How to Prepare Your Curriculum Vitae

The process of writing a curriculum vitae can be an exhil- arating experience because it generates a heightened degree of pride in your accomplishments as well as an increased awareness of your skills. Begin the process with enthusiasm and a desire to share information about your- self. If you approach this process with anxiety or uncer- tainty about its efficacy, writing a curriculum vitae will not be a pleasurable experience. If you are like most individuals, you will probably experience a mixture of emotions ranging from noncha- lance to denial of the need to prepare a CV. You will prob- ably have emotional highs and lows that will affect every aspect of the work to be accomplished. It is essential to recognize that your feelings about yourself have much to do with the degree of confidence with which you approach and effectively complete this process. Therefore, a little emotional introspection may well be in order. View the process of preparing an effective CV as more than merely recording your educational and work back- ground. Instead, make it an intensely satisfying experi- ence by critically reflecting upon your life. In this frame of mind, then, consider the following exercises as a means of developing an emotional and intellectual foundation that will take you on an investigative course in the prepa- ration of your CV. Return to this chapter whenever you need support in this effort. Keep in mind, however, that revisions, additions, and clarifications will occur naturally as your work progresses. On the following pages you will find exercises that will assist you in exploring the emotional dimension of pre- paring your curriculum vitae. Since preparing to write a CV must begin with emotional reflection, we highly rec- ommend that you articulate those emotions in a effort to anchor them. As you do so, you will generate confidence and a frame of mind conducive to successfully creating an effective CV. To begin, find a quiet place and allow your- self sufficient time to reflect on the emotional and intel- lectual dimensions of preparing your CV. Use the space provided below each exercise to record your reactions

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