Week 10

Résumé/ Curriculum Vitae

Your résumé (British English called curriculum vitae or CV)
is your primary method of communicating with your
prospective employers. It expresses your desire to fill a job
vacancy and describes your qualifications, skills and
credentials.(abilities/experience that make someone suitable f
Strong résumés are clean and error-free. If your résumé
effectively communicates to your would-be employers that
you are the ideal person for the job vacancy, it is mostly
likely that you will be called for an interview and could
ultimately be offered the job you seek.

Note: In a résumé, you are the product you are

selling! Résumé is a self-marketing tool.
Types of Résumés

There are two basic types of résumés: Targeted and general. Either type can have a
chronological, functional or combination arrangement.
1- Targeted Résumé: A targeted résumé is written for a specific job application. It
contains information that shows how you fit for that specific job. Your accomplishments and
skills on the résumé are meant to meet the requirements of the job vacancy, and, therefore,
should be well-written. (Targeted résumé is more powerful and used in solicited job
application)
2- General Résumé: A general résumé describes your qualifications that can be used to
apply for any job. It is appropriate for unsolicited applications.

Résumé Format
There are three basic résumé formats: chronological, functional, and combination.
1- Chronological Format: A chronological résumé has, in each section, information that is
organized by date (chronologically) with the most recent information listed first within the
section. Chronological résumés are more common and more familiar to employers. Study
the examples below:

Education:
 2017: PhD in Computer Science fromAl-Akhawayn University,
Ifrane- Morocco.
 2012: MA in Computer Science fromMohamed V University, Raba-
tMorocco.
 2006: BA from the Faculty of Science andTechnology, University Sid
Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Fe-sMorocco.
 2002:Baccalaureate, Lehcen El Youssi High School, Sef-
rMouorocco.

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The following is a targeted chronological résumé. In targeted résumés, Career
Objective (sometimes called Objective) is included first as the example below
illustrates. (NB: the photo is computer-generated and does not belong to anyone.)

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2- Functional Format
The functional format emphasizes qualifications- skills, knowledge and accomplishments-
rather than past employment. Following are the main six sections that you need to include
in your functional résumé.

Contact Information – Regardless of format, contact info goes at the top.

A

Qualifications Summary – A great résumé introduction for emphasizing

B skills and achievements.

Work Experience – This section can be smaller, and if necessary timeframes

C
can be omitted as well. This is to de-emphasize experience (but not ignore it).

Relevant Skills – Functional résumés are great for anyone who hopes to
D highlight their skills over experience. This section should be larger.

Education – Your highest degree and relevant certifications should be

E
mentioned here.

Awards & Honors – A nice relevant award or honor can help tie
F
things together nicely.

Study the sample below and look how skills and accomplishments are emphasized. The
layout of the résumé and the graphic design may vary from applicant to another. Do not
copy other people’s designs. Be creative and try to make your personalized version.
Organization, clarity, colors, fonts, and the overall building of your résumé do matter!

Note: Do not lie on your résumé.

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3- Combination (or Hybrid) Format
Some applicants use a combination résumé, which blends the strengths of the chronological
format with the strengths of the functional format. The following is an example of the
combination format.

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