how to write contemporary cv

How to write a contemporary CV?

Agenda

What is CV?

Why do you need CV?

CV Layout

CV Do’s

CV Don’ts

What is CV?

A document that enables you to show a potential internship provider or employer that your skills, knowledge and experience are just what they are looking for.

Curriculum Vitae (or “CV”), Origin is Latin- “course of one’s life”.. A CV offers a snapshot of who you are. Think about the first page of a book - it either holds your

attention or it doesn't

Treat your CV as an advertisement for you and be sure to thoroughly "sell" yourself by highlighting all of your skills and strengths relevant to the position for which you are

applying

Types of Curriculum Vitae

Organizes employment and volunteer experiences chronologically with the most recent information first.

Pros and Cons: Good for demonstrating growth in a single profession: job titles and

organizations are emphasized and responsibilities and accomplishments are described in detail.

This format is suitable for individuals with continuous work experience who have not had frequent job changes or prolonged periods of unemployment.

It is not always the best choice for students right out of school.

Chronological


Highlights the skills you have developed over the years and their application to the job for which you are applying.

Pros and Cons: What is critically important when writing a functional C.V. is to match your skills and

qualification clusters with the employer’s needs. This format clusters skills and qualifications under specific headings. For example, you

may include headings such as Communications Skills, Leadership Skills, Project Management, Teamwork, etc.

This format is suitable for individuals who want to emphasize skills gained in non-paid experiences (volunteer, extra-curricular) or the classroom.

It may be particularly effective for individuals entering a new field in which they have little direct experience. Job candidates who are entering new fields or have experience unrelated to their career goals might want to choose this format.

Functional


The combined C.V. is the format of choice. It has flexibility that comes fromcombining both the chronological and functional formats.

Pros and Cons:

This format stresses your skills and accomplishments, but also provides a chronological work history.

The combined C.V. is particularly suitable for students because it lists your relevant work experience, but also highlights your abilities and transferable skills that may have been learned in the classroom or non-paid environments.

Combined

Starting points…

A CV should not exceed two A 4 pages and many readers prefer one page. Make sure that the relevant information is easy to access, use short

sentences or bullet points. Make sure you list all your experience (work, education and voluntary) in

reverse chronological order. Always put the most relevant information first. Avoid using “I, me, mine“ in your descriptions. Think about the use of blank space and paragraphs; this can make the

information easier to read. Check spacing and alignment for consistency. Use an easy to read font such as Arial or Times New Roman, 10 or 12 point. Format variations, such as bold, italics, and CAPITALIZATION, create visual

appeal – use these tools but don’t go overboard. It is important to check your spelling and grammar. Proofread, proofread and proofread

Don’t forget…

Your CV is not the story of your life but it should tell the story why you are the right candidate for a position.

The quality of your CV will depend just as much on what you leave out as what you put in.

It is vital that you tailor your CV and cover letter according to the organization and role you are applying for. You will create a good impression if you can show that you have done your research.

The average amount of time an employer will spend looking at a CV is just 20 to 30 seconds.

Think about it:

What do they need to know given such a short space of time?

Most frequently-asked CV questions…

Length? Content? Sections? Appearance? Objective? Features? Typing? Paper? Scanning? Internet? Critiques?

CV Layout

Section What Employers are looking for?

Your identity and to contact you

To check if their requirement and your objective match

To check if you have the basic qualification for the job/internship you are applying for

To see if you have done anything that reflects your potential capability. Also, to see how different are you from your peers

How equipped are you in terms of your personality traits aswell as occupational skills

Is there anything else significant and relevant you want toshowcase, that will add value to your resume

Header

Objective/Summary

Education

PracticalExperience/

Projects

Skills

Other (Not in Order)

CV Layout

Optional parts Memberships/Honors/Awards Achievements Projects Publications/presentations Relevant coursework Languages Interest/Activities Volunteer work Additional section Personal website

Personal details

This includes… Full name permanent address Phone number E-mail address Optional website addressOptional parts:Personal profiles and when these are used? Father's name Photographs Nationality Religion Genders Health status Marital and parental status Date of birth

Sample

Incorrect:

