"I've asked several people for help with my CV, but I'm getting conflicting advice. What's the best way to make maximum impact?" Jonathan, Manchester.
No easy answers!
A quick look on Amazon reveals dozens of books dedicated to writing Power CVs, Impact Résumés and Winning Cover Letters. You can buy software to compile your CV or pay a CV-writing company. Many people have strong views on CVs. Are there 'rules'? Should your CV be one page or two? Printed on expensive paper? Include college jobs?
No wonder people find writing their CV sodaunting. There is no one way, node factotemplate. From the thousands of CVs that I have read, here are a few ideas that I have found to work.
What is a CV?
A curriculum vitae, or résumé, is a marketing tool. Itssales pitchis your skills and experience, achievements and accomplishments. Its goal is to win you an interview.
Getting started
Many jobs attract huge amounts ofapplicants. Two, even three, pages are fine - but your skills must be obvious with a quick scan of the top page. I call this the Two-Second Test - can I tell what you have to offer with just a quickglance? Key words need to bestriking, avoid lengthy paragraphs, use bullet points withconcisepunchysentences in plain language and bewarejargonandabbreviations.
A few words on design
Stickto ordinary portrait single-sided A4 white paper with black ink. I have received all sorts - CVs on acetate,tracing paper, coloured inks, cut into shapes - and one printed on a large pinkcushion! It might be creative andstand out, but employers andrecruitmentagencies will often want to photocopy or fax the CV.
You are likely to besubmitting a CV by email - use a common format: MS Word, RTF or PDF (there are free PDF-makers on the web, likewww.cutepdf.com). Sans serif fonts are easier to read, but make sure you use a standard machine font (Arial 11 works well for the body of the CV, clean lines and not too tiny) - if you use a special font, it might not becompatibleon your recipient's machine. Avoid multiple typefaces and sizes. Put headings in bold, use italics where appropriate - white space andmargins make it easier to read. Number your pages and include your name in the footer.
Contact details
Put your name in large letters at the top of the page (many people write 'Curriculum Vitae' across the top - we know what it is, what we need to know is who you are).
Make it as easy as possible forprospectiveemployers to talk to you, so include your address, email, and mobile phone number. (If you are posting your CV on a website, then remember basic web security and just use an email address). I have left messages with manybemusedrelatives - so if you include your home phone, brief whoever is likely to answer. Take care with work numbers and emails.
You do not need any personal information such as date of birth, marital status, disabilities, health and details of parents or children. You might be asked for some of these details on an Equal Opportunities monitoring form, but this isseparatefrom the selection process. There is no need to include a photograph unless it is requested, or if it is the norm in your industry (such as television presenters or newsreaders).
An introductory paragraph summarising what you have to offer and where you see yourself going should be short andsuccinct. You could say something like "Business editor with experience of managing a multi-discipline team on award-winning consumer website, seeking to join a leading City magazine" or "Broadcast journalism graduate with work experience across a range of local and regional press, television and radio, seeking a role as a television reporter".
A good opening paragraph shows focus - and you can change it every time to suit the job or company that you are approaching.
Skills Table
Here is an idea I really like. Sum up all yourcoreskills in one place. Use appropriate headings and bullet points andprioritizeyour strengths.
Have one heading for your core skills, for example journalism. Another for your value-added skills, such as project management. A third heading for software or technical skills, and another for anything that does notfitelsewhere.
Here is an example of how it could look:
Journalism
Reporting
Research
Interviewing
Sub-editing
Proofreading
Project Management
People management
Recruitment
Budgetary control
Tendering and proposal writing
Software
MS Word
MS Excel
Dreamweaver
MS FrontPage
Photoshop
Miscellaneous
Clean driving licence
French (fluent)
Spanish (spoken)
Teeline shorthand (100wpm)
Both employers and recruitment agencies may read your CV into a database, or you might submit it to an online search engine like Monster - these work by searching key words.
Training
List anyvocationaland professional training, as well as any relevant professional memberships.
Education
In reverse chronology, list schools, colleges and qualifications. Grades are usually not important, especially if you have been working for a few years, unless you are using your CV to apply for a further course or graduate training programme.
Give brief relevant details of your courses. For example, if you have been on a journalism course, then it will be useful to list law, shorthand and any other vocational skills that you were taught.
