Write Your CV

How to Write a Good CV?

2008-04-15T11:12:00.000-07:00

In CV heading you can write your general information:

Name
Surname
Local address
E-mail address
Phone number

(If applying for an overseas job, please remember to include your international dialling code.) Include your mobile/cell phone number if you are going to relocate soon.

CV Skills Summary
The Skills Summary section of your CV includes your main skills. You should only include keywords in his section, do not go into lengthy descriptions of your skills. The skill summary is also called personal profile.

CV Objective

The CV Objective, sometimes also referred to as CV Personal Profile states "What is my next step in my career?" This should be a short, concise statement that informs the employer what kind of position you are looking for. The type of position, the role (managerial, supervisor, contractor) should be included as well.

If you are job hunting it is a good idea to have several CV's with different profiles or objectives. For example, you can have a CV for a sales supervisor and the other for a shop floor manager. Your 'sales supervisor' CV can highlight achievements in this area, the CV would be tuned to that particular in terms of job descriptions and achievements.
Education on your CV

List all your qualifications in this section. Include all of your education including certifications from non-academic institutions, especially those that are related to this job vacancy. If you have more work experience than qualifications, put your work experience before your qualifications.
Tell me more about writing the Accomplishments & Work Experience in my CV.

Technical Cover Letter-Example

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Technical Resume-Example

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Technical Resume-Example

Technical Resume-Education Part

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You have a number of options regarding the information that you may want present. Usually, the further away from the college courses or degree the less information you present.

Experience is almost always a better seller than education, unless you are in an Academic field. Therefore as you gain more experience, focus less on your experience. With the exception of entry level professionals, the education section should fall below the experience section.

Information that is required:

The name of the degree or certification
The institution where you received the degree or training

Information that is ideal to include:

The date you received the degree, certification or training (unless you received the degree over 20 years ago)

The city, state and sometimes country of the institution.

Graduating with honors or Cum Laude

Information that you may include:

GPA. Make sure to also include the scale (3.5/4.0). Do not include if your GPA is B average or below. (mostly used for less experienced job seekers or students)

Other honors affiliated with your performance

Social, athletic and academic organizations

Scholarships and academic awards

Listing of key courses (only recommended for entry-level)

Other sections - You will often see a number of other sections within the resume. Of course some of those sections are reserved for specific fields and professions. For example, you will always see a list of publications in the resume of an Author or Writer. But for the IT resume here are a few sections that you may want to include IF they quality is of information presented is of a high degree.

Professional Affiliations - The Project Management Institute (PMI) is a good example of a high profile organization in the field of Project Management and membership is highly regarded. I would not recommend adding this section if the extent of your professional affiliations is something like.... Member of the South Orange Country Computer Users Club.

Publications - Again this is straightforward. Only provide this information if your work was published within well know publication in your field. If you are highly published, it is often a good idea to create a separate document as an addendum to your resume.

Volunteer Work - Sometimes IT professionals set up significant systems within local organizations. In this case, it may be a good idea to add this content, but it really depends on the extent of your career and the level of effort involved in your volunteer work.
Other options to be wary of:

Be careful when adding information about your race, religion or sexual orientation. For the most part they should play no bearing on your ability to perform the job. There are a few exceptions, such as if your experience was primarily setting up information systems for Christian Churches and you are a member of a Christian organization. By all means, you should include that information. In these situations, let common sense prevail.

In most cases, avoid adding the interests, sports and hobbies. If you are too the point of adding this information, you should seriously consider the detail in your work experience or the overall length of your resume. I know it sounds good to talk about how you were the golfing champion at your country club, but unless you are prepared to only accept jobs where you can be the star on the company golf team, you should probably leave that information out.

Overall length of the resume is a highly debated topic. It is very difficult to generally recommend a specific length for a resume without knowing anything about an individual's career. For people with limited experience, a 1-page resume is ideal. For those with substantial careers a 2-page resume is necessary to document experience. For IT Contractors its often ideal to break down details of each specific project and 3-4 pages are necessary. These days, it is more common to see longer resumes, especially in the complex IT industry and especially since it is much more common to electronically distribute resumes. You really need to weigh the positives of quality information vs. the negatives of excessive information.

In summary, the technical resume should accomplish these goals:

Introduce yourself with compelling, detailed information using brief statements that summarize your career.

Identify your key areas of technical expertise and IT skills sets.

Document the scope of your work experience.

Demonstrate your past success through statements of achievement.

Define your training and education.

Utilize action verbs and action oriented statements.

Above all else --- GENERATE INTERVIEWS.

It cannot be stressed enough. If your resume generates interviews, don't change it. The resume is a tool and these guidelines can help you build a more effective tool for generating interviews. However, there is no secret system or no 100% guarantees. These guidelines are based on research and personal experience of our technical resume writers, based on what has been successful for the majority of IT job seekers. And remember, the resume is not the only tool you have to generate interviews. You also need a good, aggressive job search plan along with a strong initiative to succeed.

IT Resume - IT Experience Section

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IT Resume - IT Experience Section

The experience section is made up of headings, statements of responsibility and statements of achievement.

The Heading - this should include at minimum:

Name of the Company you worked for
Location of the Company (City, ST) - Sometimes Country or Province
Your Job Title
Dates of Employment

Optionally, you could include multiple titles if applicable and also include a description of your company, which is highly recommended. It is acceptable to use only the year as the date and eliminate months. This is an effective way of hiding gaps in employment. If your work history is consistent then it is recommended to use months. If you have a number of jobs that lasted less than 1 year, it will be difficult to eliminate months without confusing the reader.

Statements of Responsibility - Much like the headline statement in the introduction and summary, you will want to build an opening statement that identifies the overall scope of your responsibilities. The following statements then support the opening statement and provide further details regarding your key duties. Example:

"Develop and implement financial software in support of company's flagship product. Coordinate with accounting staff to define requirements. Design software architecture. Develop software code using C, C++ and Java. Manage projects for implementation of applications. Train staff members on software utilization and provide ongoing software support."

For hands on IT professionals, you can also list key technologies that you worked with in the position, especially if those technologies are critical for obtaining your next job.

Achievements - After developing statements of responsibility, you should now document a few achievements. Your achievements are what set you apart from your competition. They help differentiate your resume from other applicants and they demonstrate that you have been successful in previous positions.

Ideally, statements of achievements should be written in the form of ACTION - RESULT. State the action, then state the positive result. If possible, try to quantify your results. Example:

* Developed application for accounting and reporting system that automated posting to the General Journal, saving $5 million in annual paper expense while increasing overall productivity.
Achievements don't always have to be in the form of action result. Other achievements can document awards, completion of training, promotions, or prominent roles (such as being selected as chair member of emerging technologies). Also, you can build statements to simply highlight key technologies or areas of technology.

Formatting duties and achievements can be done in several ways. The preferred style is to build a paragraph of duties and then bullet point the achievements below. This style really allows you to separate the 2 types of statements and helps to highlight the achievements.

Tips for developing your experience section:

1. Experience should be written in reverse-chronological format (most current job positions first). For the most part, order of items in the experience section reflect order of importance to the reader. The heading is necessary to identify critical job information. Then it is important to state your scope of work. Then highlight achievements. The order of statements within the paragraph of responsibilities should also be determined by importance. Therefore, build the opening statement and follow that statement with the next most important responsibility. Follow the same logic when listing statements of achievement.

2.. Try to start statements with action verbs (design, develop, implement, deploy, create, lead, manage, coordinate). Avoid using the same action verbs within each job, but if that is not possible, at least avoid using the same action verb in consecutive statements. Develop this, develop that, develop this, develop that.... its poor writing, reflects laziness and shows a lack of creativity. Also try to avoid the two dreaded vanilla statements (Duties included..... and Responsible for.....).

3. Make statements detailed, but don't go overboard. Brief and detailed is ideal. Even if you have 1 bullet point, don't be afraid to break it down into multiple sentences.

4. Avoid using first person pronouns (I, me, my). Also avoid using too many articles (a, an, the). The resume is not a novel or publication. Statements are meant to be quick and descriptive. This strategy really helps maintain attention of readers who quickly scan the resume. Imagine the statement above filled with articles and first person pronouns.

"I developed an application for the accounting and the reporting system that automated the posting to the General Journal, saving $5 million in annual paper expense while I increased the overall productivity."

5. Length is a matter of judgment. It really depends on how much experience you have, the level of detail involved in your job, and volume of achievements. But.... it would be highly recommended that you limit yourself to 5-10 statements of responsibility and 2-8 statements of achievement. As you start building descriptions of previous work history, you should start cutting back the level of detail. Each job should be progressively shorter as the you work your way from current to previous positions.

6. Consider dropping experience past 20 years and you should even consider just listing the headings (without descriptions) for "old" experience, especially if it has limited value.

This job is in technology, so it should be listed. But, why waste the space to build up a description of this job? For one, the job duration was only 1 year. For two, the job is not even within the field of Software Engineering. It's only significance is documenting career progression and overall length of IT experience. Most people do not have a career that is this straightforward, so the decision is much more difficult. Just ask yourself this --- "how much of an impact will this job have on my ability to market myself for a new position?" It just makes no sense to build up lengthy descriptions of previous somewhat insignificant jobs while cutting information from very significant current positions.

IT Resume - IT Skills Section

2008-02-28T22:12:00.000-08:00

IT Resume - IT Skills Section

The IT Skills section is something that you may not see in non-IT resumes, but is almost absolutely necessary in the technical resume, with exception of executives or high level managers who may choose to leave this section out.

For hands-on IT professionals this is critical. For example lets look at a software engineer. There is a major difference between the type of jobs available for a software developer OOAD engineers, database developers and firmware developers are all very different jobs using different technologies. We need to make that clear to employers that you possess a knowledge of specific technologies.

The goal is to develop a detailed outline of your technical skills and break it down into subcategories. This will make it easier for the reader to pick up the specific skills they are looking for.

A good general breakdown would include 5 categories of skills sets: Operating Systems, Hardware, Software, Networking and Programming Languages. A basic example of an IT Resume Technical Skills Section:

Systems: Windows (2000, 2003), UNIX, Linux

Hardware: Servers, Hubs, Routers, Switches, PC's

Software: MS Office Suite, MS SQL Server, Visio

Networking: TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, WINS, Ethernet, Token Ring

Languages: Visual Basic, C, C++, HTML, JavaScript

Of course the subheadings that you choose should reflect the key areas of your field. Often times, network engineers will not have a languages section and software engineers won't have a networking section.

Also, its a good idea to break down the IT skills section into more than just 5 subsections. I have seen this done effectively with up to 10 subsections, although I think going above 10 is overdoing it. For example, a specialized software engineer could build an IT skills section using these subcategories: Programming Languages, Operating Environments, Hardware,

API's/Frameworks, Databases, Development Utilities and Applications.

Tips for building the IT Skills Section

1. Be reasonable about the subcategories and don't build so many that you have only 1 or 2 skill sets listed in the subcategory. For one, it tends to make you look weak in that category. For two, it tends to take up too much space and may be forcing you to cut quality information from other portions of the resume.

