Lecture 20 - Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Figure 1 : Steps to dream job

"It is an Advertisement about You, Only valid function is to Get You Invited"

 

When should job seekers use a curriculum vitae, commonly referred to as CV. Curriculum Vitae is used primarily when applying for academic, education, scientific or research positions. It is also applicable when applying for fellowships or grants.

Learning from Class:

Today the lecture was entirety revolved around "Curriculum Vitae" topic. Lecturer started the lecture by specifying CV is the main marketing tool which can be used to market your self when you wiling to employe, also CV should be a reflection of your self and capability as well as what you can offer to the organization. As stated in Illinois (2012) a CV should be Relevance, Visual Appeal and Self-Promotion. The further description as mention,

• Relevance - Tailor the CV to the specific positions to which applicant are applying

• Visual Appeal - CVs may only be reviewed for a few seconds. During that time applicant need to convey information and to convincingly describe experiences and potential. CV must be well organized and easy to read.

• Self-Promotion - CV is the principal way that potential employers learn about your experiences and suitability for a position. People should present themselves in the best possible way.

After discussing above facts lecturer stated below facts as well,

A grate CV is the first step towards Dream Job. Its not efficient to use one single CV content and format to apply for various organizations since the job requirements can different as well as some times its depend on the organization background. To avoid above consequences people need to customize or tailor maid their CV to align with organization job requirement.

Simply a CV can influence a person (employer) through applicant's skills (Cognitive Skills, Motor Skills and Effective Skills), experience and achievement.

Objective of an CV

A CV is a sales document that highlights your skills, experience and achievements in such a way that the employer is motivated to meet applicant.

After discussing CV objective, lecturer dived the lecture to another aspect by stating how CV helps to market applicant.

Marketing or Advertising Applicant

• Applicant CV must sell you to a prospective employer, and compete against other applicants

• Applicant curriculum vitae must be presented professionally, clearly, and in a way that indicates an ideal candidate for the job - The right skills, experience, behavior, attitude, that the employer is seeking

• The way applicant present CV effectively demonstrates applicant's ability to communicate, and particularly to explain a professional business proposition

• The challenge in CV writing is to be more appealing and attractive than the rest

• Write down a description of the person they are looking for and use this as a blue-print of the CV. The better the match the more likely called for an interview

After explaining above guidelines lecturer asked to list down some attributes should reflects from a professional CV. They are,

1. Curtious
2. Consistence
3. Credible
4. Precise
5. Planner
6. Good listener
7. Collaboration
8. Punctual
9. Broad minded
10. Innovative

After looked in to above attributes lecturer stated what to content in a CV,

CV Contents

• Personal Data - Include only relevant personal data such as name, address, age, gender and marital status

• Career Objective - Position, Career Aspiration/Goal

• Education - Should include in chronological order

• Work Experiences - Related to industry that applicant applying for

• Professional Affiliations - Forums and Communities (Ex:- CIM, CIMA, ACCA, BCS, ISACA, CSSL)

• Leadership, Honors, Achievements - Special positions and awards that applicant gain.
  References - Should reference non-relative references.

As the main part of this CV topic lecturer discussed some rules that incline for a great CV.

10 Rules to a Great CV  

Rule 1 - Don’t Play resume roulette

•   Customize the each CV that sends to different organization by conducting a thorough research from available resources such Job Ads, Websites, Network and Public Info (Annual Reports, Newspaper, Media Reports and Industrial Specific)

Rule 2 - Skip the Summary (Puffery)

•  Include an Need and the Objective as well as reflect the content based on content of the CV.
• Career objective may include - Applicant career goal, Strengths, Prefer environment to work and contribution applicant given to the company 

Rule 3 -  Sell not Tell

• Eliminate all self serving descriptions and focus on facts
• Give evidence as mush as can

Rule 4 - Mind your Language

• Never use jargon words since CV reader may face difficulty in understanding

• Don't Use "I", Always better to write in 3rd person perspective

Rule 5 - Nothing Personal

• Keep personal details short and add only relevant personal details. Depending on the job that applying for applicant can add hobbies that relating to the career

Rule 6 - Drop the Irrelevant Affiliation

• Affiliations and memberships can be controversial and create an unintended/unwanted consequence

• Don't use following:-

Member of Jewish society (Religious)
Member of the Royal Golf club (elitist)
Member of “Right to abortion” society (trouble
Maker)
Avoid Famous/Public/Political References – include References that are relevant to the job ONLY

Rule 7 - Keep it Real

• Skip the history lesson (focus on a 5 year period)
• Don’t be dishonest instead be creative

Rule 8 - Include a Photo

• Eliminate doubts

• Better chances at the interview

• Serious, well dressed, not a crowded background – professional passport size photo is best

Rule 9 - Write a Cover Letter

• Short and sweet
• Personal name of the Manager
• Re-emphasize your contact details
• Sections

-1st paragraph – Why you are writing
-2nd paragraph – Why the particular vacancy interests you
-3rd Paragraph – What skills, contributions would you bring in. Why pick you over the others
-4th paragraph – Closing. End on positive and futuristic note

Rule 10 - Don’t forget the basics

• Use good paper (conqueror – cream)

• Word Process

• Spell checked

• Easy to read not verbose

• 1 – 2 page (max)

Before concluding the lecture for the day, lecturer stated what to consider before submitting or sending a CV to the applying organization.

Check List for a better CV includes,

• Keep it short - identify accomplishments and present an impression of substance and capability

• Portray what you can do by revealing what you have done

• Highlight results

• Keep it simple and straightforward

• Be accurate

• Use quality resume paper

• Pay attention to the balance of white space and type

And lecturer also highlighted its better to hand over the CV directly to the person whose reviewing rater than placing it through the HR Department.

Reality of the Lecture:

Today lecture was very important to my self since it enables to gain a clear view regarding the Curriculum Vitae and I realized CV is more than just specifying personal information, educational qualifications and activities done. Basically a better CV should reflects who you are and what you want to be in career path. I was able to focus on consequences by tune out the wrong knowledge that I had regarding the CV's that enabled me to properly understand theoretical dimensions such content to be added, flow of information and how to align the CV relating to the applying job. As the final output expected by considering all the facts is to impress the employer at a glans from the CV content and format. In employee perspective the expected achievements is to get invited for a job interview where the submitted CV act likes a foundation to everything. When moving from the theoretically to reality I will use above learnt knowledge to outcome a unique, effective and relevant customized CV that would coup with today's industrial expectations by reflecting the best I can give through the CV which would results high probability to get called for a job interview.      

References:
 
Illinois. (2012). Curriculum Vitae. [Online]. Available at: http://www.grad.illinois.edu/careerservices/cvs [Accessed 23rd August 2012]