Guidelines for a good CV
Isebell Gauche
A well written document that attracts the positive attention of
the employer or recruitment officer can be classified as a good
CV. Many resumes attract attention, but for the wrong reasons.
Don't let yours fall into the last category.
Before you post or deliver your resume check whether it fits the
requirements of a good CV. Below are some tips to follow
to ensure that you have a good CV.
Cover letter
What a waste to send out resumes to prospective employers without
attaching cover letters. Simply stated, you should have used the
time to relax next to the pool. The cover letter is essential as
it provides a glimpse into your resume and the reason for sending
it. If I receive several resumes everyday and they are unsolicited,
I will at least need an explanation for the resumes. This is where
the cover letter comes in. It provides motivation for the resume.
A resume is thus always accompanied by a well written cover
letter. The cover letter should summarise in a few lines why
you send the resume and why you are the best person for the job.
Don't make mistakes in the cover letter as this will lead to a negative
impression. If you cannot get the marketing right then you definitely
are not the person for the job!
Content of the resume
Content is king not only on the web, but also when it comes to
job applications. Make sure that all information listed is relevant,
accurate, and professional. Stay away from paragraphs and essays.
Show you have respect for the reader's time by getting to the point.
Grammar and style
A good CV will be written in professional language and will be
informative. It should capture the attention of the recruiter without
sounding like a mail letter advertisement. No grammar mistakes are
allowed. You have a spell checker - use it, but don't rely on it.
Read through your resume at least four times and have someone else
with excellent language skills proofread it as well before you email
or post it.
Highlights achievements
It is great. You have a long job history and amazing skills, but
you need to show accomplishments in your jobs not just a list of
boring detail describing your jobs. Show that you stand out. More
important - show relevancy to the job by matching your skills with
that required by the employer for the specific position.
Targeted
Have you ever emailed or posted twenty or so resumes to employers
in a hit and run way? Did you get a job that way? If so, you were
lucky. Generic resumes don't stand out and the employer's trained
eye can see a desperate attempt. Rather show that you have done
your homework. Tailor every resume for a particular job. It is more
work and time consuming, but as with everything else in life - the
more you put in, the better your return.
Format according to country
Use the standard of your particular region or the country where
you apply. A well written resume will thus show that you understand
the job culture of a particular province or country. Make no mistake.
In Japan a picture is needed. In the UK - only if you are an entertainer.
USA resumes are short whilst the South African resume can be a bit
longer. If the country prefers personal information at the beginning
of the resume, then do as the Romans do.
References
A good CV doesn't have to include references, but will include
a sentence that states that references are available upon request.
|
