Internship Training · Career level

Career level · Module 2: CV, Portfolio and Interview Preparation · Lesson 1 of 3

Writing a One-Page CV

Write a clear, honest one-page CV that shows a host organisation what you can do.

In this lesson you will

  • Structure a CV with profile, skills, training and experience
  • Describe skills with evidence rather than adjectives

Key concepts

CVprofile statementevidenceaction verb

The lesson

A CV is read in under a minute. One page is enough for an intern: contact details, a short profile, skills, training, experience (including volunteering and projects) and references available on request.

Show, do not tell. 'Hardworking and honest' is not evidence; 'Repaired and documented 12 laptops during training, including RAM upgrades' is. Start lines with action verbs — built, repaired, designed, analysed, organised.

Tailor the CV to the specialization: put the most relevant skills and projects first. Never invent qualifications or experience; host organisations check.

Step by step

  1. Collect your training, projects and experience.
  2. Write a two-line profile for your specialization.
  3. Rewrite each item as an action with evidence.
  4. Fit everything on one page and check spelling.
Before and after

From a vague CV entry to evidence

The same training experience described two ways.

Before

Adjectives and duties, no evidence.

  • Hardworking, honest and good with computers
  • Attended computer maintenance course
  • Responsible for fixing computers
  • Good communication skills

After

Actions, numbers and results.

  • Computer Maintenance training, Rescue Academy, Juba (2026)
  • Diagnosed and repaired 12 laptops, including RAM and SSD upgrades, with a written service record for each
  • Installed and configured Windows on 6 machines for a partner school
  • Presented a preventive-maintenance plan to school staff

What changed and why

  1. Adjectives were replaced with actions that prove the qualities.
  2. Numbers show the scale of work.
  3. Each line names the result, not just the duty.
  4. Training is listed with provider, place and year.

Practice activity

Write your one-page CV for your chosen specialization and exchange it with a classmate for review.

Expected result: A one-page, evidence-based CV with no spelling errors.

Check your understanding

  1. Why is 'Repaired 12 laptops' stronger than 'good with computers'?

    Show answer

    It gives specific evidence of a skill that the reader can believe and check.

Taught live by an instructor — online or in person. Free course lessons are for self-study and do not lead to a certificate — see registration options.