3. What is a CV
CurriculumVitae
An Italian Word
Means
Course of Life
4. A CV is a written description of your work experience,
educational background and skills
Mainly, It should reflect the developments in a
professional's career
5. Marketing tool
First impression is the one which lasts
Request for an interview
We are always looking for jobs
Your “big picture”
A detailed snapshot of your professional and
academic life
7. Difference between Academic & Corporate
Resume(s)
Academic
Used for academic applications (graduate student applications,
scholarship applications)
Usually more detailed
Focuses mainly on academic achievements,
Relevant projects and courses mentioned
Corporate
Used for getting jobs
Specific to the needs of the employer
Focuses mainly on work experience and relevant academic affiliations
8. CV Format
Header
Objective
Education
Honors/Activities
Work Experience
Research Experience/Projects
9. Header Section
Name
Must be the first line of resume
Bold
Larger than the largest font used in body
Address
Current address preferable
Email Address
Use professional email addresses preferably with name
Phone number
Preferably use both home and cell phone numbers
10. Objective
Optional but highly recommended
Statement must be clear, concise and to the point
Bad: “I want to get a job”
Weak: “To attain an internship in livestock industry.”
Good: “To attain an internship in the livestock industry with detailed
insight into genomics and bioinformatics.”
Avoid being over specific
Target the company’s perspective
11. Educational qualifications from highest to lowest
Do not use high school details once you have graduated
Must include years in school
Example
OCT 2015 – JUNE 2019. Bachelors of Computer Science.
Faculty of Computer Sciences. University of South Asia.
Lahore. Pakistan
12. Work Experience Section
Assist. Manager Marketing
DEC, 2015 – DEC 2016
NESTLE. Pakistan
Responsibilities:
13. Honors/Awards/Activities Section
This section should scream “I am a leader”
Must contain all academic and professional awards
May include extra-curricular awards
Include a brief description if not self-evident from title
Don’t include hobbies or activities not related to the job or your story
Good to include leadership positions
14. References
One of the most crucial things
Follow the requirement
If not mentioned, then “On Request/demand”
Ask referees beforehand
Use the best ones
15. Additional Sections
ProfessionalCertificates/Licenses
Specialized Experience
Publications/Theses
AdditionalTraining/Assistantships
Membership/Affiliations
Volunteer Experience/Community Service
Language or Computer Skills
Continuing Education
17. Electronic CV
Email Attachment
Currently the most widely used delivery method
PDF most widely used format
Easily convert your MicrosoftWord CV to PDF using various online
resources (www.pdfonline.com)
18. Do’s
Professionalism
One page only (for corporate CVs)
Stick to the truth
Focus on achievements and results
Maintain a consistent writing style
Avoid the use of “I” or “my”
Modify your CV according to requirement
Use easy-to-read language
Get grammar and punctuation correct
Follow the instructions
Proofread
Spell Check
Update your CV regularly
19. Don’t’(s)
USE ALL CAPITAL LETTERS
Harder to read
Avoid whitespace
Actually avoid using border lines
Include a picture of yourself
It’s not the cover of a fashion magazine
Use extremely professional image when asked by employer
Use several fonts to catch their attention
Creates a “ransom effect”
UseTimes New Roman or Arial
Focus on you and your needs
Employers are not interested on who you are but what you can do
20. Don’t(s)
Use templates to construct your resume
Don’t use fancy ones
You have got other ways to show your creativity
Use superlatives to emphasis your work
Informative and stick to the basic facts
Use long flowing sentences
Short, concise and to the point
Print your resume on “day glow” paper
It is not going to an art workshop
Illogical Order Use
Use relevant information at the beginning