If your current CV or resume is not generating the interview offers you want, it is time to start assessing it. Check to see that the following descriptors apply: *Begins with a succinct, clearly stated career objective tailored to the particular job for which you are applying. *Highlights how your skills and qualifications match the company's specific needs. *Employs appropriate titles for previous jobs to demonstrate clearly that you are suitably qualified for the advertised position. *Gives a concise description of your previous employers - their products, services, industry, etc. - and your role in the company. *Uses PAR statements to describe your accomplishments. P identifies the 'problem' you faced; A describes the 'action' you took to solve the problem; R describes the 'result' of the action you took. *Quantifies your accomplishments using numbers, percentages, etc. *Makes effective use of the key words and phrases contained in the job advertisement to describe your skills and areas of expertise. *Every sentence starts with an action word, for example: "increased production by 20% while saving 200,000 in operating costs" Examples of effective action words are: compiled, conducted, created, designed, developed, established, implemented, introduced, invented, maintained, negotiated, operated, organized, produced, and published. *Explains how, in your previous jobs, you increased sales and profits, improved productivity, saved time and costs, and established good customer relationships. *Provides evidence of the competencies most valued by employers, for example: your communication and interpersonal skills, flexibility, initiative, organisational ability, and teamwork. *Includes any pertinent awards or honours you may have received. *Provides your educational history and details of training related to the position you are seeking. *Employment history is logical and consistent; and gaps of more than one year between your jobs are clearly explained. *The layout is neat and uncluttered, with an easy-to-read sequence of sections and no large blocks of text. *Contains no errors in spelling or grammar; and all unnecessary words have been eliminated. *Hobbies and interests have been included only if they serve to reveal characteristics, skills or accomplishments that support your career objective. |
