Unless you have more than 10 years of experience, your résumé should be no longer than one page. Use a simple layout.
1. Know what you want.
Compose a clearly stated job objective. State what you want to do, for whom, where, and at what level of responsibility.
2. Stand out from the crowd.
Instead of just listing your job skills, describe the benefits and results of your performance. For each permanent job or staffing assignment, develop a list of major accomplishments, placing the most emphasis on your recent achievements.
* What problems or challenges have you faced?
* What actions did you take to overcome them?
* How did your actions benefit the company?
* Keep in mind that most companies value workers who enhance profits and save time and money.
3. Sell yourself.
You only have one shot to make a great impression!
Your résumé is a word picture of yourself. Showcase your strengths and one or two outstanding skills or abilities. List your education, training, and any relevant awards.
4. Never list the reasons for termination or leaving a job on the résumé.
The reader can find negative connotations for even the best reason. You’re far better off explaining employment lapses in person.
5. Make sure the résumé and the cover letter are error-free.
Proofread, and have others proofread them, too. Make your CV understandable by avoiding jargon and using plain English.
When applying for a job, many employers request that you submit a CV. What is a CV and what purpose does it serve? How do you make your CV stand out over the others? A CV is a short concise document which summarizes your past professional skills and experiences. The purpose of this document is to demonstrate that you have the necessary skills (and some complementary ones) to do the job for which you are applying.
Steps to write it
1. Make a list of jobs you have held in the past (include dates).
2. Make a list of qualifications you have obtained.
3. Make a list of hobbies and interests.
4. Use these lists to draw up a list of key skills which set you apart from other candidates.
5. Reference each key skill to a job you have performed in the past. Keep in mind that key skills don't have to be obtained from paid employment alone; teamwork, for example, can be demonstrated through many sports activities such as football. Leadership skills can be demonstrated by referencing that holiday you organized or some other event you arranged.
6. Use as many verbs as possible. Here is a list that should get you started:
* achieved, acquired, adapted, addressed, administered, analyzed, anticipated, assembled, assisted, audited,
* budgeted,
* calculated, centralized, changed, collaborated, composed, condensed, conducted, constructed, contracted, converted, coordinated, created, cultivated,
* demonstrated, designed, developed, devised, discovered, doubled, drafted,
* edited, eliminated, enforced, established, evaluated, expanded, explained,
* forecast, formed, founded,
* generated, guided,
* hired,
* implemented, improved, informed, insured, interpreted, interviewed,
* launched,
* maintained, managed, marketed, minimized, mobilized, motivated,
* negotiated,
* obtained, operated, organized, originated, oversaw, out-performed,
* performed, planned, prevented, produced, promoted, provided, publicized, published,
* recruited, reorganized, reported, researched, resolved, reviewed,
* selected, separated, set up, simplified, solved, surveyed, staffed, supervised,
* targeted, tasked, taught, tested, trained,
* utilized.
7. Do not lie. This is critical. It is acceptable to exaggerate to make things sound a little more impressive than they actually were, but if you tell blatant lies your potential employer could ask you questions which you are unable to answer. More importantly, you can be fired later if it is discovered that you lied on your application or resume.
8. Make a list of key sections or categories (these may be different for each job you apply for depending on what you wish to emphasize): Personal Information, Education and Qualifications, Skills & Experience, Technical Skills, Employment, Hobbies and Interests, References.
9. Submit your CV to an employer for whom you have no intention to work. Ask him or her to review your CV and provide any feedback.
10. Ensure your CV is no more than four pages long. It is a summary, not your life history. If your prospective employer wants to know more, they will ask!
11. Provide contact details along with the dates and times you are available to work. Be as flexible as possible!
