This is only a guide to enable job seekers to prepare a better resume
The Aim
The aim of your CV is to secure you an interview. You need to display your relevant skills accurately in a way that encourages the reader/hiring manager to study your details.
Preparing a CV
Please note that the person reading your CV will be busy. They may not take the time to review your skills thoroughly if the content of your CV is hidden behind impressive graphics or colours.
It is also worth noting that some formats will not travel well over the internet – being precise and simple is best.
SECTION ONE
The first page of the CV should capture the following
Career Objective
Technical/skill sets summary – to give the reader an accurate representation of your technical strengths, skills and abilities. List your main skills and provide some indication of the time spent in each different environment. This is also to help the Hiring managers to quickly understand your abilities.
e.g.
Windows NT 18 months
HP – UX 18 months
Direct Sales 48 months
Channel Sales 18 months
SECTION TWO
Employment History/ Professional experience – in reverse chronological order, writing in depth about your current or most recent position. Outline what you have been doing listing the job content/ technologies you have been using/ achievements.
This is the most important section as it must demonstrate a history of success and progression. If your work history is lengthy, then it will be a good idea to give a career summary and then list down one by one. It will be a good idea to detail the last 5 years and list the remaining.
SECTION THREE
Next, list your professional / educational qualifications. List down any additional professional qualifications that is relevant for the job applied for.
When giving your educational details show your highest qualification first. Include details of degree classification, but avoid listing the degree syllabus – this indicates little depth to the rest of the CV content. Only mention the grades and subjects are not relevant.
SECTION FOUR
Basic Information on your first page
Name
Correspondence Address
Telephone Numbers: Home, Work, Mobile (These days there is also a thought that work numbers need not be given as job search is always a personal endeavour.)
E-mail (Set up an Email address specifically for your job searching. You may want to consider getting a dedicated Email address and mobile- just for when you are avidly job hunting.)
Preparing your CV
Do’s
Always be concise. No one has time to read “lengthy resumes”
Always be truthful.
List your employment history in reverse chronological order.
Do’s
Avoid writing the CV from a third party perspective.
Do not make spelling mistakes in your CV.
Do not provide your Date of Birth , specific home address details, banking information or passport number in your CV.
