CV Writing: Bui The Duy & Le Sy Vinh

CV writing
Bui The Duy & Le Sy Vinh

(Based on slides from Dr. Wang, Rui, The Ocean
University of China)
Introduction
Your resume, or curriculum vita (CV), may be the most
important document you will produce in your
professional life. To produce an effective resume, you
need to know about both the functions and language
of resumes.
What a resume is
Format
Language
Brevity
Verb tenses
Quantifying
Myths and realities
What a resume is
a document used to market yourself
specifically to a future employer
a record of your history and achievements
in a concise yet comprehensive form
similar to an advertisement (sufficient
relevant information as brief as possible)
Format
Unfortunately, there are no hard and fast
rules for CV writing
Examples
Clarity and Brevity

Which of these two descriptions of experience is more effective?
I was Secretary of the Computer Society from 2005 to `06. During
this time I realized that the Society's reserve funds needed to be
increased. Many new members were recruited and a number of
successful activities were held. In this way enough money was
raised to cover all our general expenses up to 2007. I also rearranged the committee so that all members knew what their duties
were supposed to be.
Secretary of Computer Society 2005-06: Increased Society's
funds from $20,000 to $150,000. Directed recruitment drive,
increasing membership from 102 to 345 in six months. Streamlined
committee, establishing clear duties for each member.
Brevity
Stick to short phrases. Be brief but informative.
Omit the personal pronoun 'I' in statements of
experience
E.g. Instead of writing:
I organised several successful events which led
me to receive commendations from the
Computer Club.
Write,
Organised 5 successful events. Received
commendations from the Computer Club.
Verb Tenses
Present tense: for description of current
jobs (e.g. manage; supervise)
Past tense: for description of past jobs
(e.g. managed; supervised)
Progressive tense: It is usually better to
talk about experience using - "ing" words,
this gives a sense of immediacy rather
than something distant and past
Verb Tenses
Compare
In my last job, I was a Marketing Director. I managed the
department, liaised with the production staff and
developed company strategy.
With
Marketing Director: Managing the department, liaising
with production staff, developing company strategy.
On the following slide is a list of positive "ings"; using these
words gives the prospective employer the feeling that
you are a "doer".
Quantifying
Whenever possible, provide figures,
statistical information (e.g. dollars;
percentages etc.)
E.g. Instead of writing:
'Raised money for university union funds.
Write,
'Raised 7000RMB for university union
funds.'
Myths and Realities

The only use of a resume is to get a job.
The statement is false. It is important to understand that the
main use of a resume is to apply for a job, but it could also be
used in other situations to introduce yourself, your background
and your achievements in a professional context.
You should write a different resume for every different situation.
Correct. You may have to adapt the form and content of your resume
to take account of different situations and the needs of different
employers.
Myths and Realities

A resume is a description of yourself that shows you have as many
different talents as possible.
The statement is false. First and foremost the CV is a sales
document. Everything included should be geared to getting you an
interview. This means only including relevant information. Though it
also means that you must be able to "blow your own trumpet", a
resume should be an honest description of yourself that
nevertheless presents your best aspects in relation to a particular
job. Don't claim talents that you do not possess but do make the
most of talents which are relevant. Try to provide evidence.
It's a good idea to include an objective at the start of the resume.
True. An objective gives your resume coherence. It helps to relate
past experience and education to the future direction you wish to
take. It shows you are a purposeful individual.
Myths and Realities

When looking for a job, it's best to send your resume to hundreds of
employers rather than to just a few.
It depends, probably the statement is false. However, there are two
approaches.
Shotgun: A general CV is written and sent to as many employers as

you can think of. This crude "shotgun" approach can give results
and by the law of averages you should get some interviews.
Sniper: carefully choose a handful of employers you would most

like to work for and then set about getting your foot through the door.
Here a CV tailored to each employer is essential, targeting at the
needs as specified in the job advertisement. This sniper" method
requires much more work but can ultimately be more rewarding.
Myths and Realities

Employers like detailed, lengthy resumes because it gives them
complete information for screening candidates.
The statement is in most case false. More than 2 pages will lose the
employers interest. Also if you crowd too much on one page your
resume (and you) will look disorganized and uninviting. Proper use
of fonts and good presentation help to reduce no. of pages.
An effective resume does not summarize everything you have done
in your life. Details of your education and qualifications are
essential, but other information should be carefully selected. Provide
information about past activities that demonstrate your suitability for
activities in the future.
Myths and Realities

You should not include your hobbies or recreational pursuits in your
resume e.g. reading, cycling.
The statement is probably true, as they do not add much to the profile
of yourself. However you should include hobbies that can
strengthen your objective in relation to the employer's needs by
providing evidence of a particular skill that will help convince the
employer of your competence and professional suitability, e.g. for an
aspiring travel agent, organising cycling tours, reading travel guides.
It's essential to put salary expectations on your resume.
The statement is not true unless the recruitment ad specifically asks
for the information. The main purpose is to introduce your self in
order to get an interview. You can deal with these issues then.
Myths and Realities

You should list all your courses and grades.
This is not true except in cases when you have taken courses
that are relevant to employers needs and your objective, or on
which you obtained excellent results.
You must include details of your age, sex, marital status, ethnic origin
etc as well as a photo of yourself in your resume.
This is generally not true (but often is in China). This is a rather
sensitive area. Different cultures and countries may have
different laws and expectations on these issues.
Myths and Realities

Potential employers are more interested in your holiday jobs and extracurricular activities than in your academic record.
Your academic qualifications are very valuable. Remember to
mention any relevant academic specialization. Fresh graduates are
not expected to have substantial job experience, however, where a
number of applicants have similar qualifications, their job experience
and relevant extra-curricular activities may make the difference.
The resume is less important than other activities, e.g. interviews, in
getting a job.
The interview is the key to getting a job but you can't get an interview
unless an employer likes what he reads on your resume. Your
resume must be an attractive, error-free document that represents
your best self - it's the key to getting an interview so it is important.

CV Writing: Bui The Duy & Le Sy Vinh

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

CV Writing: Bui The Duy & Le Sy Vinh

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

CV Writing: Bui The Duy & Le Sy Vinh

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

CV writing

Bui The Duy & Le Sy Vinh

Clarity and Brevity

Myths and Realities

Myths and Realities

Myths and Realities

Shotgun: A general CV is written and sent to as many employers as

Sniper: carefully choose a handful of employers you would most

Myths and Realities

Myths and Realities

Myths and Realities

Myths and Realities

You might also like