CV Tips
Tips for CV and Résumé Writing Part 1
Target
Whatever job or course you
are applying for, you should always
target your resume or application to the position concerned.
When employers are scanning
a batch of CVs - and remember they
may have to look at several hundred - they will spend 20-30 seconds
on each.
That means that you haveonly 20-30 seconds to make an impression.
So, if you are applying for
a job as a secretary, does the employer
want to know that you worked for 3 years in a factory? No!
Does the employer want to know that you are an accomplished dressmaker? No!
Does the employer want to know that you got an A in Art? No!
Does he or she want to know that you can type 65 wpm? Yes!
Does he or she want to know that you can take shorthand at 120 wpm. Yes!
Does he or she want to know that you are proficient in Microsoft Office? Yes!
Whatever the employer wants, comes first.
The rest can be included, but
not highlighted.
Whatever is related to the job should stand out. See the section on Format
(Tip 4) for more information on how to do this.
Tips for CV and Résumé Writing Part 2
A CV should be easy to read.
That means
Paper
good quality white paper
standard size - A4 in the UK
always send a top copy, never a photocopy.
Length
two pages for most CVs
one page for school leavers
longer only for academic CVs or
very senior posts
Consistent layout :
double check your margins and
tabs
make sure everything is lined up properly.
Consistent font
choose one font and stick to it throughout
Consistent headings
use the same format for all your headings
Tips for CV and Resume Writing Part 3
Be Bold!
Use either bold or capitals for your headings.
Resumes must be easy to read
and therefore you should
avoid gimmicks.
This means no fancy fonts, no boxes and no colour.
No italic or underlining.
Being bold also means highlighting
your
achievements and skills.
Don't be shy, if you:
- won a prize
- increased sales
- designed an innovative course
- created a website
- were nominated employee of the year
say so!
This isn't bragging, it's just
stating the facts - showing
your skills, experience and abilities, which is exactly
what the employer wants to know. And he won't know
if you don't tell him.
Tips for CV and Résumé Writing Part 4
Traditionally, CVs were written in reverse chronological order.
This format is still useful
if you have had few jobs, with no gaps and
your work history shows steady progression. Nowadays, many jobs involve
short-term contracts and people often move to completely different fields,
go back to college or return to work after raising a family.
In other words, their work
history is interspersed
with periods of study, unemployment or childcare.
If your background fits one
of these situations, the
functional CV could be best.
A functional CV concentrates
on your skills and
achievements, listing these early in the CV, with
a summary of work history and education at the end.
You'll have headings for general skills, for example:
Communication Skills
- Example 1
- Example 2
- Example 3
Teamwork Skills
- Example 1
- Example 2
- Example 3
A targeted CV is similar in
style to the functional CV
ie has the same headings, but is focused on the specific skills
needed for a particular job.
Tips for CV and Résumé Writing Part 5
Use Bullets
Remember, you have only 20-30 seconds to make
that first impression.
Which do you find easier to read?
Employment History
Ace Marketing Secretary 1999-present
Taking shorthand and typing correspondence for MD. Keeping diary and
arranging travel for MD and assistant director. Organizing annual conference.
Setting up and maintaining database.
Employment History
Ace Marketing Secretary 1999-present
- Shorthand/typing for MD
- Designing/maintaining office database
- Keeping diary for MD
- Arranging travel for MD and assistant
- Organizing annual conference
Same information, different layout.
Avoid long sentences, which
are difficult to scan.
Bullets will make the important information stand out.
Tips for CV and Résumé Writing Part 6
Mind the Gap
If you have gaps in your résumé, it's a good idea not to
go
for the chronological format, as this will draw attention
to them.
The functional CV is best if
you've had a chequered career,
as it places the emphasis on your skills and achievements,
many of which have been gained outside work. (see Tip 4)
Have a look at some of your
activities outside work
and see if you can come up with a list of transferable skills.
Here are a few to get you started:
As a student you had to:
- Meet deadlines
- Make presentations
- Complete written assignments
If you've been looking after a family, you'll have some of these skills:
- Time management
- Ability to multi-task
- Ability to prioritise
Dig out a few of your old job
descriptions to get the correct jargon
for work-related skills eg setting up a new way of filing information
becomes designing office systems. If you don't have any of your previous
job descriptions, read ads for similar jobs or ring up for application
packs.
You'll find all the jargon you need!
Tips for CV and Résumé Writing Part 7
Keep Yourself Covered!
Once your CV is ready to roll,
you should write a
covering letter.
This will:
- Say which post you are applying for
- State where you saw it advertised
- expand on your CV
- emphasis why you are right for the job
- be formal
- be no more than one page
Good luck with your job applications.
Waller Jamison is a freelance careers advisor and part-time university lecturer. She is the author of an e-book "9 Steps to CV Success." which includes info on UK Job Application Forms. For a free e-course on career change go to: Free Course
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