MAKING A SUCCESSFUL CV

Getting a strong CV ready is an important part of the job searching process. A good curriculum vitae (CV) is essential when looking for work, especially now, when there are often so many candidates for the same position.

Your objective is to get to an interview, Your CV needs to make you stand out from the crowd and ensure you get to that stage.

Remember that Recruiters have many hundreds of applications for each job, and on their first sort through of CV’s they are looking for a reason to reject applicants, to reduce the” in” stack! So if you can’t be bothered to present a professional CV with no errors, and to demonstrate that you have researched the job and believe you are right for it, your CV will be on the “out” stack!

Your CV and covering letter are your chance to show an employer the best of what you’ve got and who you are. It’s about selling your skills and experience, and showing them you’re the right person for the job. It should make it easy for employers to appraise your key skills and work experience to determine whether you’re appropriate for the role.

How you write your CV and covering letter is up to you, but there are some basic rules to follow if you want to create the best impression. Opinions vary as to the best template or format to use; there is no definitive answer. It will depend on a number of factors including the stage of your career, the type of position you are applying for, and the country in which you are applying to work. Some sectors may require a different emphasis on a particular part of the content, for example if you work in a profession, qualifications will be important. In a technical sector skills may be considered more important than career history.

Don’t assume that one CV will serve for all applications. You should review it and target it for each position you apply for. Many people have several CV’s, if they have worked in several sectors. They may have a general one, and different one designed to appeal to a certain sector, such as sales.

There are some basic rules on how a CV should be written and the information that should be included. We will look at some examples and samples in detail later.

·         A CV should be neat and typed in a business like font. Pay attention to formatting, and check your spelling. Incorrect spelling is a sure route to rejection.

·         The document should be positive, highlighting your career achievements and strengths, and clearly show your fit for the position for which you are applying.

Check a handful of adverts for the type of job you are applying for and then use the common requirements to tailor your CV. The more information you have about the job role, duties and responsibilities, the better you can do this. So if you can get hold of a job description, go through it carefully, and highlight in your CV wherever you can demonstrate that you meet the specification.

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
Confucius

The basic information usually included in a CV would be:

·         Your personal details. Include your name, phone number, email address and professional social media presence if relevant. You do not need to include your address, for security reasons, or your date of birth, because of age discrimination concerns.

·         A personal profile or statement. This should be tailored towards the job you are applying for, and promote yourself and your abilities.

·         Significant achievements, if appropriate. If you have an established career, you should next list any significant achievements that are relevant. This is an opportunity to quantify your achievements. For example –“I Grew sales by 20% per annum”, “I produced above target reduction in overheads”, “I cultivated relationships with existing clients achieving a 30% increase in repeat business”.

·         Career history. It is usual to start with your most recent job first and include relevant dates.
Qualifications and training. Both academic, and from previous jobs, with the most recent first.
Interests, if they are relevant and especially if the skills are relevant for the position.

·         Any additional information. Perhaps you need to explain a career change or gaps in your career history.

·         Two references. Include a recent employer

Before each application review your CV against the job specification and make sure that it highlights that you’re the right match for the job.

 “Adults are always asking little kids what they want to be when they grow up because they’re looking for ideas.”
Paula Poundstone

·         Specific skills you have to offer the employer

·         Experience you have in the specific field

·         Appropriate personal qualities for the role

·         An understanding of the job requirements

GLOBAL TIPS ON CV

In the United States, a curriculum vita is used primarily when applying for academic, education, scientific or research positions.

It is also applicable when applying for fellowships or grants.

When applying for a job in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, or Asia, employers and recruiters expect to receive a CV rather than a resume.

Remember that employers often expect to read personal information on a curriculum vitae that would not be included on an American resume, such as date of birth, nationality and place of birth.

United States law on what information job applicants can be asked to provide does not apply outside the country.

A CV is a longer, more detailed synopsis of your background and skills and includes a summary of your educational and academic backgrounds, teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honours, affiliations etc.

It can be up to two or more pages.

As with a resume, you may need different versions of a CV for different types of positions

Like a resume, curriculum vitae should include your name, contact information, education, skills and experience.

A good attitude and common sense is valuable to employers. They are looking for someone who will help solve the business’ problems and add to its success.

In addition to the basics, a CV includes research and teaching experience, publications, grants and fellowships, professional associations and licenses, awards and other information relevant to the position you are applying for.

Start by making a list of all your background information, and then organize it into categories.
Include dates on all the publications you mention

TOP CV WRITING TIPS

1. Check for typing errors

This is really important. Poor spelling is a reason for most recruiters to reject your application. Make sure you spell check each time you amend the documents, ask a friend to proof read the final version of your CV

2. Read the job description

Before you spend too much time on applying for ‘that dream job with the impressive sounding job title, or exciting salary and benefits package, make sure your have studied the job description and used it to amend your CV and show you’re a good fit for the role.

3. Tailor your CV for the role

Have several versions of your CV available so you can target the role you’re going for. Do some research so you understand what employers are looking for and apply this knowledge to make sure you get to interview.