Sobia Riaz.Gali Sheikh Nadaale Wali, Muhallah Toheed Pora, Qila Didar Singh,

GujranwalaTel: 1- 646-222-2222 Email: [email protected]

Sample

Correct:

Sobia RiazSt# 4, H# 7, Qila Didar Singh, Gujranwala

Tel: +92-304-2454876 Email: [email protected]

Rules for photograph

Sobia Riaz

St# 4, H# 7, Qila Didar Singh, Gujranwala

Tel: +92-304-2454876

Email: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Summary/Career Objective

Rules:

Indicates specific position for which you are applying Simple, clear, and concise Does not need to be a complete sentence (usually a short, one-line

phrase) Take advantage of information from the job advertisement (use key

words in your objective) Don’t be wordy and don’t add unnecessary information Don’t get too “ME” centered Use action verbs



Where to start: Initially start with a sentence that very briefly explains who you are, for

instance: “A highly focused, resourceful and goals orientated sales executive with

vast experience in marketing financial products”

What to write at the end: At the end state your career aims, what sort of position you are looking for and

with what sort of company. Like:

“Currently looking for a suitable sales managerial position with an ambitious and exciting financial services company”

How we can write?


Tips when writing a personal summary:

Always write a personal summary as the third person, never as the first person. The employer knows that it is you who has written the CV and by writing it as the third person you can save yourself having to continuously repeat the phrase ‘I am….’

Below are some examples of writing as a third person is: “a committed, competent and very capable sales assistant who has over ….”

What to mention in a personal summary? What not to mention in a personal summary? Meaningless introductions ?

Sample

“Dynamic motivator and problem-solver with excellent organizational skills looking to pursue a career in the area of Public Relations, Marketing and Broadcasting. Proven administrative capabilities and experienced in training and project coordination.”

“Extensive knowledge of computer hardware, computer communications, and systems engineering. Strong team-building, multitasking and communication skills due to 2 years sales experience. Quick learner and effective decision-maker.”

Education

This includes…

What?Where?When?

High School Diploma

Associates Degree

Advanced Associates Degree

Bachelors Degree

Masters Degree

Doctoral Degree

Education

Academic Majors and Minors?Grade Point Averages ?Relevant Coursework

Only if it’s related in some way to the job you’re applying for List it as a subheading under EDUCATION Don’t list everything and Don’t list course numbers

Other items to include

Education

Certification:

Certified Training Vocational Training Teaching Certification Online certification Other Certificates indicating educational training

Remember to stick to the What/Where/When format

Other items to include

Sample

Education

Master in Business Administration-HRM date-date(expected)University of the Punjab Gujranwala Campus

Bachelor in Business Administration-HRM date-dateUniversity of the Punjab Gujranwala Campus, CGPA 3.3/4.0

Bachelor of Arts; History Honors, Minor in Political Science date-date Gift University, GujranwalaGraduated with First Class Honors and CGPA of 3.7/4.0

Certification and Additional TrainingDiploma in Graphic Design date-datePunjab University, Lahore

Work Experience

List your experience in chronological order starting with the most recent. Include the period of employment (season, month and/or year). Specify the position titles (create one if need be; ex. “Office Worker” if you

had a general position in an office environment). Include the name and location of the organization (city, province; country if

not in Pakistan). Describe your responsibilities and write specific examples to demonstrate

your soft and transferable skills such as communication, leadership, and organization.

Emphasize the elements of your previous jobs that relate to your career objective.

Write using action verbs in single lines

In this section

Work Experience

This section is the single most important place to sell yourself to a potential employer.

With so many to read, employers often skim CV, looking for:– Key job titles– Specific skills– Relevant qualifications

Stick to the What/Where/When format. The skills you include on your CV should be connected to the skills required

in the job you are seeking.

