EXAMPLES OF NON-WORK EXPERIENCES THAT CAN BE USED AS A BASIS

OF RELEVANT AND IMPRESSIVE EXPERIENCE, INSTEAD OF WORK-

RELATED EXPERIENCES.
Fill in the following tables*. It will be easier for you to compose your CV if you
research your skills and experiences first.

 Have you ever done anything from this list? Try to

remember.
 If yes: When? Where? Describe the situation.
 Why was this experience important in your life?
 What did you learn from this experience?
Tick Non-work experience
 What skills did you obtain?
 How well did you perform?
 Did you obtain any official certificate?
 Do think this knowledge and these skills will be useful
in your career?
voluntary work
fund-raising
grants and funding
applications
committee membership of
societies and clubs
organising things - at school,
college, university, local
community
campaigning for a cause
collecting things
making things
running a part-time business
teaching and helping people
caring for people
creating things - art, writing,
photography, sculpture, etc
languages
sports and fitness
games and competitions
organising events and
outings
entertaining and performing
computers and telecoms
music and singing
theatre and dance
local politics and trade union
activities / responsibilities
becoming expert and
accumulating knowledge in
anything
reading
travel
1
thinking and philosophising
meditating and religious
pursuits
overcoming personal
difficulties

2
MARKETABLE PERSONALITY TRAITS

 Do you think you have any of these traits? Think carefully.

Tick.
Tick Personal traits
 If yes: Can you provide any reasonable and persuasive
proof from your life? Describe in details.

Task-Oriented Skills
Accurate
Adaptable
Ambitious
Analytical
Artistic talent
Awareness (i.e., of
market trends)
Capable
Clear-thinker
Commitment to
growth
Competent
Conscientious
Cooperative
Creative
Dedicated
Dependable
Eager
Efficient
Energetic
Enterprising
Eye for detail
Farsighted
Flexible
Gets things done right
the first time
Goal directed
Good judgment
Hard worker
High achiever
High energy
Highly motivated
Honest
Imaginative
Independent
Industrious
Innovative
Leadership ability
Loves a challenge
Loyal
Manages time
efficiently
Methodical

3
 Meticulous
Motivated
Optimistic
Orderly
Organized
Perfectionist
Persistent
Problem solver
Productive
Punctual
Quick learner
Realistic
Reliable
Resourceful
Risk taker
Self-motivated
Sense of humor
Sensitive
Serious
Shrewd
Sincere
Team player
Through
Trustworthy
Verbal
Versatility
Visionary
Works well under
pressure

People-Oriented Skills
Ability to motivate
others
Congenial
Cooperative
Courteous
Diplomatic
Eloquent
Excellent
communication skills
Friendly
Generous
Gets along well with
others
Good listener
Helpful
Leadership qualities
Optimistic
Outgoing
Patience
Sense of humor
Sensible
Supportive
Sympathetic
Team worker
4
Tolerant of others
Understanding

5
*Try to use action verbs and bullet points:
Example:
 Hired and trained twenty-four assistant managers in a one-year period.
 Created successful questionnaire for evaluating work activities of numerous personnel.
 Received “Manager of the Year Award” 1991.

ACTION WORDS
Planned Designed Selected

Devised Researched Trained

Achieved Analyzed Taught

Developed Discovered Explained

Liaised (spell it right!) Recommended Presented

Evaluated Tested Conducted

Supervised Diagnosed Distributed

Co-ordinated Budgeted Organized

Managed Monitored Solved

Administered Evaluated Represented

Controlled Examined Persuaded

Selected Assessed Calculated

Created Promoted Completed

Instructed Sold Arranged

Negotiated Advised Responsible for