4. Use specific keywords

As more and more recruiters use job sites to search for candidates based on specific keywords, it’s important to try and include the terms which describe you and relate to the kinds of position you’re looking for in your CV. Get these from the advert and job description if you have one.

5. Use Power words. (See list below)

Power words / verbs are key the success of your CV. You should aim to use some of these words at the beginning of bullet points. For example, many CVs have points such as “I was responsible for increasing turnover through restructuring ranging.” This would sound better with a power word starting the sentence, “Increased turnover through restructured ranging”.

6. Be positive

Describe your attributes and experiences in positive terms. See how some negative statements can be improved.

Negative statements	Expressing things more positively
I feel I am a good communicator. During this experience I had to manage ten people.		I am a good communicator. During this experience I successfully managed ten people.
Even though I failed to achieve my target, I learned a great deal about increasing sales.		Through this experience I learned a great deal about sales management.
Some people have told me that I have good project management skills.		I have excellent project management skills.
I have had a few relevant experiences.		I have substantial relevant experience.
I believe in diversity and equal opportunities.		I am committed to diversity and equal opportunities.

CV POWER WORDS

Power words and verbs are key the success of your CV. You should aim to use some of these words at the beginning of bullet points.

For example, many CVs have points such as “I was responsible for increasing turnover through restructuring ranging.” This would sound better with a power word starting the sentence, “Increased turnover through restructured ranging”.

The following is a list of the power words you should use in your CV.

A Absorbed, Accelerated, Accomplished, Achieved, Acquired, Acted, Adapted, Added, Adjusted, Administered, Advanced, Advertised, Advised, Aided, Allocated, Announced, Amended, Analysed, Anticipated, Appointed, Appraised, Approved, Arranged, Ascertained, Assembled, Assigned, Assessed, Assisted, Attained ,Attracted, Authorised

B Balanced, Bargained, Bolstered, Boosted, Broadened, Budgeted, Built

C Calculated, Capitalised, Captured, Catalogued, Centralised, Chaired, Changed, Closed, Collaborated, Collected, Combined, Commissioned, Communicated, Comply, Compared, Compiled, Completed, Composed, Conceived, Conceptualised, Condensed, Conducted, Consolidated, Constructed, Consulted, Contracted, Contributed, Controlled, Converted, Convinced, Coordinated, Corrected, Created, Cultivated

D Decided, Decreased, Deferred, Defined, Delegated, Delivered, Demonstrated, Designated, Designed, Developed, Devised, Directed, Discovered, Displayed, Distinguished, Distributed, Diversified, Documented, Doubled

E Earned, Edited, Efficient, Eliminated, Enabled, Encouraged, Enforced, Engaged, Enriched, Engineered, Enhanced, Enlarged, Established, Evaluated, Examined, Exceeded, Excelled, Excellent, Executed, Exercised, Expanded, Expertise, Extended, Extracted

F Facilitated, Financed, Focused, Forecasted, Formed, Formulated, Founded, Fulfilled

G Gained, Gathered, Generated, Global, Granted, Guided

H Handled, Headed, Helped, Hosted

I Identified, Illustrated, Implemented, Improved, Improvised, Increased, Influenced, Initiated, Innovated, Inspired, Instigated, Integrated, Interfaced, Introduced, Invented, Invested, Investigated

J Joined, Judged, Justified

L Launched, Lead, Lightened, Listened ,Localised, Located, Logged

M Maintained, Managed, Marketed, Maximised, Measured, Mentored, Merchandised, Merged, Met, Minimised, Modified, Monitored, Motivated, Multiplied

N Named, Negotiated

O Observed, Obtained, Offered, Opened, Operated, Ordered, Organised, Overhauled, Oversaw

P Participated, Performed, Persuaded, Pinpointed, Pioneered, Placed, Planned, Prepared, Presented, Prevented, Prioritised, Processed, Produced, Programmed, Projected, Promoted, Proposed, Proven, Provided, Published, Pursued

Q Quantified, Quoted

R Raised, Reacted, Received, Recommended, Reconciled, Recorded, Recovered, Recruited, Rectified, Redesigned, Reduced, Refined, Reinstated, Rejected, Renegotiated, Reorganised, Replaced, Repaired, Reported, Resolved, Responded, Restored, Restructured, Resulted, Retained, Revamp, Revealed, Reversed, Reviewed, Revised

S Saved, Scheduled, Screened, Secured, Segmented, Selected, Separated, Shaped, Shortened, Simplified, Skilled, Sold, Solved, Spearheaded, Specified, Speculated, Stabilised, Staffed, Standardised, Stimulated, Streamlined, Strengthened, Strong, Structured, Successfully, Suggested, Supervised, Supported, Sustained

T Tailored, Targeted, Taught, Tested, Trained, Transformed, Translated, Tripled, Triumphed, Troubleshoot, Tutored

U Uncovered, Undertook, Unified, United, Updated, Upgraded, Used, Utilised

V Validated, Valued, Verified, Viewed, Visited

W Widened, Witnessed, Won, Worked, Worldwide, Wrote

 

SAMPLE CV

Remember your CV must be well presented; it must be Neat and Concise. Pay attention to Font, Formatting and Spelling. Alicia Smith works as PA to the director at a small company, and is looking for a new position. Her CV concentrates largely on key skills such as organisation and proficiency with Microsoft Office

She has also highlighted specific skills which make her stand out from the crowd: for example, taking responsibility for Health and Safety in the office.

