (in its broadest
sense) to date recommends and equips you for the position you are applying for: knowledge, skills,
experience, etc.

CONCLUSION / DETERMINATION TO GIVE OF MY BEST (or some other suitable heading to the final paragraph)
I am committed to …

Develop a conclusion that brings everything together and shows your interest and enthusiasm for the
position and that you look forward to hearing from them regarding the next step. Try to indicate that
you are keen to accommodate them should you be invited to an interview. This is a most difficult
paragraph to write, get right and find the correct pitch without sounding too eager for the position.

Yours sincerely,
SIGNATURE: Sign in BLUE fountain
Susan Banks pen ink, and not in ballpoint!
Susan Banks (Ms NB No “Mr” if you are male!)  Copyright: M. R. N. Wetmore - 2002