EN 9 (Technical Writing) July 29, 2011

General Outline for a Resume

Contact

details. qualifications and

Profile.
Education,

training. Career history. Major achievements. IT skills (optional). Personal details (optional). References (optional).

Curriculum Vitae vs. Resume

A

resume is a one or two page summary of your skills, experience and education. It is brief and concise - no more than a page or two. Curriculum Vitae is longer (at least three pages) and has a more detailed synopsis.

Curriculum Vitae vs. Resume

A

Curriculum Vitae includes a summary of your educational and academic backgrounds as well as teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors, affiliations and other details. In Europe, the Middle East, Africa, or Asia, employers may expect to receive a curriculum vitae.

Which CV format will work best for you?

Chronological
Functional Targeted

Alternative

Chronological
This

is the most traditional format and the one you're probably most familiar with.
also good if you're changing fields but in a very similar kind of job. career history is shown in reverse chronological order, with a strong emphasis on job titles and the names of your employers.

It's

Your

Chronological
This

is good if your current or previous employers are well-known organizations. also shows your career development clearly. like the Chronological CV because it is clear and easy to read.

It

People

Functional
If

you've had a varied career or are seeking to change direction, this format may be suitable. highlights the main achievements and functions (skills, competencies or expertise) of your work history. titles and company names are reduced in importance and sometimes even left out altogether.

It

Job

Functional
It

may strengthen your application if you want to draw attention to skills that haven't been used in your most recent work. also works if you've had many varied jobs, as it allows you to sum up your overall experience.

It

Targeted

This

type of CV emphasizes the skills and experiences that are directly relevant to the kind of job or field you're applying for.
extremely useful when you're planning a change of career direction.

It's

Targeted
It

focuses on your abilities and achievements used not just recently, but across your entire career. It can encompass relevant voluntary or unpaid experience. also means that you can aim for several completely different jobs, using a CV that's adjusted for each.

It

Alternative
This

kind of CV is most often used by talented people seeking work in the creative industries - e.g. design, media or public relations is highly individual and uses a one-off visual style. suitable only for applications for posts requiring exception visual or verbal talent, and then only when the application is being made directly to the person the applicant will be working for.

It

It's

What personal details and interests should you include on your CV?
1. Your name, address and contact details should always head the CV with your name in a larger font. Also include your home and mobile phone numbers, and your email address. If including a current work number, always say whether there are times when it is appropriate to call you. Be sure that you can regularly check whichever numbers you provide, as the employer may be trying to set up an interview.

What personal details and interests should you include on your CV?
It

used to be normal to provide more personal details, such as gender, date of birth and marital status, at the top of your CV. However, times have changed and it is no longer necessary to include these details on a CV. If you do want to include any of these details it is best to list them at the end of the CV.

What personal details and interests should you include on your CV?
You

might wish to include your date of birth, but it isn't always expected nowadays. If you are looking for a job in the country where you were educated, an employer can usually calculate your age from your educational background. You may be worried that your age will put employers off. You could omit it, but your Career History will usually give some hints as to your age group.

What personal details and interests should you include on your CV?
Marital

Status doesn't need to be included in today's CV, although for specific jobs it can be helpful to be upfront about this. For instance, if the job you're applying for involves unsociable hours or lots of travel, stating that you are single could be advantageous.

What personal details and interests should you include on your CV?
Nationality

isn't essential. Use your judgment to decide whether your nationality is of concern to the employer involved and include it if you think it is.
of hobbies and interests is entirely optional. On the one hand, it helps provide a rounded picture of you that goes beyond Career History.. This section can be especially useful if you're at the start of your career.

Inclusion

What personal details and interests should you include on your CV?

You may want to include your name in a small font in the bottom right hand corner of your CV. Use the footer in a word processing document and include the page number alongside. This is useful in case the two pages of your CV become separated during photocopying. When you write your covering letter, make sure your personal details are presented in exactly the same way as on your CV. If your CV is in a Word document, check its properties. Do this by going to the File menu and clicking on Properties. Look at the Summary and ensure your name appears in the Author box. Some employers check this to see whether you have written the CV yourself!

Ten more things to leave out of your CV

1. Lists of publications If you're a scientist or academic, include these only if they are asked for. However, significant publications may be included as achievements. 2. Very personal information Don't include your age (although your date of birth is OK), weight, height, health, sex, race or marital status. It's irrelevant and some facts could be used in a discriminatory way. 3. Jargon and abbreviations Avoid using any information that won't be understood by someone outside your job or organization. The exceptions to this are abbreviations recognized industry-wide.

Ten more things to leave out of your CV

4. Poor photocopies Always use good original laser prints. Poor quality copies suggest you're sending the CV out to lots of companies because you're desperate. 5. Mistakes and typos Always check your CV for incorrect spellings and factual errors. Then check it again. Then ask someone else to check it. Errors make you look careless and disorganized. 6. Excessive wordiness This is a working document, so keep it factual and don't go over the top with conversational descriptions.

7. Negatives Don't be apologetic over what you believe may be missing from your CV. Focus on your positive attributes. 8. Irrelevancies Don't include your gap year travel history, previous managers' names, the middle name that you never use, etc. 9. Cheap paper If you post a printed copy of your CV or you take a copy of your CV to an interview make sure your CV is printed on good quality paper. This will make your application stand out and it costs very little to buy quality paper. 10. Exaggerations Stick to the truth. You never know when misleading statements might backfire.

Top 10 tips for producing a better Curriculum Vitae

1. Keep it short and clear 2. Make it look good 3. Most recent first 4. Include many facts 5. Not too many lists 7. Be accurate 8. Adapt it 9. Send a cover letter 10. Be truthful