2. Be reasonable about what you are listing. I have seen resumes with an entire page full of technical skills. This is counterproductive as it makes it extremely difficult for the reader to find what they are looking for. Stick the key technologies and eliminate skills sets that are either insignificant or so old that no one uses the technology anymore. That's not to say that you should eliminate ALL legacy technologies as sometimes they may be beneficial if the company is planning to migrate to a newer technology. Use logic and your better judgment to decide. 25-30% of the page is an ideal length for the IT skills section.

3. There are multiple options for formatting the IT skills section. The style above is popular and takes up less room. You can also list the headings on top and the skills below. Use the style that you prefer

IT Resume-Summary

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IT Resume Writing Guide outlines the concept of building a summary.

In this section we will go over the types of statements that can be used in the IT Resume Summary; provide examples of statements that can be used in the IT Resume Summary; and describe how the summary can be used to quickly grab the readers attention and help promote the reader to call you for a job interview.

IT Resume - Summary

The summary will follow the introductory statement. The summary will consist of anywhere from 3 to 10 supporting statements that provide more details about your experience and/or training. These statements should reflect key areas that you feel are strong requirements for the job position. The statements should be compelling, detailed, yet easy to follow.

Let us take a look at some statements that we may want to include in our example:

Over 20 years of experience developing software for large multi-national financial organizations, credit card corporations and banking institutions.

The above statement would further document your experience by identifying your years of experience and industry expertise.

Sun Java 2 Certified professional with deep understanding of object-oriented design and extensive experience building software in C++ and Java.

The above statement would highlight a key certification and highlight your areas of expertise within your field.

Proven ability to lead and motivate high performance teams.

This would be considered a statement of personal strength. In this statement you are informing the reader that you can lead teams and you have had success doing so in the past.

History of building software systems with improved functionality and productivity, consistently meeting critical requirements.

This is a good example of a strong closing statement that documents that you have achieved success in your field in previous positions.

Format - Generally, there a number of ways to format the summary, but in this guide we will talk about 2 formats, general format and executive format. First the general format, which tends to be less formal and easier to read.

A results-driven Developer with demonstrated success in the design, development and deployment of large-scale enterprise applications for the financial industry.

Over 20 years of experience developing software for large multi-national financial organizations, credit card corporations and banking institutions.

Sun Java 2 Certified professional with deep understanding of object-oriented analysis and design with extensive experience building software in C++ and Java.

Proven ability to lead and motivate high performance teams.

History of building software systems with improved functionality and productivity, consistently meeting critical requirements.

Secondly, the executive format, which is commonly used by professionals targeting leadership positions. In this format, the summary statements will follow the headline in a paragraph.

A results-driven Software Developer with demonstrated success in the design, development and deployment of large-scale enterprise applications for the financial industry. Over 20 years of experience developing software for large multi-national financial organizations, credit card corporations and banking institutions. Sun Java 2 Certified professional with deep understanding of object-oriented analysis and design with extensive experience building software in C++ and Java. Proven ability to lead and motivate high performance teams. History of building software systems with improved functionality and productivity, consistently meeting critical requirements.

Technical Resume Writing

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Technical Resume Writing

This site is designed to provide free helpful information on resume writing in the Information Technology industry. The site information, articles, guides, resume examples and cover letter samples have been prepared by professional resume writers that specialize in IT resume writing.

The free Technical Resume Writing Guide is designed to help you develop a professional quality technical resume. The guide includes strategies that are specific to the IT job sector, tips for hands-on IT professionals and ideas for structuring the resume. The specialized technical resume is designed to help you market yourself to employers an d generate more job interviews. General IT Resumes are for professionals in:

*Software Engineering, Programming, Software Development
*Network Engineering, Hardware Design, Network Administration
*IT Consulting, Project Management, Project Lead
*Technology Executive Management, Program Management
*Systems Analysis, Systems Design
*Technical Support, PC Tech, Help Desk
*Database Design, Database Adminstration
*Web Development, Graphic Design

In the Technical Resume Samples section you will find posted copies of professionally written technical resume examples and technical cover letter examples. You can use the examples to generate ideas on phrasing statements in the summary or body of the resume; using statements with power verbs; or even just learning the outline. You can also use the technical resume examples as a guideline for structuring your IT resume.

Job Specific Resume

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Job Specific Resumes

Your resume is like a 30 second commercial—you need to convince a hiring manager to “buy” you and your future potential, and 30 seconds is about how long it takes to say “yes” or “no” to your resume—and to you. To get help creating your 30-second chance at being hired, click on the links below to see suggestions about writing resumes for specific industries. If the job you’re looking for is not in the list below, select something close and use a similar format. You can also consult the many sample resumes and found throughout this site.

All job-specific resumes should follow the general guidelines for resume writing provided in this site. Select Resume Articles for “Six Steps to a Blockbuster Resume.” In this article you’ll read about a proven process for creating any resume. You will see a variety of resume articles listed on that page. And on the pages below, read abut why creating job-specific resumes is so important to landing that interview you want.

And don’t forget about cover letters for your resume. There are lots of cover letter tips and cover letter samples available to help you make sure your letter and resume will get noticed.

Resume

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Resumes

On this site you'll find all you need to know about writing and distributing resumes and cover letters that will knock the socks off the recruiters, HR people and computers (yes, computers!) that read your resume. We'll tell you something about job searches and job interviews, a lot about tools and resources for resume-writing, and we'll give you criteria for selecting someone to help you write a great resume.

You'll read about free sample resumes and professional resume examples, resume cover letters, templates and formats; resume posting and resume blasting -- all the resume help and tips you will need to design, write, post and distribute professional or professional-quality resumes and cover letters. All of this is designed for one purpose -- to help you develop a resume that will make you stand out from that crowd of other job seekers.

What's This About eResumes?So why are we called eResumes.com? ("e," by the way, stands for "electronic" in Internet lingo). Because (almost) all resumes are now e-resumes. Employers expect to get your resume via email, or from an electronic bulletin board, or through use of an electronic form (where you paste your resume after answering endless questions and hope that the resume's formatting will still be there). Or they might even go to your web page to see your e-portfolio that contains video clips and photos of your most recent work-related project.

Appearance

Along with effective organization, appearance can make or break your resume. When creating a super resume, keep these points in mind:

Fonts. Whether you e-mail, fax, or mail your resume to prospective employers, you should try to keep your font plain and easy to read. And select a reasonable size--anywhere between 9 and 12 points should be acceptable. We suggest using a sans serif font like Arial or Verdana, not Times New Roman. These will come out much clearer in faxes.

Formatting. Just because you have Microsoft Word and all of its formatting capabilities, your resume doesn't have to look like a Caribbean vacation brochure. Myriad fonts, colors, and graphic embellishments don't really help, so use minimal and purposeful formatting. Simple bullets will best separate your duties and skills; use bolding and italics sparingly. Formatting should highlight your accomplishments, not draw attention away from them. Less, in this case, is definitely more.

Paper. Even if you don't snail-mail your resume to employers, you should have hard copies on hand to bring to interviews. These copies should be on tasteful resume-quality paper. White, off-white, cream, and gray are the easiest to read. Just like your socks, your cover letters, mailing envelopes, and resumes should all match.

Content

Now that you know how to organize your resume and what it should look like, you need to know what to put in it. Click on action verbs to see a list.

Action words. When describing your prior job experience and duties, use active language. Instead of starting your sentence with a noun, start with an active, descriptive, impressive verb. For example: "Customer Service Representative. Assisted customers with product selection, trained and supervised 15 new employees, organized special promotional events." Don't think of this as a term paper--action verbs and flowery language required.

Numbers. That's right, we said numbers. Always include numbers, percentages, and dollar amounts in your job descriptions to back up your achievements. How many people did you supervise? How much money did you raise? How many wild bears did you feed during your stint at the zoo? How much did party favor sales increase under your direction? This approach immediately highlights the kind of impact you've made Length. Keep it to one page. No one wants to scan through two or more pages of your long-winded accomplishments and experience. If it doesn't all fit--which it won't, unless you're a recent college grad with no experience--cut it down to the most relevant and impressive items. You should tailor your resume to match the job description, so be sure to cut and paste accordingly.

CV Posting Tips

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Short sentences are easy to scan, especially given many recruiters have just 10 seconds to read it.

Use standard typefaces such as Arial, 11 or 12 points.

Check and re-check spelling in your resume / CV Text. .

Ensure your personal details are printed by all printers ? not in the header/footer.

Dates and employment should be easily found and consistent in resume.

Lead with achievements, use active verbs and positive language.

Follow up all claims with proven examples, be quantitative as well as qualitative.

Use email addresses where referees are abroad.

Include awards or recognition received for work well done, together with professional memberships and relevant training.

Keep your CV honest and factual.

Ensure every line sells you at your best.

Prioritise relevant content in your resume.

Focus on what you have to offer the employer rather than listing what you have done.

Ask trusted colleagues and friends if this is an accurate representation of you.

Do not

Date your CV.

Put your irrelevant personal details first i.e date of birth and nationality.

Mention Salaries.

It is not necessary to put reason for leaving.

Include negative or irrelevant information.

Lie.

Use Reverse Chronological format if you have many gaps between employment.

Put education first if its 10 years out of date.

List every employer if you have been working.

Allocate the same space to all positions, prioritise the content.

Quote unsubstantiated superlatives.

Modify your CV for every application unless you have a foolproof method of remembering to whom you sent which edition.

Who needs CV ?

2008-02-26T02:52:00.000-08:00

Who Needs A Curriculum Vitae?

A curriculum vitae is often required for those applying to graduate or professional programs, employment with international firms, or when promoting oneself within professional and academic fields.

How Does a Curriculum Vitae Differ From A Regular Resume?A curriculum vitae is longer than the average 1-2 page resume because it provides a greater range of information which can include:

Professional, Vocational or Research Objective

Summary of Qualifications

Professional Licenses or Certifications

Education including Post Graduate, Graduate and Undergraduate Degrees and Studies

Listing of Relevant Course work to Match Career or Academic Objective

Educational or Professional Honors or Awards

Scientific or Academic Research, Laboratory Experience and Related Skills

Description of Thesis or Dissertation, Papers Written, Publications

Academic or Professional Presentations

Related Extracurricular Activities, Professional and Association Memberships

Community Involvement

Work Experience - Paid or Volunteer

Technical and Specialized Skills such as Computer Progamming or Laboratory Instrumentation

Interests - Future Academic or Professional Goals

Travel / Exposure to Cultural Experiences

Foreign Language Skills

Additional Information that May Support Objective or Qualifications

How Do I Get Started?

Writing a curriculum vitae can seem overwhelming but can be made easier by organizing your background. To begin, put each of the headings listed above--and any others that are relevant--at the top of several sheets of paper (using a computer makes this even easier). Once you've done that then begin filling in your information for topics such as those listed above.

CV Writing Mistakes

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Spelling mistakes: It is a proven fact that around 50% of CVs contain spelling mistakes. This easy mistake will make you seem careless and could also distract the reader's attention from the content. It may be worth considering asking a family member or a friend to read your CV and check for mistakes.

Jargon: When writing your CV you may believe that using industry-specific jargon is a good idea and that the person reading your CV will understand it but using acronyms without explaining them can be confusing to the reader and may deter someone who is not familiar with them.

