Hat's a CV or
resume?

It's simply an
advertisement that
helps you sell
yourself to an
employer.

It's simply an
advertisement that
helps you sell
yourself to an
employer.

That is why it is a good idea to spend time
on preparing a targeted, effective, error-
free document that will impress a potential
employer.

Employers see a lot of CVs, so avoid
imitating standard CV samples. You can
score bonus points instead if your CV is
just that little bit different and has your
own personal stamp.

Some tips..!!

> Always print your CV on a standard A4,
plain white or pale coloured paper.
Use matching envelopes.

> Always send a brief customised letter
with any CV that you send out.

> Presentation is extremely important,
so make sure your CV is typed or
word-processed.

> It should be well laid out and printed
on a good quality printer.

> Leave plenty of space between
paragraphs and allow adequate
margins.

> Use plain English. Avoid professional
jargon.

> Keep paragraphs short -- preferably no
longer than five or six lines.

> Your entire CV should not exceed two
pages in length -- but if your breadth
of experience merits it, you can justify
a CV that runs to four pages.

> Use bold lettering and/or underline
print for headings.

> Do not use lots of different font types
and sizes. You are not designing a
magazine cover!

> Use plenty of white space. Remember
to leave a decent margin on all four
sides of the page.

> Consider using 'bullets' to start sub-
sections or lists.

> Use positive language and adopt a
confident tone.

> Be careful with dates. Make sure every
year is accounted for. Employers will
get suspicious if they see too many
gaps.

•The main section of your CV..!!

1. Personal details

•Name
•Address
•Telephone/cellphone number/s (and
•e-mail)
•Date of birth
•Nationality

2. Education

•Details of your university education
•School
•Work-related training

3. Work experience

List past employment details in reverse
chronological order, with the most recent
first. Always reserve more space for your
most recent or current position. Names of
past employers, along with the date of
appointment and the date you left, and a
brief outline of responsibilities is essential.
Some employers also like to see a brief
description of the companies and a
summary of their business.
Always include your specific contributions
to each job, listing related responsibilities
and achievements with each entry, rather
than in a separate section.
List any affiliation to relevant professional
associations.

4. Skills

Employers are often interested in specific
skills you have acquired, such as

•Foreign languages
•Computing languages or packages
•Keyboard skills
•Driving ability
•Try to give specific details, for
example, about your level of
proficiency in foreign languages,
degree of familiarity with computer
packages, and so on.

5. Interests and activities

Do not just list your interests. Show how
they have helped develop skills a potential
employer will value.

6. References

For references, choose people who can
comment on different aspects of your
professional personality. Two references
are usually enough. Only give three if
there is another person whose opinion you
feel your potential employer really needs
to hear.

•General tips..!!

•It can be good to start with a personal
profile/objective statement. This is a
two or three sentence overview of your
skills, qualities, hopes and plans. It
should encourage the employer to
read the rest. You could add a photo
of yourself. Make sure it is a good one!

•You may vary the style according to the
type of job. A big company would
normally expect a formal CV on white
paper. But a CV applying for a
television production or graphics
designer job could be less formal -- in
such cases you can use coloured
paper, unusual design, etc.

•Don't include the date the CV was
prepared -- this will shorten its
usefulness.

•Never state specific objectives. These
are more effective when you include
them in your covering letter.

•Check that both your CV and covering
letter are completely free of errors.
Spelling mistakes will definitely detract
from your application. Proof read both
documents thoroughly. Get a friend to
proof read them as well.

•Keep an ongoing file of your
achievements, no matter how
insignificant they may appear -- one
day they'll make the basis for a good
CV.

•Remember to give each of the people
you've mentioned a reference copy of
your CV.

•Re-read your CV before any interview
-- chances are the interviewer will too
and you must know what's in it.