How To Get The Job You Really
Really Want - Creating The
Perfect CV
Your CV is the main method by which you will get job
interviews. It therefore follows that your Curriculum Vitae is a
very important document. Hopefully you will have studied chapter
two in depth and know exactly how you want to portray
yourself as far as skills and abilities are concerned, and know
exactly what you are looking to achieve. With that in mind, in
this chapter I am going to concentrate on how to put your CV
together physically, ie; what information should be contained,
where it should be, and how it should be presented.
Before I do so, it is important that your CV contains
some sell. The best way to do this is to give you an
example. I have seen loads of CV's during my time in the industry,
and it never fails to beat me why people write CV's like this;-
Professional Footballer -
Played in
attack. Received ball from wingers and midfield. Passed ball to
other attackers, and/or midfield players. Made attempts at goal with
both feet and head. Duties included trying to score goals and
pressurising the opposition defence.
Mind numbing, isn't it? Even if you like football!
By the way, sorry ladies for using the football analogy, but it does
work well. Now this is so specific, I am surprised he didn't
mention the make of boots he was wearing. Many CV's fall into this
trap to a greater or lesser extent. Remember the "banking" example
earlier!
It's like putting your job title down as a technical
author, and then the job description as "wrote technical books and
manuals". To put sell into your CV make sure you add
accomplishments. Now try this and see how much better it
reads.
Professional Footballer
- Played
Centre Forward for Watford (oh all right - Manchester United), being
first choice for six seasons. Established a Premier League record
scoring 37 goals in 2006 / 7 season. Played four consecutive
seasons scoring over thirty goals per season, as well as leading the
team with assists. Was also selected for England, scoring seven
goals in twelve international appearances.
A touch more interesting, isn't it? So, the major
point is, to make sure you put accomplishments (achievements) in
your CV. It is this aspect that will put the sell in your CV, and
get you noticed over the competition. I know I keep repeating
this, but you have to give the prospective employer as many
reasons as possible to call YOU for interview, rather than the
competition. I will cover where and how the accomplishments fit
in a little later, but bear this vitally important point in mind
throughout.
Next Page -
Getting
Accomplishments Into Your CV
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