CV WRITING GUIDE - MARKETING YOUR SKILLS CONTRIBUTOR: CAREERS SERVICE, ANNA PERSSON

Transcription

1 CV WRITING GUIDE - MARKETING YOUR SKILLS CONTRIBUTOR: CAREERS SERVICE, ANNA PERSSON

2 WHAT IS A CV? A CV is a summary of your education, employment history and experiences. Your CV is a marketing tool and may be one of the most important documents you write in your professional life. WHAT SHOULD A CV INCLUDE? There are several sections that almost every CV must have, including: Contact information Career objective Education Work experience Your CV should be easy to read quickly and contain all necessary and relevant information.

3 CONTACT INFORMATION Make sure your potential employers can contact you. Include your name, current address, phone number and . You could also include a link to your LinkedIn profile or web page. CAREER OBJECTIVE Career objective is a brief statement that expresses your professional goal. This statement helps employers to determine whether your goal is in line with their organization and the position available. Take your time to create a powerful opening for your CV. Make sure your objective is short and concise. Focus on What s in it for them. - A good way to do this is by listing a key skill and how you add value with that skill. Be specific!

4 EXAMPLES OF CAREER OBJECTIVES Computer Technology: Seeking a position which will allow me to utilize my network administrator skills in a NT/Novell environment interoperating with WAN/LAN connectivity. Accounting/ Finance: Seeking a position in the accounting field where my excellent analytical and technical skills can be utilized to improve the company's profitability. Education: To obtain a position as an Elementary School Teacher in which a strong dedication to the total development of children and a high degree of enthusiasm can be fully utilized.

5 EXAMPLES OF CAREER OBJECTIVES Graphic design: Seeking a graphic design position in a company where I can utilize my graphic and creative skills to produce quality products. Human Resources: A position in the Human Resources field where I can utilize proven people oriented skills to develop and promote a positive work environment. Marketing: Seeking a marketing position with an organization where demonstrated skills in marketing, administration and sales can be used to increase profitability and promote growth.

6 EDUCATION In the education section you should start with the highest degree you have earned. Provide details like: Name of University or Institution Date of graduation Level of degree WHERE TO PLACE YOUR EDUCATION Place education before work experience if you are a recent graduate or have few years of work experience. If you are changing careers and have continued your education to support your new goal, it s a good idea to put the education first. Academic and scientific professionals typically place education before experience on their CVs.

7 WORK EXPERIENCE When providing your work history, make sure you highlight the positive, but be sure to never exaggerate your past roles. A reverse chronological order of work experience is often recommended. It means that you are listing your most present jobs first and then going backwards.

8 FORMATTING YOUR WORK HISTORY In order to keep your work history easy to read, try the format below: Name of the Company, Company Location (City) Dates of employment (Months or Years) Your job title Bulleted list of your responsibilities Example: Wayne s Coffee, Malmö, Summer Counter Service Assistant, June August 2013 Worked a full summer in franchise environment Helped customers to make selections Kept counter and eating areas clean Performed daily inventory counts You may also want to include skills learned. Try to connect your previous experience with the position you are currently applying for.

9 OTHER SECTIONS OF YOUR CV In addition to the basic sections, you may also want to include other important sections to provide a more accurate idea of your skills, experiences and achievements etc. These can include the following: Computer skills Languages Honors and awards Volunteer experience Hobbies and interests International experience Certifications

10 5 TIPS FOR WRITING A TARGETED STUDENT CV With competition for both internships and jobs, it s critical that your resume is not only written, formatted and presented correctly, but also that it captures the reader s attention instantly. Did you know? Studies show that hiring managers and recruiters spend an average of 30 seconds or fewer for looking at each CV when it s first received. There are no exact rules to follow that will ensure your resume gets noticed, but there are several things you can do to help the situation.

11 1. CREATING THE FIRST RIGHT IMPRESSION When applying for jobs, your CV sets the stage for you. Ensure that your CV is reader friendly. Use headings and bullet points. Even a small detail can have a big impact, so it's well worth it to take the extra time to craft an exceptional CV. 2. USE CORRECT SPELLING AND GRAMMAR Make sure you proofread your CV and have a friend or two proofread it for you as well. Incorrect spelling or bad grammar immediately reduces your professionalism and creates a negative impression on the reader. Another tip is to convert your resume from a word document into a PDF. It looks more professional, and it also eliminates any chance of those blue or red lines appearing underneath certain words or sentences.

12 3. FOCUS ON ACHIEVEMENTS A recruiter and hiring manager wants to know how you can add value to their organization. Make sure you include a number of achievebased examples. If you completed extra-curricular activities or volunteer work, don t merely list the organizations. Instead, focus on your achievements within those areas or provide examples of where you made a positive difference.

13 4. USE STRATEGIC KEYWORDS Your resume should include the same keywords that appear in job descriptions. That way you will increase your chances of your resume matching available positions - and of being selected for an interview. Create your key word list: Look at three or more job descriptions for the position you re seeking and note the must haves. From this list, identify the qualifications that you possess and use them as a starting point to write a skills summary. Describing your accomplishments with action verbs communicate results and make your CV more interesting. Examples of action verbs are: planned, developed, presented, generated, completed, communicated and designed. 5. KEEP YOUR CV HONEST Your resume is a reflection of who you are, so what you write on your resume matters. Be honest and accurate. Whatever is stated should be true. You want to be sure to highlight your qualifications, accomplishments, education and professional effectively without over exaggerating.