Do not volunteer negative information - so no details on courses that you started but did not finish and do not list failed exams (believe me, people do!).
Hobbies & Interests
Theperpetual"reading and swimming" on so many CVs, made listing hobbies unpopular. However, I say that they add colour and personality on what can be quite amundanedocument. I have seen a few City journalists who included fire eating or magic amongst their interests!
Choose carefully - will your hobby be seen as interfering with your work? Are there any potential conflicts of interest?Charityand voluntary work might demonstrate relevant and transferable skills.
References
"Available on request" is often enough. It gives you the option to choose your most appropriaterefereesonce you have been offered a job. If you do want to state them, then include two named individuals, their job titles and companies.
If you are recently out of school or college, include one non-academic referee. Make sure you have asked if they are happy to comment on you. It is a good idea to send them a copy of your CV.
The Covering Letter
Tell them why you are writing - is it in response to an advertisement? Say where you saw the advert and quote any reference number as well as the job title. Why are you interested? What can you do for the organisation? What are your strengths? Match the terminology used in the advert and job description.
Elaborateon your most relevant skills and experiences that are mentioned on your CV. Show enthusiasm for the company and the job - do some research by checking out their website and finding out as much as you can about them.Demonstrateknowledge of their product, programme or publication. Keep your letter to about one A4 page.
Never, never, never come across as mass mailing. If you are writingspeculatively, find an appropriate contact to address the letter to - check their website for contact details or just phone them and ask. I have received emailed CVs with dozens of names in the 'To' box, and I have also received cut-and-paste letters where they have forgotten to change my name after "Dear..." - it lookssloppyand unfocused.
Here are some essentials to get the best out of your CV:
Print it off and make sure it looks good.
Spell check it.
Get lots of feedback - show it to friends, family, trusted colleagues and people you network with. Ask recruitment consultants at employment agencies, and ask HR managers at companies you approach. Remember, they will all have different ideas, so getting a good mix will help you decide on what is most relevant and what works best for you.
Focus on achievement and success but never be tempted to bend the truth - everything should be accurate, honest and factual. Double-check dates and details. Anything on your CV might be raised at interview, and some companies use agencies that verify qualifications and other details.
Keep your CV alive. Most people update it only when they are seeking a new job, they add a few details, update a few others. Tinker with it all the time. It should be about the future and where you see yourself going.
An excellent CV requires effort, time, is focused on the future and is adapted through getting lots of feedback.
Başarılı bir CV - A succesful CV
A Successful CV - Başarılı Özgeçmiş
Daniell Morrisey: How to prepare a killer CV
Posted: 01/08/06 By: Oliver Luft
"I've asked several people for help with my CV, but I'm getting conflicting advice. What's the best way to make maximum impact?" Jonathan, Manchester.
No easy answers!
A quick look on Amazon reveals dozens of books dedicated to writing Power CVs, Impact Résumés and Winning Cover Letters. You can buy software to compile your CV or pay a CV-writing company. Many people have strong views on CVs. Are there 'rules'? Should your CV be one page or two? Printed on expensive paper? Include college jobs?
No wonder people find writing their CV sodaunting. There is no one way, node factotemplate. From the thousands of CVs that I have read, here are a few ideas that I have found to work.
What is a CV?
A curriculum vitae, or résumé, is a marketing tool. Itssales pitchis your skills and experience, achievements and accomplishments. Its goal is to win you an interview.
Getting started
Many jobs attract huge amounts ofapplicants. Two, even three, pages are fine - but your skills must be obvious with a quick scan of the top page. I call this the Two-Second Test - can I tell what you have to offer with just a quickglance? Key words need to bestriking, avoid lengthy paragraphs, use bullet points withconcisepunchysentences in plain language and bewarejargonandabbreviations.
A few words on design
Stickto ordinary portrait single-sided A4 white paper with black ink. I have received all sorts - CVs on acetate,tracing paper, coloured inks, cut into shapes - and one printed on a large pinkcushion! It might be creative andstand out, but employers andrecruitmentagencies will often want to photocopy or fax the CV.