Begin with personal and contact details including name, phone number, email address and possibly any professional social media presence. You no longer need to include your date of birth, owing to age discrimination rules.

Personal Statement.

Your personal profile should sell yourself and your qualities, and must be tailored towards the job you are applying for. It should be written in the third person, using power words, and in a concise style.

It should echo the requirements in the job advertisement and description.

And it should be positive, stressing achievements and strengths, and make a good impression in a clear and upbeat way. Highlight the specific skills you have to offer the employer which match their requirements.

Make sure you review your CV against the job specification and that it highlights that you’re the right match for the job.

Your objective is to get to an interview. Your CV needs to make you stand out from the crowd and ensure you get to that stage.

Significant achievements

If you have an established career, you can list your relevant achievements.

This is an opportunity to quantify your achievements;

·         “I Grew sales by 20% per annum”,

·         “I produced above target reduction in overheads”,

·         “I cultivated relationships with existing clients achieving a 30% increase in repeat business”

Positions Held

This is your chance to show an employer the best of what you’ve got and who you are.

Demonstrate an understanding of the job requirements and the experience you have in the specific field. It’s about selling your skills and experience, and showing them you’re the right person for the job.

It should make it easy for employers to appraise your key skills and work experience to determine whether you’re appropriate for the role.

Flag up the Specific skills gained in each role, that you have to offer the employer.  Keep in mind that this document needs to be targeted for the role you are going for.

Highlight appropriate personal qualities for the role.

Show how you have grown in stature and developed your career across each role.

Include dates and temporary or voluntary jobs if appropriate.

Include extra information, such as reasons for a career change or reasons for gaps in career history, such as caring duties.

Qualifications and Training

Mention interests, especially if the skills are transferable and relevant for the job.

References

Ideally two or more and including a recent employer, or else state that they are available on request.

STAGE FRIGHT (Performance Anxiety)

If you dread the thought of getting up in front of a group of people and performing, you are not alone. Millions of people suffer from performance anxiety, commonly called "stage fright." In fact, most people would rather get the flu than perform. Athletes, musicians, actors, and public speakers often get performance anxiety.

Performance anxiety can prevent you from doing what you enjoy and can affect your career. Worst of all, performance anxiety can negatively affect your self-esteem and self-confidence. Although it may be impossible to totally overcome performance anxiety, there are many things you can do to control your emotions and reduce anxiety.

SYMPTOMS OF PERFORMANCE ANXIETY

Being the center of attention and having all eyes on you can be stressful. Your body reacts to this situation in much the same way as it would if you were being attacked. Your body's "fight-or-flight" mechanism kicks in, which is why symptoms of stage fright are similar to symptoms that occur when you are in real danger.

Performance anxiety symptoms may include:

Ø  Racing pulse and rapid breathing 

ü  Dry mouth and tight throat

ü  Trembling hands, knees, lips, and voice

Ø  Sweaty and cold hands

Ø  Nausea and an uneasy feeling in your stomach

Ø  Vision changes

CAUSES OF PERFORMANCE ANXIETY

Simply put, stress and anxiety about performing in front of people cause performance anxiety. Confronting your fears and vulnerabilities, accepting yourself for who you are, and not feeling like you have to prove yourself to others, is the first step toward overcoming performance anxiety. Keep in mind that nobody is perfect, nobody expects you to be perfect, and it is OK to make mistakes.

The second step is learning how to redirect your negative thoughts, beliefs, images, and predictions about performing in public. Doing this is not as hard as you might think.

PERFORMANCE ANXIETY TREATMENTS

Here are 10 tips to help you overcome your fears and shine on stage, on the field, or at the podium:

Ø  Be prepared: practice, practice, and practice.

Ø  Limit caffeine and sugar intake the day of the performance. Eat a sensible meal a few hours before you are to perform so that you have energy and don't get hungry. A low-fat meal including complex carbohydrates -- whole-grain pasta, pizza, or a bean and rice burrito -- is a good choice.

Ø  Shift the focus off of yourself and your fear to the enjoyment you are providing to the spectators. Close your eyes and imagine the audience laughing and cheering, and you feeling good.

Ø  Don't focus on what could go wrong. Instead focus on the positive. Visualize your success.

Ø  Avoid thoughts that produce self-doubt.

Ø  Practice controlled breathing, meditation, biofeedback, and other strategies to help you relax and redirect your thoughts when they turn negative. It is best to practice some type of relaxation technique every day, regardless of whether you have a performance, so that the skill is there for you when you need it.

Ø  Take a walk, jump up and down, shake out your muscles, or do whatever feels right to ease your anxious feelings before the performance.

Ø  Connect with your audience -- smile, make eye contact, and think of them as friends.

Ø  Act natural and be yourself.

Ø  Exercise, eat a healthy diet, get adequate sleep, and live a healthy lifestyle.

Keep in mind that stage fright is usually worse before the performance and often goes away once you get started

(Culled from Webmd.com)