Qualifications: A common mistake in a CV is to detail all your academic history - even from 10-20 years ago whilst also listing all your grades! This is not necessary. On a graduate CV or someone with limited employment history it may be useful, but for others, just briefly cover your qualifications - detailing your most recent achievement and list older ones. If you have vast employment experience spanning many years, the chances are a recruiter will not even read your qualifications.

Employment: When compiling your employment history there is no need to provide the address of your employer - all you need is the company name, your job title and the date you started and finished employment with them. Then, you can talk about your duties and achievements in each position.

Hobbies: Your CV is a personal sales tool. Any available space on a CV is limited and you want to use it to sell your skills and experience effectively. Everyone likes reading, listening to music, keeping fit and socialising with friends, so unless you have done something special - and relevant to the job you are applying for - leave it out!

Too many pages: All too often, employers will receive CVs that are too long! A good CV should be no more than around 2-3 pages (for graduate or more executive positions this may vary). The more there is to read, the less likely it is that all your skills and qualities will be noticed. Try to decipher between what information is relevant to the job you're applying for and what is not.

Unnecessary information: As stressed in the facts above - when compiling your CV, try to keep all the information relevant to the job you are applying for. Unnecessary information will take up much needed space which can otherwise be used to help persuade the reader to continue with your application. Another common mistake people make when writing their CV is including their reason behind leaving previous jobs. Examples of these can be, "I got bored" or "I didn't get on with the Manager". Obviously, this is not necessary, will make you look negative and will decrease your chances of being included on the shortlist.

What is a CV or Curriculum Vitae?

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What is a CV or Curriculum Vitae?

A CV or Curriculum Vitae is a document used to show a persons educational achievements , key skills and work experience. There are a number of standard methods of writing a CV, but basically they contain the same information, just in a different order.

We have several CV layouts to choose from, and these are exclusive to our site. Choose one, choose them all - its all included!

The main reason people write a CV is to get a job, but that's not the only reason. Other reasons include:

Getting into college
Obtaining finance for a new business
Joining a professional association

Whatever reason you have for writing a CV, its important to keep it up to date and also to tailor it for the purpose. Don't forget that a CV will not get you a job. No CV will do that. If you are using your CV to find a new job, a CVs role is to get you to an interview. You can discover more cv tips on this site.

It is important that the CV you write is a truthful representation of your achievements. While some facts may be difficult to validate, things like current salary will be revealed if you join a company, as the HR dept will get a copy of your P60 which shows your earnings to date.

Make sure you can spell CV correctly too! Many common mistakes include:

cirriculum vitae
curriculam vitae
carriculum vitae

curiculum vitae The correct spelling is Curriculum Vitae !

E-Mail Cover Letter-Tips

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Just as certain secrets can help you write a dynamic cover letter, there are also key strategies for sending email cover letters. Here are those strategies.

Don't waste your subject line. Don't ever leave the subject line of your email blank, but don't waste it by just inserting the job number. Instead, use the subject line to entice the reader into your cover letter. For example, for a director of nursing position, say something such as: "experienced nurse for director of nursing position."

Your opening paragraph is critical. More than ever, your first paragraph has to be dynamic; you need to both hook the reader and then sell him or her on your abilities in that first paragraph. See the sample letter (see link below) for a dynamic email opening paragraph.

Keep your cover letter short. Brevity is critical with an email cover letter. Focus on your key selling points. Most experts say that at most, your cover letter should be two to three paragraphs -- and under 150 words. The idea is that your cover letter should not be any longer than one screen in length.

Take advantage of keywords. Use keywords pertinent to the job you are seeking, and focus on key industry buzzwords and critical skills sets. Noun phrases become more important than action verbs. Because your cover letter may be filed into a database, using critical keywords will enhance the likelihood that your cover letter and resume will be retrieved in a future search.

Check your line length. Make sure your lines are no more than 60 characters in length. Some email packages automatically do word wrap for you (much like word processing software), but you should check. You don't want your cover letter to arrive fragmented on multiple lines.

Always use standard cover letter protocol. Just because it's an email, doesn't mean you should abandon standard business letter writing guidelines. Thus, make sure to include a salutation (Dear Ms. Smith) and a standard closing (such as "sincerely"). Leave blank lines between paragraphs. And avoid the use of emoticons, abbreviations, wild colors, and other cool techniques and shortcuts used in everyday emails.

Don't bother with attachments (unless requested to do so). Some companies actually block all emails with attachments; thus, your email would never even be received if you used an attachment.

Technical Resume Writing for Technology Professionals

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Technical Resume Writing for Technology Professionals

The competition for technical jobs is tough. Can your technical resume beat 95% of the competition? Does your resume sell your technical ability effectively? Many technical professionals develop their resume with the help of professional resume writers. If you write your own technical resume, you could be at a disadvantage.Although we have written resumes for technology professionals in a wide variety of specialties, our primary area of technical resume writing is information technology. We understand information technology and believe that we are better qualified to prepare IT resumes and cover letters than most resume writers.

Our certified technical resume writer specializes in writing resumes for software engineers; systems, network, and database administrators; IT managers and executives; voice and data communications engineers; and other technology professionals.

Although our work is backed by the best guarantee in the industry, we have never had to honor the terms of the guarantee because we take a proactive approach to helping our clients obtain technical employment. We provide job search tips and resources, including a list of niche technical job boards most technical professionals have never heard of.

Our technical resumes consistently produce promising interviews within two weeks of use.

Effective Cover Letter

2008-02-26T02:32:00.000-08:00

A few tips to help you produce a superior cover letter:

Just the facts
A cover letter is not an autobiography. It should be short and sweet, brief and to the point. The cover letter and resume should demonstrate that you meet or exceed the requirements listed in the job description, that you are interested in the position, and that you are available. Any additional information is superfluous and can be counterproductive.

Avoid negatives
It’s been said that no politician ever lost an election over a speech that wasn't made. Don't lose the election. This is not the place to explain why you left or are leaving an employer. Negatives are best delivered in person so that your personality and humanity can counter them. If a recruiter or hiring manager likes your resume and wants additional information, she'll schedule an interview.

Avoid providing a salary history
A salary history is more likely to cost you a job than not. If the job ad says that resumes without a salary history will not be considered, give a historical salary range and state that your salary requirements are flexible.

Make your cover letter easy on the eyes
It should be easy to scan and have a logical progression. Bunched up text in long paragraphs will frustrate anyone who has to review hundreds of resumes and cover letters a week. Don't repeat your resume. Your cover letter is not a summary of your resume - listing previous employers and job roles can be counterproductive.

Don't repeat worn platitudes and clichés
Experienced gatekeepers know that almost every candidate promises "excellent written and verbal communication skills", and the ability to "think outside the box" and "juggle multiple tasks" while walking and chewing gum. Be different. Demonstrate your written communication skills by writing a good cover letter.

Offer a solution to their problem
Most employers hire people because the employer needs to accomplish a task—not because they want to provide employment opportunities to the public. Your cover letter should be solution-centric; not "I" centered. Keep the "I would like" stuff to a minimum.

Personalize your cover letter if possible
Your cover letter should be addressed to a specific person whenever indentifying information is available. Form letters insult the reviewer's intelligence and indicate that the writer is broadcasting her resume to every employer or has not made an effort to learn more about the company. Generic/canned cover letters can lead to failure. Even if you do not know the name of the recipient, if you conduct basic research, you can customize the cover letter to suit the position and the company. Tell the reader that you are interested in the company and the position, and why.

Facts of Cover Letter

2008-02-26T02:26:00.000-08:00

Cover Letter Truths

Many resume books will tell you that your cover letter introduces your resume. This is not the case. In fact, more often than not, your resume determines whether the reviewer ever reads your cover letter. The reviewer will read your cover letter only if your resume passes an initial review.Gatekeepers (recruiters, staffing managers, HR managers) are interested in facts not fluff. A resume offers a quicker route to the facts than a cover letter. Most people who review resumes and cover letters for a living quickly learn to discount and ignore a candidate's cover letter unless the resume gives the reviewer a good reason to consider the candidate for an interview.

Important facts you should know about cover letters if you would like to succeed in your job search:

90% of all cover letters are never read, or scanned
Most recruiters and staffing managers will scan your resume first unless your cover letter is brief and is placed in the body of your email or online submission form. If they do not like your resume, they will not read your cover letter. If you have something important to say, say it in your resume unless it does not properly belong in a resume. Your cover letter is not a chance to make a first impression -- it is a second chance to maintain a good impression.

But, the other 10% can sink good resumes
If a recruiter or other gatekeeper reads your cover letter first, and it is poorly written, he or she may decide not to spend any time (not even ten seconds) scanning your resume. On the other hand, a well-written cover letter will persuade the reader to pay special attention to your resume.

So, you must have an outstanding cover letter
If your resume survives a ten second scan, and a thorough review, the recruiter or staffing manager will want to read your cover letter. For this reason, your cover letter must stand out and make a strong positive impression. In short, cover letters are seldom read but you should have one, and it should be superbly written.

Thank You Letter after Interview

2008-02-26T02:23:00.000-08:00

Thank You Letter after Interview

Mr. John Smith,

New York,

Dear Mr. Smith,

I thank you for the opportunity to interview me for the position of a senior Software Engineer. I appreciate your work culture and enjoyed meeting you and members of your staff.

The interview gave me a chance to gauge how compatible my background, interest, and skill-sets are with the goals of Adroit Web Solutions. As we discussed during the interview, my experience as an Associate Software Engineer in ABS, has prepared me well for anticipating, analyzing and resolving logical problems in all areas application development and deployment.

Enclosed along with is the copy of my experience certificates from my last employer. You can contact Mr. Dave Manning, my present employer for want of any clarifications.

I look forward to seeing you again.

Sincerely,

XYZ

Salary Negotiation Before Joining-Letter

2008-02-26T02:18:00.000-08:00

Salary Negotiation Before Joining

Mr. John Smith,

New York,

NY 12345-6789.

Dear Mr. Smith,

From our meeting and phone conversations, I got the privilege to know your company in detail. I am very excited by the prospect of working for National Solutions. Your core development team is among the most impressive I have met in my job search. Your company ethics are clean and your work force efficient.

In short, I am eager to accept your offer and begin working for National Solutions. However, I should be telling you that I have received another offer of employment with Regional Solutions, NY. While everything at your company holds a greater opportunity for me, and my career, I must tell you that they have offered a salary $5000/annum higher than your offer.

Instead of accepting their offer immediately, I wanted to reaffirm my interests in National Solutions and express my hope that we can come to terms on this matter and begin our happy association as soon as possible.

I eagerly await your response.

Sincerely,

XYZ,

Cover Letter Example

2008-02-26T02:16:00.000-08:00

Dear Mr. Smith,

I learned of Solutions through online research using the CareerSearch database through Career Services at Virginia Tech where I am completing my Master's degree in Computer Engineering. From my research on your web site, I believe there would be a good fit between my skills and interests and your needs. I am interested in a software engineering position upon completion of my degree in May 2003.

As a graduate student, I am one of six members on a software development team where we are writing a computer aided aircraft design program for National Space Center. My responsibilities include designing, coding, and testing of a graphical portion of the program for graphics input and output. I have a strong background in computer aided design, software development, and engineering, and believe that these skills would benefit the designing and manufacturing aspects of Template software. Enclosed is my resume which further outlines my qualifications.

