GRADEMPIRE

CV/Resume

 

A Curriculum Vitae is an outline of a person's educational and professional history, usually prepared for job applications It is also called a résumé.

Too often, are CVs overloaded, fragmented, ineligible and of a poor quality. This immediately created a poor impression.

 

 #1 TIP: KEEP IT SHORT - Most employers spend less than 1 minute reviewing a CV. According to TheLadders, an online job search site, employers spend on average only 6 seconds. Consequently, select only the most importation information to include.

 

Length

In general, a new graduate's CV should be no more than two A4 pages. In a survey of American employers 35% preferred a one page CV and 19% a two page CV with the others saying it depends upon the position.

 

Presentation, Presentation, Presentation

In the current global economic climate, hundreds of applications are read by employers for one position. With so many people with the required skills now looking for new opportunities, it is increasingly important to stand out from the crowd. A successful CV is always carefully and clearly presented with a well-structured, easy to read format. Feel free to use a template online! Word has many CV templates that you can customise and use.

CV hotspot – the upper middle area of the first page is where the recruiter's eye will naturally fall, so make sure you include your most important information there.

 

Organisation of Content

The most widely accepted style is the chronological CV – present relevant events in reverse date order, with the most recent appointment first.

DO:

·- List your education and work experiences

 

DON'T:

-  List everything

 

Short and Sweet

A good CV is concise. Remove all unnecessary information. A CV should demonstrate that you tick the right boxes. And if everything is satisfied, there's a better chance of a job interview. Also, employers receive dozens of CVs all the time so it's unlikely they'll read each one cover to cover. Most will make a judgment about a CV within sections, so stick to a maximum of two pages of A4 paper.

 

Understand the job

Understanding your job role and description is the most important aspect when applying for a new position or starting a new job. Clues can be found in the job application, so read the details in the job description. For example, for a job that requires strong mathematical skills, you can describe how your degree has prepared you. Take notes and highlight everything you can satisfy and all the bits you can't. With the areas where you're lacking, fill in the blanks by adapting the skills you do have. For example, if the job requires office experience and you do not have any directly, show how you may have participated in a university club or society. It will demonstrate the skills you do have and show how they're transferable.

 

NO GENERIC CV!

The biggest mistake is having a generic CV. Every job is different and so every CV should be different – even if the difference is slight. When you've established what the job entails and how you can match each requirement, create a CV specifically for that role. Create a unique CV for every job you apply for. You don't have to re-write the whole thing, just adapt the details so they're relevant.

 

Show Off your Skills

Use the skills section to stand out. Some examples include: communication skills; industry skills; team working; problem solving or a second language. But make sure it’s relevant.

 

Use the Interests Section to Your Advantage

Many university students so not include interests in their CV. However, there are many benefits in including an “Interests” section. You can use this section to highlight skills you've gained and employers look for. In particular, positions of responsibility, can show your prospective employer that shows you can use your own initiative.

Also include your range of personal interests. Don't include passive interests like watching TV, solitary hobbies that can be perceived as you lacking in people skills. Sound interesting! Anything that shows how diverse and skilled you are. E.g. building model boats.

 

Demonstrate yourself

Use assertive and positive language under the work history and experience sections, such as "developed", "organised" or "achieved". This shows employers who you can do for them! Try to relate the skills you have learned to the job role you're applying for. For example: "The work experience involved working in a team," or "This position involved planning, organisation and leadership as I was responsible for a team of people".

Really get to grips with the valuable skills and experience you have gained from past work positions, even if it was just working in a restaurant – every little helps.