Making an impact - your CV Resume
If you would like help in preparing a CV or need your CV reviewed please contact Tom O'Neil by e-mail How long will the average employer spend reading your CV or Resume? Minutes? Try a matter of seconds to make an impact In sectors other than academic, medical or scientific, it is generally more appropriate to use a short "Resume" which is essentially a brief summary of your experience rather than a true Curriculum Vitae. It will not go into the detail of a CV, and is really a one to two page document that encapsulates your abilities, tantalising the employer enough to find out more in the all-important interview stage. Most of the points made will cover both documents - what are the essentials? PRESENTATION The number one let down: poor proof reading. This might be your only knock on an Employer's door, and any error in this regard will scream a lack of attention to detail. Keep it short: you only have a little time to get a point across. Very rarely should a Resume exceed two to three pages. On the opposite end of the spectrum, don' t be too mercenary about the content! Make sure you are not omitting the key skills and experience that flesh out the perfect application. Make it simple and punchy. Use bold headings, bullet points, and blank spaces to make your points stand out. Keep your style consistent throughout - it makes it easier to scan for relevant information. Don' t be too gimmicky! While stand-out colours and textured papers seem like a good idea at the time, they photocopy badly and in fact can look less polished. Original copies on plain A4 are safe and smart. Some other "old fashions" to forget - photos, cover pages, fancy borders, bindings are unnecessary. Write in the first person- however you can leave out the "I" as it is implied in a resume. Use lots of verbs to start sentences: i.e.- "Drove", "Instigated" to add action. Sound pedantic? Unfortunately, your first impression might be your only impression without the extra edge. THE CONTENT-MAKING YOUR MARK The Objective or Profile While in theory it is the perfect opportunity to state your direction and unique strengths, it can sound weak if it is too vague. Use this tool to link the reader to your CV, but only if you can make it focused and punchy. Leave most of the detail to your covering letter Personal Data Only the basics are important. Include your contact details first and foremost. This information can sometimes go at the end of a CV to draw more attention to your work related sections. Skills Not compulsory, but a great way to put your key skills in lights. Effective when backed up by your key achievements and a use of action words. Use quantities and facts. Experience List your most recent experience first. Keep your job descriptions to a minimum. Rather than monotonous lists of duties, highlight the way you really made a mark in these organisations. If you lack experience, hone in on the elements of your employment that have provided transferable skills. If there are gaps in your job history, these need to be acknowledged, because they will come up in interview - just try to emphasise the positive aspects and gains made during these periods. Trim off some of the older experience if you have been in the workforce for a long time. Include definite dates - employers want an accurate gauge of how long you have been in each role. Education Unless you are a new graduate, this section should be brief, as it quickly becomes less important than your professional history. Start with this section if you are a new graduate. What to leave out Referee information. Employers will expect you to provide them when they want them and leaving details out gives you control of when referees are contacted. Any reference to failures- whether it is related to education, business, personal. Might seem elementary, but this is your sales tool - it is critical your resume echoes a positive pitch. Abbreviations and salary information. FINE TUNING Hard to be objective? Have someone else cast a critical eye over your finished product. If you are dealing with recruiters, you will find consultants are more than ready to assist you in marketing yourself. Return to your original purpose - is this Resume really relevant to my employer of choice? Have I sold myself? THE COVER LETTER (or EMAIL) This is your real chance to say "I am perfect for this job". It is pretty important, especially with online applications - it lets an agency or employer know you aren't firing off random resumes without putting thought into the role. Start with a short introduction. This is a chance to give full detail to your career objective. Back up your candidacy with your education, abilities, and other facts that support your match. End with your salary requirements and contact information. Keep it brief - one page should be more than sufficient. ENSURING YOU MEET YOUR TARGET The world of e - commerce can provide more hurdles- will your CV look the same at the other end? Use plain text format if you can or a standard word document. If you are using a job board resume builder, make sure the output looks like what you want. Also, be aware that recipients, due to the risk of viruses, will sometimes stop emails with attachments. Article submitted by Phoenix Recruitment Services in Auckland. Phoenix specialise in accounting roles in New Zealand and overseas www.phoenixjobs.co.nz INDIVIDUAL HELP ON CV PREPARATION If you would like help in preparing a CV or need your CV reviewed please contact Tom O'Neil by e-mail
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