My qualifications make me well suited to the projects areas in which your division of Solutions is expanding efforts. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss a position with you, and will contact you in a week or ten days to answer any questions you may have and to see if you need any other information from me such as a company application form or transcripts.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Richard Anderson,

Enclosures:

1. Resume - myresume.doc

Cover Letters for IT Jobs-Example 1

2008-02-26T02:11:00.000-08:00

Cover Letter for IT Jobs

Dear Mr. Smith,

I am writing with reference to your advertisement in the local Employment News magazine for want of a Software Developer. I consider that my credentials and interests match with your requirement and want to apply for the same.

Presently I am deputed as an assistant at ABC for the last two years. During these years I have acquired a very good knowledge of Web technologies (Perl CGI, PHP). My responsibility includes providing back end support for the distributed applications and guiding new trainees through their jobs.

Although I am enjoying my present job, I am looking out for new opportunities in the same field. I will be contacting you on friday, 12th March, to arrange a personal meeting and discuss the prospect.
Regards,

Richard Anderson.

Enclosures:1. Resume - myresume.doc

Writing a Good Cover Letter

2008-02-26T01:49:00.000-08:00

Writing a Good Cover Letter Most cover letters follow the same basic format, but a lot of people need help with cover letters. First, they should be addressed properly at the top, with the name of the person you are writing to, their title, company name, and address. You should also include the date and and RE: (reference) marks as needed, ie, if there was some prior contact or a specific job code you are supposed to mention. Your salutation should be professional.

In your opening paragraph, you should quickly highlight why you are writing - any personal references or contacts you may have that directed you to the company, any special qualifications or experience that make you the perfect candidate for the job, etc. Keep the first paragraph short and to the point - 3 or 4 sentences at most.

The main body of your cover letter should then expound upon the introduction and go into more detail as to your background, education, experience, special industry contacts, and any examples you might provide of your skills or talents that apply to this job. You should try to keep a cover letter to one page, so your body should be perhaps one longer paragraph or two smaller ones - you don't need to spell out your life story here, as there will be plenty to talk about in the personal interview if your cover letter is successful. In the final paragraph, be sure to request an interview or whatever the next step would be, tell them the best way to contact you, and thank the reader for their time. Many people who like the pro-active approach instead say they will be contacting the company at some future time and they look forward to speaking with them. Personally, if I were a hiring manager, the last thing I would want is 50 people threatening to call me when I am not interested in them. It is up to you to decide which approach you are more comfortable with, but clearly the company DOES NOT want to hear from every applicant in person.

Cover Letter Should Contain

2008-02-26T01:45:00.000-08:00

All cover letters should:

Explain why you are sending a resume. Don't send a resume without a cover letter. Don't make the reader guess what you are asking for; be specific: Do you want a summer internship opportunity, or a permanent position at graduation; are you inquiring about future employment possibilities?

Tell specifically how you learned about the position or the organization — a flyer posted in your department, a web site, a family friend who works at the organization. It is appropriate to mention the name of someone who suggested that you write.

Convince the reader to look at your resume. The cover letter will be seen first. Therefore, it must be very well written and targeted to that employer.

Call attention to elements of your background — education, leadership, experience — that are relevant to a position you are seeking. Be as specific as possible, using examples.

Reflect your attitude, personality, motivation, enthusiasm, and communication skills.

Provide or refer to any information specifically requested in a job advertisement that might not be covered in your resume, such as availability date, or reference to an attached writing sample.

Indicate what you will do to follow-up.

Tips for Effective Cover Letter

2008-02-26T01:29:00.000-08:00

The Dos and Don'ts of A Stand-Out Cover Letter

1. Do give the basics: what job you're applying for, the name of the establishment, and so on. Someone might have told you to send the letter to a particular person, so mention your referee by name.

2. Address the cover letter as specifically as possible. Determine who the hiring officer is before replying and applying. Take the time researching on the internet or reading appropriate business periodicals to get the name and title of the hiring official. This will help you get a foot in the door. And NEVER open your letter with Dear Sir or Madam or To Whom It May Concern. At the same time, do use Mr. or Ms. This formality shows respect.

3. If you're replying to an ad mentioning a code or job number, refer to this in your cover letter.

4. Do include something you're not going to include in your r?sum?.

5. Check, check and check again to ensure your letter is typo-free. Ask a friend to be another set of eyes.

6. If you're emailing your letter, make sure your document will open properly as an attachment and that your computer system is virus-free.

7. Always follow up. Give a specific date and time on your cover letter that you'll call the hiring official.

8. Don't be afraid to use a clever gimmick to catch the recruiter's eye.

9. Don't be longwinded. A few succinct sentences will suffice.

10. Don't reiterate your whole r?sum? in a cover letter. An employer will read your r?sum? anyway, if he or she likes your letter, so stick to the high points.

11. Don't over-promise in your cover letter and under-deliver in your r?sum?.

12. Leave the funny fonts and coloured paper at home. Your cover letter should be easy to read.

13. Never use a one-size-fits-all cover letter. Customized approaches always win the interview.

With a little flair and a lot of commonsense, you can ensure you not only get a foot in the door, but an offer on the table for the hospitality job you desire.

Job Application Cover Letter

2008-02-26T01:27:00.000-08:00

Job Application Cover Letter

A cover letter is sent with your CV. It can make the difference between being successful in your job search or not.

Cover letters are generally not read during the first candidate selection, but usually they will be read when the candidates have been short listed. Do not waste such an opportunity.

Always include a cover letter even if the job ad does not specify that one is needed. Occasionally, job ads also specify a hand written cover letter.

Your cover letter should not be a copy of your CV. Specify some of your cover letter achievements and be sure you know how to handle Cover Letter weakness. (Uncertain as to what you're trying to say here).

A cover letter is a way of showing your writing and reporting skills.

Your cover letter should be customised per employer. However, if you are sending a lot of CVs, this task could prove impossible. Try instead to have a cover letter per industry or per area.

Acceptance Letter

2008-02-26T01:26:00.000-08:00

Acceptance Letter

Before sending the acceptance letter, you need to decide if you are going to accept or reject the job offer.

Make Sure You
Know the length of the notice period from your current job.
Understand in which job category you will start.
Have an idea of the organisational structure.
Are aware or have agreed on benefits, performance reviews, moving expenses.
Respond as soon as possible.
Acknowledge the employment offer.
Express your gratitude.

Interview Thank You Letter

2008-02-26T01:21:00.000-08:00

Interview Thank You Letter

Do not over look the thank you letter. It can be very help full to make you stand out from other candidates. In your job search you have to make use of all the tools, and the Interview thank you letter is one of them.

Thank You Letter General Guide Lines

The letter has to be sent before the decision to hire a particular candidate has been made.

It is your last opportunity to mention any information you missed to mention in your CV, Cover Letter or Interview.

Clear up any misunderstandings.

You can use some things you learnt during your interview to your advantage.

This shows you are a professional.

Your last opportunity to leave a good impression.

Send it within one day of the interview.

Letter of inquiry

2008-02-26T01:20:00.000-08:00

Letter of inquiry

A Letter of Inquiry can help you uncover the hidden job market. Sometimes these cover letters are called marketing letters.

A letter of inquiry should be followed up with a phone call as this will increase your chance of getting your "foot in the door". Hopefully such a phone call can lead to a meeting or interview.
Good Letters of inquiry

Inform the reader why you are writing within the first sentence.

Read the how to write a cover letter guide, most of the tips are the same for letters of inquiry.
Have a look at job application cover letter article, it offers a lot of insightful tips on writing job related correspondence.
Highlight creative ideas to generate interest.

Cover Letter

2008-02-26T01:06:00.000-08:00

Cover Letter

A cover letter is a letter that you send to accompany your CV when you apply for job, whether advertised or when you are sending an unsolicited application. Do not over look this tool as it can be a great asset in your job hunt.

Job Application Cover Letter page contains specifics and tips on how to write a cover letter.

There are different types of job related letters

Letter of inquiry: In this type of query you are enquiring about possible job opportunities that fit your skills. You have to give a general area you are interested in working in.

Job Application Cover Letter or Response to an Job Advertisement: Answering a particular job advert. The important thing in the cover letter is to show that your skills match those for the job advert.

Thank You Letter: A thank you letter shows the interest you have in a position you have been interviewed for.

Acceptance Letter: In this letter you state that you are accepting the job offered.

Declination Letter: You inform your employer that you are no longer interested in the position offered.

In all cases make sure you follow the Guide on Writing Job Related Correspondence which gives a plethora of specific tips on writing different types of cover letters.

Write Effective Technical CV

2008-02-26T00:26:00.000-08:00

How to Write a Technical CV

A technical CV is used to highlight particular skills that relate to technical jobs in professions such as IT, Engineering and Science. The key to writing a technical CV is to get the right balance between describing your technical experience and making your CV easily read by a non-technical person such as a Human Resources Assistant. They will be looking for keywords in order to match your CV against a particular vacancy. Therefore, your CV should be clear and concise and written in good English. Technical jargon should be avoided except under the Key Skills and Technical Skills headings.

Do not list every technical skill you have acquired, however impressive they are, as this will distract the reader. Refer to the job vacancy to remind yourself of the skills the employer is looking for.You should always include information about how long ago you last used each of your technical skills as the reader will be looking at how current your knowledge is.

The format of a technical CV should be similar to non-technical from the point of view that it should be laid out under clear headings, no more than two pages of A4 in length and have more white on the page than black to make it easy to read.The employer will be most interested in your technical skills but remember your interpersonal skills are also important especially if the role for which you are applying is client-facing.

You need to capture the attention of the reader as soon as possible so that they are encouraged to read the rest of your CV. Therefore, in your introductory paragraph, usually called the ‘Profile’, you need to mention the technical skills the employer is asking for and any specific experience that relates to the employers business. The Key Skills heading allows you to put more detail of relevant skills, experience and specific projects that will interest the employer. You can also highlight achievements, for example where you have saved the company money.

Your Career History should describe the company that you were working for in a couple of lines to put your role into context. Then describe your role and responsibilities. Remember, focus on the requirements of the job you are applying for and show how you have acquired the necessary skills and experience in previous jobs.You should list specific technical skills and professional courses under a separate heading.

Be concise and put the most relevant skills first.Keep the description of your education brief. If you have a degree you may wish to exclude your lower qualifications altogether. Remember, adding unnecessary information dilutes the important points in your CV.Finally, always include a cover letter explaining where you heard about the role and why your skills and experience are a perfect fit for the job. This can be an email with your CV attached or a formal letter.

Chronological CV

2008-02-26T00:10:00.000-08:00

Chronological CV

The chronological CV is named thus as it details your career history most commonly in reverse chronological order with the most recent employment detailed first and working backwards. A complete record of career history is detailed along with a complete education record. It is the most frequently used CV and is usually 2 sides of A4 in length.

Job Titles and company names are emphasised with skills, duties and achievements detailed under each job title. A chronological CV is most useful if you are staying within the same industry and wish to show career progression.