In this section

Work Experience

Administered Analyzed AppraisedAssembled Budgeted CoachedCompiled Conducted CoordinatedDesigned Developed EvaluatedFacilitated Managed MonitoredNegotiated Planned RepairedPrinted Recorded RecruitedServed Supervised TaughtTranslated Wrote Reviewed

Good skill-related verbs

Alfalah Bank limited, Gujranwala, summer 2014 Intern, Credit Derivative Operations Support• Collaborated with colleagues in other departments, including Sales Desk,

Client Service Team, Trade Assistant, and Legal department to solve trade discrepancies

• Prioritized client requirements and assigned workload in order to meet urgent deadlines, greatly minimizing business risks

• Prepared trade confirmations for Credit Derivatives for hedge funds and investment banks

• Obtained structured product training to gain exposure to various types of structured credit derivatives

MS Enterprises Limited, Lahore, 2011-2013Intern, Accounting & Finance, Logistic Management Support• Provided consistent support for daily logistics process• Contributed to productivity of team by working proactively and following up

on issues for departments

Sample

According to a 2013 survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the top qualities/skills employers seek in new hires are: Ability to verbally communicate with persons inside and outside the

organization Ability to make decisions and solve problems Ability to obtain and process information Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work Ability to analyze quantitative data Technical knowledge related to job Proficiency with computer software programs Ability to create and/or edit written reports Ability to sell or influence others

Skills

Questions can be used to trigger your memory of past achievements: Did you receive some form of recognition (award, title, trophy, etc.)? Did you intervene in a situation that could have become a serious

problem had you not detected it? Did you make a suggestion that was adopted by your classmates,

team or coworkers? Did you accomplish a task using less than the usual resources? Did you satisfy a particularly difficult client? Did you initiate something? Have you trained or taught people?

Achievements

To help you identify your achievements, you could use the S.T.A.R. technique:

Situation Provide a brief overview of the situation.Task Outline the specific task or responsibility you were asked to

accomplish. Action Explain the action or activities you took and why.Result Describe the positive result or outcome of your actions

Achievements

Quantify your achievements: If possible, apply specific numbers to any listed achievement. It is because numbers are indication for a success. For instance: If you saved time, write how much time you saved – Time is money. If you improved annual sales, provide figures to showcase the

revenue increase. If you improved QA, provide numbers – good quality saves money

Achievements

Extra-Curricular Activities, Interests, and Volunteer Experience

Peer Educator March 2014 Punjab University Career and Placement Service, Punjab University Lahore• Met with students to review and offer feedback on their C.V.’s and cover letters• Organized classroom presentations to promote activities and services

Conference Organizer October 2013 Pakistan Constitutional Affairs Conference • Designed and maintained Conference’s website

Customers Dealing July 2013Meer Studio, Gujranwala• Increased customer satisfaction level• Managed accounts and stock

Trainee, Master Tiles April 2011

Volunteer work

Match interests & activities with a job you are applying for Ask yourself

what have you liked or disliked about each activity? What did you learn from each activity ?

Interests/Activities

Possible Additional Sections

• Awarded President’s Scholarship• Obtained First Class Honors in bachelor in Business Administration

from University of the Punjab Gujranwala campus • Remained president of debating society for three years in University

of the Punjab Gujranwala campus

Honors/Awards

“Available on Request”

Create a list of references on a separate page Always ask first Use professional information, not personal List Name, title, organization, address, and contact info. Do not ask family or friends, but consider employers, professors, scout

leaders, clergy who know you well enough to address your talents and attributes as an employee, student or good citizen

Keep them updated on your job hunt.

References

Importance of good grammar in a CV

Weak vocabulary can get your CV rejected easily Certain rules are applicable for professional writing CV is supposed to be polished and formal Strong writing skills are valuable in CV

Incorrect punctuation Mr.Jones ,says Ms.Moree ,is a boring old foll Established different plas and stratergies that ’’ profit’’ increased

Spelling errorsUniversity:University of PunjbSkills:Proficient in Power PointExperience:Established new depatment to enhance the efficincy

Improper use of apostrophes Worked with million’s of people throughout my career Developed new plan’s to enhance the efficiency of company

Common grammatical mistakes

First person pronoun error I solved an IT issue I expect to graduate this year I developed new plans to enhance the efficiency

Past tense error Duties included MANAGING a group of young people Have experience in WORKING within a group of professionals

WRONG USE OF ‘’a’’ and ‘’an” Received ‘’a’’ honour from president Worked in ‘’an’’ unit situated in Islamabad


