Master CV: How to Make it Punchy Enough

If you want to continue your studies at the University in the field of your choice, you must in this case make a competition to be taken among so many candidates. And among the application files you have to put together, there is what is called the “Master CV”. This is not a CV used to find a job, but rather to detail your assets and skills compared to others in order to be accepted. The resume is the first successful step towards landing your dream job. A successful resume can tell a great story about your career and achievements. Get ahead of the competition with the help of these Resume google slides presentation templates. Here’s how to write it successfully.

What is a CV Master ?

If you haven’t heard of the Master’s CV yet, then this is for you. Some countries, especially in Europe, require students who wish to continue their studies in higher education to put together a file that details their personal and professional assets to prove their merit to this status of “University”. This means that it is not only your grades that count to get into university but also your qualities.

In order to succeed, you must do your best to convince the jury through your Master CV. In this guide to writing resume, we advise you how to do this and what information to include. Indeed, it is through this type of CV that juries can judge the credibility of your career path in relation to your choice of study branch, but also the legitimacy of your professional project for the future.

More than a job search, you have to be very careful in writing such a resume because if you don’t pass interesting, you can say goodbye to your studies because you won’t be able to be admitted to the University.

When to write a Master CV?

As mentioned above, the Master’s CV is one of the applications for university entrance exams. But you can also use it to look for small vacation jobs or internships, and even during your first job search. 

In general, it is wise to create a Master CV in certain circumstances:

• If you wish to study abroad or apply for an international position: your Master CV can be the subject of a Europass CV or written in English depending on the destination chosen. To increase your chances of being accepted, include a cover letter in English with your Master’s CV to convince your recruiter or juries that you are fluent in this international language;
• If you are looking for funding for your studies: here, the Master CV is considered a student CV or a summer job CV;
• If you want to find an internship in your field of study: the Master CV will be considered as an internship CV;
• And if you want to do a Master’s degree in another university.

But that’s not all. This list is not exhaustive. There are many other cases for which the writing of a Master CV is required and indispensable. 

What does a Master CV look like?

As with the writing of a job resume, it is important to be as professional as possible when writing a Master’s resume in order to convince. You have to work on your presentation and structure. In this case, you must know what the juries are looking for in you. 

Since it is a study CV, focus on your training, internships, and interests instead of your professional skills. Ideally, you should emphasize the continuity between these three headings. Keep in mind that juries receive hundreds of Master’s resumes. But not all of these applications will be accepted.

For the presentation and structure of a Master CV, the golden rules are the following:

• One page is enough;
• Only a professional font with a readable size;
• A well-spaced out, well-ventilated and well-structured page layout;
• A CV in PDF format so that the jury does not have to change anything inexpertly;
• As few logos, abbreviations, signs and icons as possible;
• And only standard, neutral colors.

As for the presentation and the actual writing, don’t make your sentences too long and boring. This is not an essay but a record of your background. Writing in simple, clear and concise sentences reflects that you are quite professional even as a student. And that is already a quality that is beyond reproach. 

When listing your training, internships and skills/experiences, list them in anti-chronological order, i.e. from the most recent to the oldest, so as not to bore the juries in their reading. In the header, choose a rather original but very convincing title and continue with your personal details including your first and last name, your current address and email address, and your phone number. It all counts. 

Forget the photo. The Master’s CV does not require a photo, especially since it is a competitive application. Then, put a few catchphrases that talk about your motivations, your professional project and your specialties that make you a good student in the field of study of your choice. 

The study path

Now let’s get to the heart of the matter, your CV: your background. This section is the central element of your Master’s CV, since it is here that the qualities and important information that juries are looking for will be cited. 

In this section, start by listing the start and end dates of each of the programs you have completed. If you don’t remember the exact dates, simply list the years or by the years you graduated. Also include the names of the institutions that awarded you the degrees and the city. 

For more details, add other equally important elements such as your study options, languages you master, results you have obtained from your past group projects, etc. 

Regarding diplomas, avoid mentioning patents because they are not important anymore. Instead, talk about your study abroad experience if you have had any, or your future career plans.