Additionally, if your employer was a familiar household name, it may be wise to highlight that as often they set a precedent for the type of people they employ so the mere mention of their company name may be enough to demonstrate that you are a high caliber candidate.

Most employers prefer the chronological CV formats, as it is easy to see who you have worked for and what you did in each particular job. If you do not have many achievements you can take the emphasis off this fact when using a Chronological CV.

Reasons why a chronological CV may not be the best format include:

If you are changing direction and the most recent employer is not relevant to your new chosen career.

If your career history shows gaps in your employment due to poor health, unemployment, having children etc or that you have changed jobs frequently.

Targeted CV

2008-02-26T00:05:00.001-08:00

Targeted CV

This kind of CV is a way to focus your career towards a particular objective, within a specific industry or a specific company.

A targeted CV is written in a way that highlights skills, qualifications and experience that match the requirements of the advertised position. Writing a targeted CV is effective when:

You know the requirements of a particular position
You know which company you will be sending your CV to
You are sending your CV in reply to a specific job advert
You need to compose different CV each corresponding to a different career objective

Targeted CV

2008-02-26T00:05:00.000-08:00

Targeted CV

This kind of CV is a way to focus your career towards a particular objective, within a specific industry or a specific company.

A targeted CV is written in a way that highlights skills, qualifications and experience that match the requirements of the advertised position. Writing a targeted CV is effective when:

You know the requirements of a particular position
You know which company you will be sending your CV to
You are sending your CV in reply to a specific job advert
You need to compose different CVs each corresponding to a different career objective

Combination CV

2008-02-26T00:02:00.000-08:00

Combination CV

The combination CV format is normally used by job hunters who have a solid background associated with their career objectives . You will include sections that highlight your education and experience, followed by the job history. Use the combination CV when you have a definite career path and a targeted job area that is related to your job history and experience. This type of CV combines the best of the functional and the chronological CV styles. You can also use it when each position or job had unique responsibilities and when a shorter type of CV would not suffice. List responsibilities, and or accomplishments and skills developed after each job experience or training listing. Stay focused; use less rather than more words. Begin each sentence or idea with a verb, for instance, Awarded, Assisted etc.

Advantages of the combination CV

Combines the best of the chronological and functional CV writing styles.

Emphasizes your achievements and strengths, as well as experience

Starts with a profile, followed by job history, which is ideal for getting the attention of the employer.

Focuses on important skills which are supported by the job history.

Accomplishments are noticed.

Don't use the combination CV when:

Your work experience is limited.
You have several or unexplained employment gaps.
You changed jobs frequently.

Inventory CV

2008-02-26T00:01:00.000-08:00

Inventory CV

The Inventory CV is used when sending your CV to:

Various recruiters
When you do not have a specific job objective

This kind of CV is a more general overview of your skills, achievements and qualifications. A general objective or career strategy behind an inventory CV helps in being slightly more specific towards your career goals.

General career goals can be:

"a secretary working with a local company"
"a computer programmer"
"a sales person"

Having a general career objective in mind can help you focus on those particular skills, abilities and experience required for the job. Your CV should show that you are competent by demonstrating your relevant previous experience and qualifications. If you are unemployed or desperate to switch jobs, the inventory CV is a good time saver. You can write a custom cover letter for each job you apply for and you can send the same CV to all recruiters. If you are interested in several careers write several inventory CVs each for a particular career goal.

Functional CV

2008-02-25T23:56:00.000-08:00

Functional CV

The Functional CV is usually two pages in length and covers your entire career history. Unlike the most common chronological CV it focuses not on your career history but on your skills, abilities and expertise. It may not even refer to a specific industry, as the skills as detailed are deemed transferable.

It is important that the skills you detail are relevant to the position you are applying for. It is no use highlighting your great accounts experience if the position is in sales. You should highlight your achievements in a sales environment and focus on relevant aspects of that field of work.
A Functional CV format is useful if:

You lack experience or have gaps in your work history; these can be de-emphasized in a functional CV while your skills and potential are highlighted.

You have changed jobs frequently and have had a variety of unrelated work experiences.

You want to promote skills and experience obtained through college or volunteer experience.
You are changing careers or re-entering the job market, perhaps after taking a career break to be a full time parent.

You have been working freelance or in temporary employment.

You do not want to advertise your age.

A functional CV format is less useful if:

You have little work experience and thus not much to highlight.

You have a progressive career history, which reflects promotions, and growth and you want to emphasize that.

No Degree

2008-02-25T23:53:00.000-08:00

What happens when you are a perfect fit for the job but you have no degree.

There will many times when some aspects in your CV will be less that the requirements of the job you would love to take up. So what would you do? Give it up? Absolutely not. Keep in mind this universal secret about a job: there is absolutely no perfect fit for anyone to any job. There is always a bit plus and minus and that is why the interviews usually take place to find out actually how much of the plus and minus is there, so they can make an informed decision.

So you have no degree. Okay. Let us focus on what you have. What do you have that can compensate for the lack of degree and which the company would count as a balancing benefit?

Additional skills: Do you have any additional skills that pertain to the job? Have you undergone any special skills training program? Are your talents pertaining to the overall goal of the company? Then by all means write them down in the CV first.

Additional experience: Do you have a long and accentuated experience which has put you in the league of experts? Write and offer them references for the purpose. In many cases experience far supercedes qualifications; hence put your best foot forward and apply

Special personal traits: Are you an artist by birth? Is acting a second nature to you? Are you a born leader? These all are personal traits that can stand you in good stead when you apply for those traits specific jobs. In that case, you will definitely get preference over people who are more qualified and more experienced than you. Be sure you highlight you traits properly and that those which are highlighted exactly match the requirements of the job (otherwise it will dilute you case still further labeling you as totally misfit for the job)

Avoid the educational column altogether: A lot of people who are uncomfortable writing 'undergraduate' on their CVs, can simply omit the column of education altogether. However, this will not be questioned much in the CV only when the other skills and traits will be draw the attention of the employer away from the need to know the qualifications

Half truths: Another way, but highly unadvisable, is to state that you have started the course but do not mention you have finished it or not. While this tactic may get to the interview table, it will not hold water when asked, and the trick is seldom seen kindly by the employer. Hence, the best policy is indeed to tell the truth

Overqualified

2008-02-25T23:51:00.000-08:00

You are overqualified - how do you make it look good on the CV

It will so happen every now and then that people want to take up a job which is slightly below them due to certain benefits that they perceive the job will offer them. In fact being overqualified for a job and applying means that you are underselling yourself and if this is not done well, you will come across as a person who has low self-esteem or low value overall. The employer will feel the same as you would feel if you all of a sudden if something very valuable in the market were being sold at half the price. However good it would be, it would make highly suspicious and even if you would not find anything wrong with it, you would still not prefer to buy it for fear that there is a defect that will creep out later on.

In the same manner, when an employer sees he CV of somebody overqualified, will immediately think, 'what is wrong with this person?', 'why is he/she here?'. Your job is to allay the fears and suspicion that arise from this situation effectively through the CV itself.

The CV should in this case clearly contain your acceptance that you are aware that you qualification exceed the expectation of the job. Then, proceed to explain why inspite of this fact, you would still want to be considered for the opening.

You could highlight you strongest skills and connecting them to the growth prospects in the company, imply that working for that company in question would actually make allowance for such a sacrifice on your part

You could say that after having a gap in working (for legitimate reasons - such as child rearing, spouse career support, launching business in the family, etc) you are looking forward to work again in the industry which was and is your first and last love (this should match with your career objective)

Put your willingness to work in a lesser position as a method for the company to test your abilities and attitude, highlighting the fact that you are a very hardworking person as well who would very soon be a highly valuable member of the said company

Bring away the focus from your educational qualifications by putting high emphasis on your skills and achievements which should match (or made to match) perfectly with the job requisites

Little Experience to Show

2008-02-25T23:49:00.000-08:00

What to do when you have too little experience to show?

This drawback usually plagues the lack of experience to show on the resume. There are many things that can be improvised in this scenario:

Bring the attention of the prospective employer away from the lack of experience by highlighting your match to the job in terms of skills and personal traits. Be sure you use those skills and traits that are best required by the job you are applying for

A skills CV (see also functional resume)will be the best bet for you - more so when you can highlight you willingness to work hard and long hours to gain valuable experience. Your willingness to work hard should come strong enough to attract the attention of the prospective employer, so it should not be written as an after-thought, rather as an emphasis after your description of skills.

If you have an outstanding academic background, highlight this explaining that you are a fast learner who can in no time be a valuable member of the organization. Attract attention to the subjects and/or areas where the matters are supportive of the job's requirements.

Do you have any extra-curricular activities that would boost your skills (with respect to the job you applied for). For example if you are applying for a PR or marketing position, your standing first in elocution and debate competition (proving the gift of the gab) would stand you in good stead.

Highlight the fact that you will be honored to start your career in an elite company such as X (name of the organization) and assure that you would be happy to work harder than anyone else to prove your abilities and become a valuable employee of the organization

Be candid in your application and down-to-earth. People usually like young people because they have a nothing-is-impossible attitude. Try to project that attitude without sounding over confident or cocky. You can do that by repeating at different intervals that you are willing to learn and work hard so you can fit even better not only in the job, but also the goals of the company overall (do your homework and be specific here; vagueness will seem like boasting) You indicate that you would be willing to travel, relocate and/or work late (even on weekends) so as to learn the ropes as fast as possible

Fresher

2008-02-25T23:47:00.000-08:00

What to do when you are a fresher?

A fresher is a fresh graduate by definition. What should you do if you are a fresher who will compete for regular jobs where other more experienced people will apply:

Do not be intimidated about the competition. Apply highlighting your academic records (if it is good), your personal traits (for example extremely friendly, deadline oriented, a good organizer, a born leader, etc) which best match with those required for the job.

Mention specific courses or training programs which you might have attended and which might give you a good edge over those who have only the required qualification and work experience. Relate the achievements in such a way that ti should show you as a theoretical expert in certain angles

You might also mention in your CV that you are self-taught person in terms of the latest technological trends and techniques; for example you can learn basic programming, software engineering and design and web designing (among million other such skills) by yourself with the help of the Internet and good book supplements. Be prepared to be asked in detail question at the interview though - so be careful that you write only what you really know well

Highlight the fact that you are young, rearing to go and are ready to work hard to prove yourself; many employers love the enthusiasm of the young and the go-go approach which is very good for the company

Highlight the fact that you are a fast learner and that you are looking forward to start your career in a established and famous company such as X (the company you are applying for), and an excellent learning experience

Offer to get additional training (naming the exact courses with their duration) if the job entails it without any interference to the job deliverables.

Career Move

2008-02-25T23:44:00.000-08:00

How do you explain a change in the career move?

When you want to have a career change, it is of course, your prerogative. However, you will still have to satisfy the curiosity of the would-employer as he/she would be measuring you in terms of your performance, stay with the company and other capabilities.

Hence, you will owe an explanation to him/her as to what prompted you to want to change careers. While speaking it is easy - with the right preparation, to say it objectively why a career change took place - however, in writing it is a bit difficult to explain so it comes out clearly.