WRONG USE OF AND Made following changes in my previous job :e.g Won many prizes from all over the world :i.eWRONG USE OF they’re Collaborated with colleagues to solve they’re trade discrepancies Worked they’re for five years Developed new plans in HBL to increase they’re profitWRONG USE OF You’re You’re skills donot match with the specific job requirements You’re typing skills are not good enough for this job


Effects of bad grammar on cv

Ruin your credibility Create immediate bad impression Expose you as poor communicator Hiring manager reject you immediately Portray you someone who is sloppy CV with bad grammar is discarded easily

Benefits of good grammar on cv

Make you a competent candidate Make CV more understandable Prevents misunderstanding Allow to communicate better with audience Create good first impression of the candidate Makes candidate unique from other candidates

Importance of good grammar in a CV

Dealing with different circumstances

Is your experience hard to summarize? Is there is something in your background that is difficult to portray in a

positive light? Are there situations where you fear prejudice?

Career change Reasons for career change can be set off in cover letter Can also mention in personal profile in CV Emphasize on transferable skills in your experienceMature students Anti-age discrimination legislation is in practice Old graduate has a lot to offer to potential employer High light the specific skills that make you unique Skills-based CV is more suitableFragmented past experience Have past experience irrelevant to what you are applying now Present it by giving a brief chronology list your skills backed up with good examples


Under-rated experience Experience from not-for-money jobs is under valued Use assertive language to highlight this kind of experience Examples: Empathy , multi tasking ,dependabilityPoor or non-relevant academic record Give a convincing reason for moving into a new area Stress the general transferable skills Focus on experience in case of poor academic record High light your ability to cope with work in case of being over

qualified place this thing in the beginning of CV


Situations where you fear prejudice

Disability or poor health Mental health Unemployment Work permit required Criminal record

Disability or poor health Social and legal discrimination against disabled is unacceptable Better to delay this information in CV If mentioning stress on the way of coping with itMental health Discrimination against mental health problems is not allowed Be careful in providing info to the employer Honesty may reduce the confusion later Present your experience in a positive wayUnemployment Cover this area by highlighting the skills you’ve acquired in this time Date the work experience to avoid gaps alternatively If neither is applicable be honest and explain the genuine reason

Situations where you fear prejudice

Lying in your CV

Consequences can lead to Immediately rejected Name potentially blacklisted by prominent companies Immediate dismissal Humiliation Prosecution ImprisonmentWhy some people falsify their CVs? Securing an interview Omitting certain key facts, white lies, small fibs Evidence to back up your claims during or after the interview

Lying in your CV

Falsifying educational qualifications Hiding career gaps Dates of employment Being fired from a previous job Inflating a previous job title or position Levels of responsibility in previous employment Hiding criminal records or prison sentences Exaggerating the salary of a previous job Work experience and skill sets Reasons for leaving previous employment Lying about your age Personal interests and hobbies Ability to speak a foreign language

Most common falsehoods in CV

Employers can catch out candidates inflated their CV Hire specialist companies to conduct background checks Ask for proof of your claims i.e. documentation, original certificates

etc. Ask probing questions and thereby catch out an applicant may have

stated something on their CV but at an interview say something entirely different

Write to your previous employers Carry out CRB (Criminal Reference Bureau) checks Mandatory checks by employers Worst case scenarios Honesty is best practice

Lying in your CV

How to send CV electronically

Tips…

Sending in a hard copy paper version

Avoid using elaborate shading, brackets or fancy fonts

Use popular common typefaces

Do not send your CV on colored paper

Send as Microsoft Word documents or PDF formats

Use a high resolution laser printer

Sending CV via email

When you‘re first starting out, use social media as a research tool to follow people and companies.

When you‘re ready, connect with professionals and use social media to establish your credibility, promote yourself and demonstrate your skills, values, and professionalism.

Tweeting, blogging and commenting on blogs or LinkedIn about things you know can build your online credibility

Online tools you can use in creating an online presence

LinkedIn Twitter Blogging Online Portfolio/Personal Website

Create an Effective Online Presence

ANY QUESTION?

THANK YOU

how to write contemporary cv

Presentations & Public Speaking