How to write a CV - Resume
How to write a CV - Resume
How to write a CV - Resume
(Source Aventus job coaching guide with some processing from the CV-web)
There is no standard on how you should write your CV – resume, it can vary in length, content and structure. You must write your resume based on your own experiences and in a way that suits the employer. To do that, you must know what is in demand. Use the knowledge you have about the profession and/or carefully read the ad at issue in order to get the right information in your CV - resume.
A CV / application consists of two parts.
When you write your CV - resume, you should consider what information the employer wants about you. You then present who you are and what you can with the help of:
- A Cover letter.
- A chronological and functional resume of your experience and training (the CV).
The purpose of your CV - resume is to get at an interview where you can tell the employer more about yourself. Remember that competition for each job-opportunity is tough. You have to dare to talk about why you are the right person for the company and what you can do for them.
Cover letter
The cover letter in your CV - resume should create an interest in the employer in who you are and what you can do. It is also important that your interest in both the actual job-opportunity and in the company really shows. So adjust the content of your cover letter for each service you are looking for. It is in the personal letter that you must sell yourself and your skills.
Why have you applied for the post?
Think about what it is that makes you interested in the service. There are many good arguments for why you would be the right person for the company. It can be things like your experience, educational background, high interest or personal characteristics.
Brief history
Do not list all your experiences and educations, only add the ones relevant to the job-opportunity you are applying for. Those who are not as relevant for this particular work you can add in the second part of your CV - resume.
Characteristics and skills
What are you good at and what are your strengths. What you're looking for? It is important that you always give arguments that are relevant to the job-opportunity you are applying for and that you can verify everything that you mention. You can do this by inserting your skills in different contexts or describe your skills using experience from previous work situations. The result is a better description than if you only list your various experiences and skills after each other.
Family - Recreation – Future
You can also describe yourself in a way that makes the employer able to picture you in the own organization. Many employers are looking for employees who not only has the right formal qualifications but who also will work in the existing team with its unwritten laws. Therefore you can if you wish, briefly describe your family situation, hobbies and future plans at the end of the personal letter. If you believe that there is not to your advantage to do so, you do not bring it up.
It is important that the content is consistent with company needs. Try also to customize your cover letter to the culture of the company.
A brief summary of your cover letter.
The cover letter should contain information relevant to the position you are applying. It will explain why you're the right person, providing information that proves this and encourage the recipient to action. The aim is to get a job interview.
If there is an ad, base your Personal letter on it. Recite what it asks for, but remember to use your own words. Make it brief, not exceeding one A4 page and ensure that the content is readable and correctly spelled.
Always go through your cover letter and make necessary adjustments before pursuing a new service.
The following should be included in your cover letter:
- How the company can reach you.
- A clear title that shows what the letter is about.
- Any reference or professional designation for the job-opportunity.
- If you have had contact with anyone at the company and if so, whom.
- Why you are interested in the job-opportunity and the company and what you can bring to the employer.
- A brief description of your background and how it makes you eligible for the particular service.
- Qualities that you have that matches what the company is looking for.
- Your signature on the application, not sent via e-mail or is online.
The following should not be included in your cover letter:
- Medical History.
- Wage Claim (if not asked).
- Pregnancy, or that you plan to have children soon.
- What you not can do. Focus on what you can!
Chronological CV
Curriculum Vitae (CV) is Latin for biography. It can be compared with a resume and can look different depending on what you have done earlier in life. You can choose to use a chronological or functional resume. Which is right for you depends on where you have been and what you have done. The chronological CV is preferable if you intend to stay in your chosen field or have an uninterrupted work history.
You should consider the following when you write your chronological CV
It should always be complete. You do not skip over your past experiences. The aim is to provide a simple and transparent way to present your background. In order to make it easy to grasp your credentials by using headlines such as:
- Work experience.
- Education.
- Courses.
- Languages
- Skills
- Other.
Also indicate the intervals in the same way right through the CVs for example “from 2003 to 2005”. What works well for both long and short periods. Starting with the most recent experience first, the last few years are those that are of greatest interest to the employer.
You should avoid the following in your chronological CV
- Why you left your previous employment.
- Salary requirement.
- Citizenship.
- Religious or political sympathies.
You may also avoid to talk about your health, age or family situation. It is important that you only bring up the things that make you attractive to the service. Both you and the employer can then get the chance to know each other more closely at the job interview.
Certificates and Diplomas
You should always be able to confirm the employment or training that you mentioned in your CV using the certificate or diploma. Unless the employer asks for them along with your application, it is enough that you bring them to the interview. If you do not attach them in the CV, mention that the certificates and diplomas can be provided on request.
Always leave a copy of your documents to the employer (or upload them digitally on the web). Also, try to get them certified. This means that two people certifies that this is true copies of the originals.
References
When you are applying for a job, it is common that the employer asks for one or two references. With the aid of references, they want to form a picture of how you work in different situations and who you are as a person.
A reference need not be a person from employment but may as well be a teacher, classmate, or someone else that can give information about you. Do not forget to contact the persons in question and ask if they accept to act as your referenceperson.
You do not name your references in the application but may instead choose to do so in connection with the job interview. Mention in the application that references can be provided on request.
If you name your references on your application, enter title, address and telephone number, preferably to both work and home. You can also add what kind of relationship you have to the person, such as "my previous managing director" or "classmate".
Checklist for your application before you send it:
Before sending your application, make sure not to forget any important information. Use the following checklist to see if the application is written correctly. You can also ask someone else to read it and give you comments. Often he or she discovers things that you did not see.
Once you have completed your application, you can put it aside overnight. Go through it one last time in the morning. Mail it if and when you are satisfied with the content.
Appearance
- Is your Personal letter one A4 page long?
- Is printing neat and correct?
- Have you checked the spelling?
- Is your name on every page?
- Is it clear how to contact you, both work and at home?
- Do you have the correct size envelope (if you must send physical mail) so you do not have to fold your documents?
Contents
- Are the qualifications and experience you bring up relevant to the position you are applying?
- Have you included the personal qualities that the job requires?
- Have you managed to not use the word "I" more than a few times?
- Have you avoided negative phrases about yourself and your abilities?
- Is it clear in the letter why you are the right person for the job?
- Does it show how to get in touch with your references?
Other
- Are the attachments relevant to the job-opportunity you are applying for?
- Are your documents printed only on one side of the paper (if paper CV)?
- Is your business address and contact person spelled correctly?
- Have you signed your Personal letter (if paper CV)?
- Have you had anybody else read and comment on your application?
- Have you saved a copy of the documents on your own behalf?
CV-Web works with the company Aventus in regards to the above guide.
Briefly about Aventus
(a partner to CV-Web and creator of above document)
We coach participants regardless of industry. Our concept is developed to suit both shift work on health. Our well-known e-Coaching platform is also used for training people in all professions.
The common denominator is adapting to each person's circumstances, opportunities and objectives. Market demands for skills and social skills also play a central role in the design of our processes.
We want to be one step ahead
Development and innovation are an integral part of Aventus activities. We are constantly developing new concepts and have their own resources for technological development of Internet-based education.
Archer in our logo symbolizes both our clear targeting of individual willpower as a base, but also our ever growing excellence.
Our vision
We want to all change processes, and other assignments, create strength and success of the individual.