What you need to do to make your point clear enough so that you would be called for an interview:

write as concisely as possible about your educational qualifications and skills set; most people will concentrate on highlighting their skills sets as the best reason for switching careers; however your qualifications also could be a good direction pointer at times (for example you are an excellent office secretary/ personal assistant with a Master's degree in English and are good at PR work and communication training - you could make a good teacher for undergraduate students based on your high qualifications and excellent skills set)

highlight certain experiences in the past (during or outside the last job ) when you had experienced extreme satisfaction taking up different responsibilities, which actually had opened your eyes to your new talents - and these experiences motivated you to seek out jobs as the present one.

Ensure that you assure that you are confident that you will perform well in the new line of work and that a change in career based on the chosen reasons will actually help you grow professionally and personally, which in turn will make you a valuable addition to the company.

Job Fired

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Is it necessary to show you were fired in your CV

To answer this question bluntly, 'NO'. You really do need or owe it to anyone to own up information that you were fired from your last job. That is do not volunteer it. There are no rules that require you to write the reasons for leaving your last employment; it is usually understood that this people leave for better prospects.

However, some companies do have a column asking 'reasons for leaving previous job'. When you are faced with the direct question, tell the truth.

Scenario no 1: You were fired because the company was downsizing. Write the truth - downsizing means people will lose their jobs and it is not necessarily because they were not worth it, but because they were more expendable than others. Be matter of fact when you say this, and keep the bitterness and sarcasm out of your language. End with maturity and show confidence that your skills and experience will add value to the future job

Scenario 2: You were fired because of inter-personal conflict, you could explain the facts briefly - again, without any bitterness - that your boss and yourself did not agree on certain matters which made it difficult for you to continue. Be objective, and matter-of-fact explaining that the experience taught you better interpersonal relations and that in future you would handle such a situation differently.

Scenario 3 - You were fired on grounds of negligence/ poor performance/ insubordination, etc. This is a very touchy situation, because most of the employers would ask for feedback from the last employer. Hence, you need to tell the truth and use the opportunity to tell 'your side of the story'. In order to make it as positive as possible, indicate the circumstances (such as difficult task or deadlines while multitasking; or communication gaps; or wrong reporting of facts by supervisor, etc) and be as matter of fact and brief as you can. Avoid the sordid details - just touch the important points and in the end highlight that you have learnt a lot from the lesson which has already cost you dearly, and that it made you a better person and employee as a consequence. Be candid and objective. Never badmouth anyone nor blame anyone. Show a positive outlook and the capacity to move on in the face of adversity.

Out-of-work gaps

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How to explain your CV with out-of-work gaps

First of all, understand that having out-of-work gaps is not a big deal by itself. People are not comfortable with it because it looks that they were not productive for sometime, and that implies some sort of failure. Nothing could be further from truth - but the custom remains to hide or 'close' the gaps in the CV to have a continuous work-line. What can you do if you have gaps in your work line that you cannot really explain in lucrative terms. Easy - get them to lucrative terms:

You may like to say that you have been self-employed for some time, trying to set up a business for a friend, brother, father, etc - be prepared to answer some nitty-gritty's of the business you were self-employed at. Be careful to have a plausible explanation as to why you are seeking employment again. A good reply here would be that the business is now successfully handled by the friend, partner, father (or someone who could take over) and you are looking forward to pursue your main career goals

Another idea is to say you had volunteered to raising funds for some cause such as an orphan home, local community clean up, get a library fund, and so on. Here too be prepared for a lot of questions - so it will be good if you have some data and people to back you up on this.
You may also say that you are/ were in-between jobs and did some odd jobs to keep yourself afloat financially, till the right job came along. In this case, you will need to have the list of the odd jobs you worked at during the in-between period.

It is also possible and legitimate (as well as acceptable) to adjust against your spouse demanding career in order to support your children. Hence, you could always say that you had decided to stay with the children who were young, so your spouse could pursue his/her career. Now that the children are big, you are again looking to fulfil you career goals.

As a last resort - and not one that I would personally advise anyone to do - you could just fib saying that 'from the year so-and-so to present I was working in the following capacities' and enumerate you jobs without giving the years. It is possible that the employer assumes that your work is uninterrupted. However, such deceptions (however mild it may seem) can create a deep sense of mistrust when found out - hence it is advisable to always use the truth in your answers.
Look for normal, legitimate ways to bridge the gap. However, you should not worry too much if you cannot really carry it off. In that it is better to tell the truth directly (such as you could not get the right job) and highlight the fact the you would be a valuable asset to the company (do not be over eager when you say this - just act confident and sure of yourself).

Gap history in your CV

2008-02-25T23:07:00.000-08:00

How to manage gap history in your CV

The CV is the basis on which the employer makes his/her first impression about you. We all know that. Hence, we always tend to put our best qualities in it so as to create the best possible impression. However, sometimes there will be some minor (and some major) hiccups. Are you able to sail through with poise and rationale? The commonest reaction is to bluff (or tell a white lie) but with an employer it is really not an advisable path to take because truth has the knack to come up at the most unfortunate moments of your life and create some major embarrassment, if not more. There are better ways to handle difficulties - with the truth put across plausibly:

Scenario no 1: Suppose you have a two years gap in you CV between to jobs when you did not have any job. 'What happened in the gap period?' the employer will ask. In most cases, people leave their jobs to pursue higher studies - if that is the case with you, do let your employer know. In this context the gap will be seen as a benefit. If this is not the case, and you have just been in between jobs for a gap of more than one year - you might say that you have helped your father, uncle, bother, friend, etc to set up their business (be sure you have the details ready as you will be asked for it); you may also say that you have volunteered to work for some philanthropic cause that your family, community, or friends created (again be ready to give details); you can say you wanted to be with your family for sometime before you started working again (be sure you have plausible reasons - like grandmother sick or wife/husband having a too demanding career which neglected the children who were young at the time).

Scenario no 2: Suppose you have a minor gap of a few months (less than a year). In that case nobody needs to know about it really. All you have to do is to write your CV with yearly gaps instead of giving the month and year. In this way, when you mention only the years it will not be visible that there is a gap of a few months in between. If the gap indicates the time period you took for having a child, then it is good to tell them so, without any qualms. Be ready however, to be asked whether you plan to have any more babies ( so they could judge whether you will drop out again in the near future) - answer truthfully - 'not in the near future' or better still, 'not anymore'.

The point is that you have to assuage the fears of the employer that you may not be dependable. They will be worried to see the unexplained gaps because they would picture you as an unreliable person. Hence, it is best to explain the gap in as simple and realistic situation as possible, which in all probability will not recur in the future.

Build your Resume Step by Step

2008-02-25T22:43:00.000-08:00

Build your Resume Step by Step

Step 1: Know exactly what you want You have to be clear in mind as to what image you wish to project and how your strength and accomplishments relate to your current objective and aspirations.

Step 2: Frame the skeleton of your resumeDetermine the content you want to include and give them headings, prioritize them by importance.Typical headings include Personal particulars, Education, Qualification, Working experience, Achievements, Skills and Proficiency.

Step 3: Build Substance around the SkeletonOnce the headings decided, gather details and put substance around them.

Personal particulars Be prudent in mentioning only the relevant.

Education and QualificationList from the most recent, include honors, scholarship, class standing
Working experienceList from Present to Previous

AchievementsList any awards, special recognition and academic achievements.

Skills and ProficiencyThis include languages, IT skills. Give a rate against each, using a consistent scale. For example, use “Fair, Fluent, Native” to describe language proficiency; describe IT competency as “Can perform without supervision, Can teach the subject”.

Step 4: Edit the Content Look up our other articles on Resume Writing for practical tips.

Step 5: Give it a final touchQuality counts in a resume, not quantity. Design counts, not for the look of it but for its clarity and readability. Go through your resume meticulously and see if there are any final touch-up you want to make to your resume.

Reasons for Resume Rejection

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No name is listed at the top of your resume.

Missing phone and/or e-mail address.

Education category is missing dates, no major and/or degree is listed, the university name is missing, and/or abbreviations are used inappropriately.

Employment accomplishment statements should be no longer than 4 lines if stated in paragraph format, no dates of employment are listed, no employer names are listed and/or resume does not include accomplishment statements.

Your resume should not exceed 3full pages in length.

A single page resume should be ¾ to 1 whole page in length.

Do not use a font that is smaller than 8 point.

Fonts should be traditional; do not use italics, script or more than one font on your resume.

Check spelling and grammar.

If you have an objective statement, consider including some of your skills.

The resume should show the employer what you have to offer them, NOT what you want to get from them.

Avoid using personal pronouns – such as I, me, and my Your name should stand out – consider putting it in a larger font size

Font size 10-12 if generally acceptable. Anything else is hard to read.

Write out the name of the degree that you are receiving (E.G. Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts)

Avoid abbreviations – the employer who is reading your resume may not necessarily know what you are referring to.

Your high school information is not necessary.

You should list your most recent college education only.

Your information should be in chronological order – most recent experience should be first.

You should not have duplicated information. If you have information in one place, you should not repeat it somewhere else in your resume.

Use bulleted points under your experience and/or accomplishments. This makes it easier to read. Under work experience - you should include the position/job title, the Month and the Year, you should reflect results-oriented accomplishments.

You do not need to list your supervisor’s name and the company’s complete address. It is not necessary to include you birth date, marital status or a picture

You should list your awards/honors (if work related) under a separate category.

Consider adding an “Additional Information” category – and list your job titles and dates. This way you can eliminate clutter and still account for employment gaps.

Don’t mention the names of your parents, spouses, relatives and their occupations, take from me, nobody is interested in it.

Don’t write your present, permanent and temporary address; nobody is interested in it.

Don’t mention the details about your references, in your resume, if you are able to get through the interview, your prospective employer will ask you to give references.

Resume Writing Tips

2008-02-25T22:34:00.000-08:00

Resume Writing Tips:

There is more to a C.V. than meets the eye. Your C.V. is your first communication with your prospective employer. It serves as a personal advertisement for you and it must be organized in a manner to make it interesting, informative, yet brief, and good enough to take you to the next stage i.e. ‘INTERVIEW’.

There are Two Types of C.V.’s :

• Chronological Format: Here the experience is given in the reverse chronological order & with specific dates.

• Functional Format: Experienced group by functions / dept – e.g.- Sales – Mktg, Purchase, Personnel, etc. no specific dates.

We recommend the chronological format as Employers & Personnel Manager are used to it. Based on your experience, make a choice. It can also be a combination of both.Don’t miss on any essential information that should be there in every C.V. Be factually accurate in your CV. Most critical , do not misrepresent yourself.

Tips

• Always accompany your resume with a cover letter.

• Do not fake your resume.

• Simplicity is the key, Use a clear, simple. Legible font.

• Use good paper; it does not have to be the most expensive kind.

• Check your grammar and spelling.

• Do not write, "Resume" on your resume.

• Do give your full name, address and telephone number, so the employer can contact you.

• Write a strong statement of your goals taking care not to exaggerate.

• Keep your resume concise but informative as far as stating your education goes. List out special skills and highlight any extraordinary job skills you might have. Use bullets if necessary.

• If you are looking for an entry level position, put your educational qualification right after your goal.

• If you have experience, list your jobs first, starting with the most recent one. Indicate how long you were at each job. Mention all projects (however small) you worked on at each job, your role in the project, how you accomplished the assigned tasks.