You are likely to besubmitting a CV by email - use a common format: MS Word, RTF or PDF (there are free PDF-makers on the web, likewww.cutepdf.com). Sans serif fonts are easier to read, but make sure you use a standard machine font (Arial 11 works well for the body of the CV, clean lines and not too tiny) - if you use a special font, it might not becompatibleon your recipient's machine. Avoid multiple typefaces and sizes. Put headings in bold, use italics where appropriate - white space andmargins make it easier to read. Number your pages and include your name in the footer.
Contact details
Put your name in large letters at the top of the page (many people write 'Curriculum Vitae' across the top - we know what it is, what we need to know is who you are).
Make it as easy as possible forprospectiveemployers to talk to you, so include your address, email, and mobile phone number. (If you are posting your CV on a website, then remember basic web security and just use an email address). I have left messages with manybemusedrelatives - so if you include your home phone, brief whoever is likely to answer. Take care with work numbers and emails.
You do not need any personal information such as date of birth, marital status, disabilities, health and details of parents or children. You might be asked for some of these details on an Equal Opportunities monitoring form, but this isseparatefrom the selection process. There is no need to include a photograph unless it is requested, or if it is the norm in your industry (such as television presenters or newsreaders).
An introductory paragraph summarising what you have to offer and where you see yourself going should be short andsuccinct. You could say something like "Business editor with experience of managing a multi-discipline team on award-winning consumer website, seeking to join a leading City magazine" or "Broadcast journalism graduate with work experience across a range of local and regional press, television and radio, seeking a role as a television reporter".
A good opening paragraph shows focus - and you can change it every time to suit the job or company that you are approaching.
Skills Table
Here is an idea I really like. Sum up all yourcoreskills in one place. Use appropriate headings and bullet points andprioritizeyour strengths.
Have one heading for your core skills, for example journalism. Another for your value-added skills, such as project management. A third heading for software or technical skills, and another for anything that does notfitelsewhere.
Here is an example of how it could look:
Journalism
Project Management
Software
Miscellaneous
Both employers and recruitment agencies may read your CV into a database, or you might submit it to an online search engine like Monster - these work by searching key words.
Training
List anyvocationaland professional training, as well as any relevant professional memberships.
Education
In reverse chronology, list schools, colleges and qualifications. Grades are usually not important, especially if you have been working for a few years, unless you are using your CV to apply for a further course or graduate training programme.
Give brief relevant details of your courses. For example, if you have been on a journalism course, then it will be useful to list law, shorthand and any other vocational skills that you were taught.
Do not volunteer negative information - so no details on courses that you started but did not finish and do not list failed exams (believe me, people do!).
Hobbies & Interests
Theperpetual"reading and swimming" on so many CVs, made listing hobbies unpopular. However, I say that they add colour and personality on what can be quite amundanedocument. I have seen a few City journalists who included fire eating or magic amongst their interests!
Choose carefully - will your hobby be seen as interfering with your work? Are there any potential conflicts of interest?Charityand voluntary work might demonstrate relevant and transferable skills.
References
"Available on request" is often enough. It gives you the option to choose your most appropriaterefereesonce you have been offered a job. If you do want to state them, then include two named individuals, their job titles and companies.
If you are recently out of school or college, include one non-academic referee. Make sure you have asked if they are happy to comment on you. It is a good idea to send them a copy of your CV.
The Covering Letter
Tell them why you are writing - is it in response to an advertisement? Say where you saw the advert and quote any reference number as well as the job title. Why are you interested? What can you do for the organisation? What are your strengths? Match the terminology used in the advert and job description.
Elaborateon your most relevant skills and experiences that are mentioned on your CV. Show enthusiasm for the company and the job - do some research by checking out their website and finding out as much as you can about them.Demonstrateknowledge of their product, programme or publication. Keep your letter to about one A4 page.
Never, never, never come across as mass mailing. If you are writingspeculatively, find an appropriate contact to address the letter to - check their website for contact details or just phone them and ask. I have received emailed CVs with dozens of names in the 'To' box, and I have also received cut-and-paste letters where they have forgotten to change my name after "Dear..." - it lookssloppyand unfocused.
Here are some essentials to get the best out of your CV:
An excellent CV requires effort, time, is focused on the future and is adapted through getting lots of feedback.
source:http://www.journalism.co.uk/7/articles/51953.php
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