• Mention awards and honours you may have received, papers you may presented.

• If you are just out of college, and do not have any experience, elaborate on projects you may have worked on. This will give the employer an idea of how you may fare in job atmosphere.

• Mention that references will be available upon request

Prepare for the Interview

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1. Stand in front of the mirror and recite out loud all of your strong points ranging from courses you have taken to extra-curricular activities you participated in.

2. Inform yourself as much as possible about the organization or college you are going to be interviewed by. Showing the interviewer you know about the college or organization proves you are prepared and do your homework.

3. Before going to the interview, bring any updated information that will give strength to your presentation.

4.Think about your weaknesses and be prepared if the interviewer asks questions regarding them. For example, if you know that your records show that you failed math, then think about what you would say if asked "Why are your grades in math so low?" You might respond "At first, I found math difficult but then realized I was approaching the subject in the wrong way by just memorizing the formulas. I repeated the class and with the help of my instructor passed the course.

5. Research the company and be prepared to ask questions. Asking questions not only shows an interest in the job but also allows you to get to know the company as well.

6. Arrange a mock interview beforehand. Ask a friend or teacher to be the interviewer.

7. Always greet the interviewer with a friendly handshake and always thank the interviewer at the closing.

Interview

2008-02-25T22:31:00.000-08:00

Interview

Congratulations --- Your resume was effective and they've scheduled an interview.
Interviews play a critical role in obtaining the desired job or getting into the college of choice. The interview is not an objective process in which the interviewer selects the best candidate, but a highly subjective encounter where he is evaluating whether you as a person can "fit in" and succeed in the position available.

So, first and foremost, recognize that personality, presence, and enthusiasm are key qualities that must shine through to separate you from other candidates.

Recruiters invariably choose the candidate they like best. You only have a short period of time to make a good first impression. Think about someone you know that has made a good impression on you. Are they warm, outgoing, enthusiastic, self-confident, and positive about life? Present to the interviewer some of your positive qualities so they get to know you on a personal basis.

Next, you must play an active role in the interview. Many students are too passive during an interview. The interview should be an interactive "getting to know you" session instead of an interrogation. You should be personable yet professional so you stand out in the interviewer's mind. Remember, dynamic conversation gives you a chance to show how articulate, fast thinking, and intelligent you are.

Student candidates that talk and contribute to the interview usually make a lasting impression. Projecting an image of self-confidence assures the interviewer that you can do the job. But don't just state "I'll do a very good job" or "I can get good grades at this college" -- you must be subtle. Instead prove that you have the qualities for the job without directly stating it. Remember, you want to appear self-confident not arrogant.

Becoming a Professional

2008-02-25T22:28:00.000-08:00

Learning to Act Like a Professional

If you want to be a professional then start acting like one. You can take concrete steps to make yourself a professional.

1. Read professional journals and newsletters in your field of interest.
You can find them in libraries or on the Internet. These types of journals can keep you current on recent developments within your selected field and possibly lead to a job.

2. Join local student clubs or associations. These kinds of activities will help you build relationships and teach you how to interact with people.

3. Interact with professionals in your chosen field.. You can communicate with top professionals on the Internet. Don't be afraid to ask questions of members of the professional community -- many of them enjoy talking to students.

4. Enter any intern or mentorship programs available in your field. Students can learn an enormous amount by working under a mentor.

5.Explore any special interests that are not covered in your classes by independent reading . Learn about a field because you want to know more!!

6. Investigate to see if there are any programs, lectures, or conventions in your area in the field you want enter.

7. Ask your school guidance counselor about programs and information about any career you may be interested in. Counselors can guide you when selecting classes that relate to a particular field.

8. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Successful professionals are always looking for ways to improve themselves by getting information any way they can. So go ahead and ASK!

9 Never loose your cool. If you have a problem go through the proper channels. Getting angry and losing control shows you are acting like a baby. There is little room for temper tantrums in the working world. Professionals know how to achieve success without punching someone out.

10. Be on time and get your work done. Time is money in the professional world and people hate to lose money.

11. Never submit or send a paper with careless errors in spelling or grammar. Polish your writing skills in school. Once you are a professional, grammatical mistakes or generally poor writing skills may be a handicap.

12. Keep any good term papers, inventions, research reports, or projects as samples of your work. Sometimes these samples can be a persuasive tool in an interview.

FOLLOW ALL THESE STEPS AND YOU WILL BE A PROFESSIONAL!!!!!!

steps to effective resume

2008-02-25T22:26:00.000-08:00

The main point of a resume is to get an interview. In a resume, the employer needs to know why you are interested in the job and what you can offer the company.

Most students make the mistake of just telling about themselves instead of relating the resume to the particular job they are trying to get.

A resume that incorporates your future goals rather than merely summing up your past job history will separate you from the competition. Remember, a resume should be straightforward, focused, and visually inviting.

steps to follow for an effective resume:

1. It has visual appeal.
2. It highlights your strengths and makes the most of what you have to offer.
3. It's descriptions of your work experience emphasize problem solving skills and specific accomplishments rather than duties.
4. Make sure your resume is free of poor spelling and grammar.
5. Use a loose outline format.
6. Presents the most important information first. Employers generally skim resumes and may only read the first few entries.
7. Include your current address and phone number. If an employer can't find you, he can't hire you!
8. Do not exceed two pages.
9. State your professional direction.

What to Look for in resumes

2008-02-25T22:23:00.000-08:00

What to Look for in resumes

Being the great recruiter that you are, you've probably posted a really attractive job ad online, created a brilliant and efficient contact plan to reach those candidates and filled your inbox with tons of resumes for evaluation. Now its time to go read them.

Of course, reading a resume and closely evaluating it isn't half as hard. What's going to break you is doing the same thing for hundreds, even thousands, of other resumes. With the bulk of resumes you'll have to sift through over the next few days, the best you can do is weed out the potential losers that made it to the pile.

You'll have to find a way to figure out, in a matter of minutes of reading each resume, who you're going to schedule for an interview, as well as what to ask each one to elaborate on. You'll need some clues. Below are some of the more useful ones to look out for, as well as how to read them better:

Examine how the applicant phrases his/her past responsibilities. Be wary of applicants who use terms like "member of", "involved", "was part of", and the like. Some jobhunters believe that association-in any way whatsoever-with big projects like major ad campaigns, expansions, etc will win recruiters over. Don't be easily fooled. What you're really looking for are clues that suggest initiative, like "led", "organized", "developed" and other words that show leadership, responsibility and achievement. At the very least, look for statements of specific responsibilities, those that demonstrate a specific skill worth considering and talking about during the interview.

Look out for typos and other "little boo-boos." Candidates who are reckless and careless with their resumes generally show a lax attitude towards making that good first impression, and are also prone to have the same attitude towards actual work.

Heavy techie and occupational jargon. Whenever you're evaluating resumes for a position whose qualifications you don't fully grasp, ask for help from someone in the same field, preferably within the firm. Ask them what keywords to look out for. Don't get too impressed by applicants who like to use heavy words that they know you, as a recruiter, won't totally understand. They may know more about their field, but only you know who's right for the job. And if you decide to put some of these people up for an interview, try to find someone to do it with you, preferably the same one you consulted for keywords.

Consistent and advancing career path. If a resume shows quite a number of past jobs, find the list that shows a consistent choice in jobs and responsibilities. Has the candidate used a certain number of skills consistently with each job? Have they had more responsibility with the next, or held a position higher than the last? Watch out for these types as these people tend to show ambition and focus. Weed out the ones that shifted from job type to another; lack of focus never did any firm any good.

Warning: job-hopper. Look at how long the candidate stays on each job previously held. Be careful when a candidate spends less than a year on each of the last three jobs. Chances are, you're going to be next in line for that fling. Be open, however, when a candidate shows substantial achievement with each job held. You'd want to find out why a candidate with much to boast in a company left after such a short period.

What Is the Worth of Your Resume?

2008-02-25T22:14:00.000-08:00

Before you send your resume for your dream job, ask yourself a question: what is the worth of my resume? This will raise another question: What is your self value?

A resume is worth all that you are. A resume sums you up in a single sheet of paper. You may have the fanciest professional education, but if your resume does not project your personal value then you have a bleak chance of getting an interview call.

So what is the worth of your resume? To answer this question, put yourself in the shoes of the recruiting team. Ask yourself: what makes my resume distinct enough to attract attention? There are thousands of resumes piled up in the administration department. What are the chances that your resume does not end in the reject lot?

Recruiters are inundated with resumes all the time. They have very little time to read pages after pages of your personal details. Remember, if you don't place value on others' time; that means you don't value your time either.

A serious mistake applicants make is that they send incomplete information on relevant topics. The information should be straightforward and simple. Keep the information concise and crisp. Make sure that the information is easily available and not hidden in meandering paragraphs. A good idea is to have a bullet list or numbered list of essential data.

Some people post their resume to every job advertisement they come across. These are the free floaters who let their resumes to freely float in the industry. This category of resume writers is truly irksome to the recruiter. Sometimes they float their resumes for jobs not fitting their credentials. These resumes are rarely ever read by anybody. Don't float your resume when the job does not suit your credentials or your needs. It does not serve any good being a free floater. Resumes don't just click out of luck. They click when there is enough merit to warrant attention.

If you want your resume to capture a potential employer's attention, here's what you need to follow:

Keep your resume short and brief. A single page resume should sum up your credentials.
Use simple language, smart text styles, and plain white paper. Check for any typos or grammatical errors. The resume should look smart, not overly dressed up.

Provide your contact information at a prominent place in the resume. make sure that the details are accurate and complete.

Provide all the information as required by the employer. Ambiguous resumes are often rejected.If possible, briefly mention why you are uniquely suited for the job. This can enhance your likelihood of getting an interview call.

Highlight your strengths and make a strong case for your suitability to the organization.

Resume writing can be easy if you follow these basic guidelines. With the right format of the resume, you can prove your worth to your employers even before they have met you.

Why CV is Important

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Why Write a CV

To apply for a job within the same field.
You like what you do, but you want to do it somewhere else! Make sure your CV highlights your achievements. Writing a CV is easy but writing a good CV isn't! Achievements can show the employer that you are able to meet objectives, something all employers are looking for.

To apply for a job within a different field.

So the time has come for a career overhaul. You have thought hard and decided that you do not want to pursue a career in the current direction. Write a CV that highlights any experience or qualifications in this new area. You would also need a reason in your CV outlining why you want to make a career change.

To summarize your life achievements.
Having a full CV, is always a good idea as you never know when a good opportunity will come up. Keep your CV updated at all times, adding any relevant courses or qualifications. This way, when you find yourself applying for a job in three months time your CV will already be written and having to remember all your courses/experiences/projects will not be an issue. If you then apply for a different position, all you will need to do is edit your CV to suit the particular post.

To apply for a particular job vacancy.

Address all the job requirements in your CV. If you do not have any formal qualifications that cover the job requirements, try to make up for it by showing your experience. Make sure you carefully read the advertisement and follow all instructions. A CV is an essential tool in you job search and career.

How to write effective CV and Resume

2008-02-25T21:56:00.000-08:00

The CV can be written in a professional and neat manner that makes it easy for the recruiter to scan and read it; yet, most job hunters make the same mistakes in the compilation of their CVs. A few vital improvements to your CV can make the difference between you and the job hunter next to you. Check your CV for these common mistakes and use the guidelines to improve you CV.

Use bullets rather than paragraphs
Another way to improve your CV is to get rid of paragraphs. Paragraphs are great in your profile section, but should not be used throughout your CV. Use bullets to create a more readable CV. Always keep in mind that the recruiter normally scans through hundreds of CVs and should be able to identify the main points within 30 seconds.

List information based on relevancy to the employer
Your CV is not aimed at you as the reader and what may seem important to you is not necessarily relevant to the employer. Improve your CV by focusing on the most relevant information.Your job title is the most important in your work history, so list it first, followed by the employer, city, and dates for starting and ending of employment. When you list your qualifications you should follow the same procedure. The name of the qualification (don’t use abbreviations), the institute, city, completion date and the majors. Your work history and qualifications are listed in reverse chronological order.

Don’t assume the employer understands the acronyms you used
As a general guide, always spell out the acronym if you think that the employer may not be familiar with the term. Avoid using jargon and academic terms to describe qualifications and experience. They may look impressive, but the reader may not be familiar with the terms.

Get rid of unnecessary words and formatting in your CV
Only list dates that are relevant. You don’t need to state the dates for short courses, club membership or hobbies. Instead of parenthesis make use off commas as it improves readability. If space is limited, you can leave out the comment about references being available. Steer away from 'I' and 'me'. Instead of using 'I' you could simply state the sentence. It is perfectly acceptable to use fragments in a CV.

Keep the verbs and noun fragments separate, for example:
Full budget control (noun).Expanding existing markets (verb).Can be replaced by:Full budget controlExpansion supervision of existing markets.Avoid words such as worked in – everybody works somewhere. You should rather specify the job. Use words such as collaborated, campaigned, marketed, controlled, managed, supervised, initiated, sold etc. instead of worked.

CV length
Even though the shorter CV is preferred, you shouldn’t cram the information to fit on one or two pages. You need a lot of white space and if your experience and qualifications necessitate more space then use an extra page. Many job hunters have far too long CVs because they repeat tasks and accomplishments for every job. You can shorten your CV by eliminating duplicate entries. Avoid having a full page, followed by a quarter-page information. In this case you should try to condense the content to fit on one page. You can do this by setting the margins and by using a smaller font, but not smaller than 11. If you are using headings on the left side with the information on right side, you can switch to headings on top with the information below. You should thus get rid of two columns and use one instead.

Technical Resume or CV

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The technical resume is only used in cases where mentioning particular skills or knowledge of a technical nature is particularly important, as is the case for the IT Industry. The technical resume should be very much like the chronological resume, except it must include a summary of skill, preferably at the beginning of the resume.

This type of resume is the only one that should use jargon and technological terms. If the position you are applying for requires experience in using certain equipment or having particular skills, then this is where you mention it and if possible quantify it. Generally, if a position requires a specific skill, employers will mention it on their job description or advertisement.

If you have experience in an technical area that you think is important for the position, or will give you an advantage over other applicants, then make sure you mention it. It is also very important to list your qualifications and to include any courses, training or seminars you have attended, particularly where they are requirements for the position.

Just remember that jargon and technical language should be avoided throughout the resume. The only safe place to mention it is on the summary of skills page. Often the first person that reads the resume is not a technical person, but a Recruitment Officer, you don't want to write yourself off by submitting a resume that they cannot understand, however the summary of skills allows you to use more specific technological language .

When preparing the summary of skills page, try and group items together with sub-headings so that it is easier to follow. That would make it easier for the reader to find the specific details he is looking for. Be brief and use point form whenever possible.

The rest of the resume should be constructed like the chronological resume. The sequence should be:

Personal details
Career Objective/Summary
Personal skills
Summary of skills (the technical page)
Work history (listing the most recent position first)
Referees

A very important point in both your resume and your job application letter, is to ensure you mention what the employer wants. It is amazing how many people forget to do this. They talk about this and that and totally forget to respond to the job advertisement. Always ensure that you mention achievements and quantify your skills. If you follow this guide, you will have a winning resume that will allow you to get that great job.

Types of Resume/CV

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Each type of resume emphasizes different aspects of the studies or experience of the candidate. Depending of the experience the candidate has or not, there are different styles:

Without experience Resume
Objective of this resume: to show the capacity and the potential of the candidate. What they offer in particular that is different to other candidates. Normally, experience is very limited (less than two years) or none, since they are finishing their studies. Therefore it is necessary to concentrate in of abilities, knowledge, achievements obtained in studies, qualifications, acquired responsibilities, voluntary work, trips, languages....

Professional Resume
Professional resume is a style used for people who already have a minimum experience of 3-5 years and that are in intermediate positions at responsibility level. It concentrates on the obtained objectives, solution of problems, applied abilities, promotion and development of the career. Studies have less importance than the acquired experience.

Executive Resume
Executive Resume is used for people in high positions. It concentrates on the objectives obtained as a director of a department or company, solution of problems, leadership, development of projects, use of abilities and motivation of team. In summary, to emphasize the competencies that they have and that are applied.

REFERENCE SECTION

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CV-Resume: content

OBJECTIVE SECTION

Optional, but highly recommended.

Include type of position or occupational field you wish to enter, skills, experience, and background you have to offer, and any special interests or areas of focus.

EDUCATION SECTION

• List institution name, post secondary degree(s) received and dates earned or expected

• Include major, minor, area of concentration, specialization, or certifications.

• List city & state when looking outside of state where employers may be unfamiliar with your college location.

• Don’t include institutions you attended, but didn’t receive a degree from, GPAs under 3.0, and years enrolled.

• This category may be a separate section or divided into subsections depending on the information presented.

• May include relevant courses and skills/knowledge learned, special projects, G.P.A. if over 3.0, honors, awards, scholarships, thesis, research projects, percent of college expenses earned, extracurricular activities.

EXPERIENCE SECTION

• List paid and unpaid experiences, internships, co-ops, volunteer activities, fieldwork, student teaching, etc.

• Include position title, employer or setting, city, state, and dates. (Place in reverse chronological order).

• Emphasize responsibilities, accomplishments, and skills. Think - How? Why? Results?

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SECTIONS

• Title this category(s) according to type of information presented.

• May include professional/student associations and positions held, athletic participation, extracurricular activities, special skills (computer, languages, etc.), certifications, licensures, publications, military or community service experience, interests, etc.

REFERENCE SECTION

– Recommended.

• Provides closure to the resume, but not needed if space is an issue.

• Include the statement - References Available.

• Do not list your reference’s names and contact information on your resume. Include this information

• If you have a portfolio, you may indicate in this statement that it is also available. The following information is not included on a resume, however, you may need it when completing application forms:

Tips for CV and Resume

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CV-Resume: resume tips

One or two pages at the most -

White paper or very clear colour and good quality, without any décor.-

Typed form, avoid writing your resume by hand, except for a company that asks for it like that.

Do not include the letter’s date in your resume-

You do not have to enclose supporting documents, unless they are asked for.-

Avoid sending photocopies of your resume- Never include a resume cover.

You have to transmit clarity and professionalism visually (white paper, short phrases, capital letters and with standard format, elegant and simple; emphasize certain information or sections in bold).-

Use action verbs in your resume- Avoid using too many decorative resources like fitting, colours or very expanded paragraphs.

Be honest in the content, positive and sell the best things about you when you write a resume-

Write well and have the spelling checked before sending your resume. Use different synonyms to avoid both repetitions and the image of limited lexicon richness and, therefore, little verbal fluidity. Do not use abbreviations, except when they are the recognised ones in our language .

Structure the resume based on what you consider to be your strong points for that position: abilities and achievements first, or experience in several similar positions. If a certain academic title is an essential requirement, you can write it before the experience).

Do not forget that it is a "taylor made suit for the position you want to obtain", not a complete history of your life.- Write in inverse chronological order the experience and achievements that you consider most relevant to the position you want to get.

Always stress how you have solved problems, your abilities, your contribution to the improvements obtained in your work and your company.

Resume and CV

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Different content and objectives.

Resume: emphasizes information on the experience, abilities and studies relevant for the objectives that must be fulfilled in a certain position for which you are applying, or in which selection process you are taking part.

CV: is a compilation of all the academic data and experience of a person throughout their life (as vitae indicates the Latin term life), unrelated to the position you are applying for or in which selection process you are taking part. The structure usually is personal data, academic, experience, languages, computer science and other data, all in chronological order.

Type of company and position to which it should be directed.

Resume: Commercial positions, directors, media, audio-visual, creative...

CV: More appropriate for academic positions, scientists, doctors, research, technologies....

How to turn your CV into a good and effective Resume.

If you want to opt for a certain position and/or to make a change of profession in your career the first thing to do is to discard the idea that it is an account of your experience, preparation and achievements and that it is the same for all positions and/or companies. Your objective is to obtain an interview and to convince the interviewer that you are the perfect candidate for the position. "the presentation has to be taylor-made", is the fundamental characteristic of resumes: Write and reflect the experience, achievements and objectives for that position in particular, so that the person responsible for inviting you to the interview knows, in advance, that you satisfy the characteristics required to perform the functions inherent to the position. You can omit the academic / work experience that is not related or summarise in a phrase (in an interview there is always time to explain everything that one has done in life).

How to Write Good Curriculam Vitae

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Your curriculum vitae is the single most important weapon in your armoury when it comes to job hunting.

A prospective employer will often make a snap judgement the second they read it and even the most qualified people on the planet can find themselves rejected if the resume fails to come up to scratch. So how can you give yours the edge?

Avoid making it too fancy and complicated. You only have about five seconds to grab the attention - if it is too clever and unreadable it will go in the bin.

Don't try to make jokes and never slag off previous employers.

CV length

There are no set rules governing the length of your CV - this will be decided on your career history, education and achievements. If possible try to keep it to one page, but if this looks too cramped then feel free to spread it out over two sheets.

Everyone has a different theory when it comes to CV design. Don't get too bogged down over this, just make sure everything is clearly marked. Include your career progression, education and achievements prominently so your prospective employer doesn't have to search.

Remember to include
Career history
Skills and strengths
Awards and achievements
Contact details

Here is a basic format: Start off with your name, address and contact details clearly listed at the top of the page. Follow this with a profile of yourself which should include an outline of your skills, experience and immediate career goals.

After this you can put in your career history - in reverse chronological order over the past 10 years - with brief descriptions of your responsibilities and achievements. Then comes education, interests/personal details and references.

Stick to the truth

Make sure it is printed on good quality A4 size paper and never attach extra documents, letters or certificates - save these for the interview. Read and re-read your CV, and then ask a friend or family member to read it as well.

Make sure there are no spelling errors or coffee stains as these will be fatal.

It might sound obvious, but be truthful. Never try to smudge dates and jobs to hide periods of unemployment. The most basic of checks will expose your deceit and ruin any chance of getting the job.

Follow all instructions on the job advert. If they want four copies of your CV then you should send four. It is also vital to get it in on time. The covering letter should be customised for each job you apply for as this is your chance to tailor your skills to the demands required.