How to write an effective Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Employing professionals is no more an easy job, neither for the recruiter nor for the applicant, with hundreds of students graduating every year from one single college. The applicant to job ratio has shown a tremendous growth over the passing years. The employer has to make his choice with their limited vacancies from the many applicants as per their need for the post. So, what makes them stand out in the crowd? Is it their qualifications, job experience, exceptional talent or rather how they project it? Well, it is needless to say that a good packaging always attracts attention.
Why, do you think a recruiter will pick up your curriculum vitae amongst so many on his table? The answer is he finds it attractive. Yes, the key to your next step to the job position is getting that attention. So get set to get some CV advice to build a profressional yet attractive CV.

The first CV advice is that you should always keep in mind that the CV you are about to write is for the recruiter and not yourself. Therefore you will have to know about the company, position and the product you wish to work for. Get into the recruiter’s shoes and then design your curriculum vitae.

A vitae, CV or curriculum vitae is described as a written description of your past work experience, educational qualifications, related skills and personal details so the recruiter can find out about you well in advance and decide whether or not you should be interviewed. The word “curriculum vitae” is Latin in origin which literally means “course of life”. It is a “living document” that reveals the progress in one’s professional career and therefore needs to be reorganized regularly.

An important piece of CV advice that most professional writers give, is that it is not necessary to include everything in the CV. For the CV to be precise, effective and interesting one needs to include only those experiences, projects and qualifications that relate the most to the job opening. Try and show how you contributed to the growth of the previous organisation by quantifying your achievements. Unless you are a fresh graduate, mention your work experience before your educational qualifications, beginning from the most recent one along with the time duration and designation you worked in.

Try and keep your resume short as a lengthy CV could be time consuming and boring. Keep the length of your CV one or two pages long depending on an individual’s related work experience and other details. Use readable font size and make the points bold that you want the recruiter to pay extra attention to and bullet point each detail for quick viewing.

It is completely an individual’s judgement on how he wants their CV to look, but seeking advice from a professional CV writer is always an added advantage.

Article written by Mike Kelley (CV Writer). You can see more about writing CVs and download some professional CV templates at http://www.cv-service.org/

Write a good job application - tips and tricks

Tips on writing an Application Letter - Writing a Job Application!

Your application is the first contact you will have with an employer. The employer will use it to help decide if you are suitable for the job and if they would like to give you an interview.

It is most important to take time and care with your application. Make it look good and make sure all the information is clear and easy to read. Make sure you use paper that is size A4.

The Application Letter

There are many ways you can write a letter for a job. One way is, your address, phone number and the date must be on the letter. Always address the letter to the person named in the add. If there is no name mentioned write Sir/Madam or phone the company and get the correct name. When you write the letter put in the following information.

• Contents Refer to the job and where and when you saw it advertised.
• Put in any information about work you have done before.
• Give your telephone number in the letter.
• Close your letter by saying how suitable you are for the job.

If your letter starts with Sir/Madam, always end with Yours faithfully. If you start with a person's name end Yours sincerely. Sign your name and have your name printed underneath.

An example of a letter is

72 Smith Street
Homeville 1234
3 March 2012

The Manager
Presentations Are Us
PO Box 782
Showtown4321

Dear Sir/Madam

Please accept my application for the position of Sales Representative as advertised in the Showtown News on 14 February 2012.

I am currently working as a Sales Representative for Homeway Productions and am keen to obtain a full time position. I hold a certificate in Sales and am prepared to undergo further training if necessary. Please find enclosed my résumé in support of my application.

I am confident my skills and previous work experience will enable me to perform the duties of the position well. I am available for an interview at a time convenient to you and can be contacted by telephone on (05) 7286 3159.

Yours faithfully
Caroline Nielsen

Things To Remember Before writing an application,

• Find out as much as you can about the job.
• Make a draft plan first with what you want to put in your application.
• Write it as many times as you want until you get it right.
• Always check spelling and watch your grammar. Get someone to proof read it for mistakes before you send it.
• Write neatly, but get it typed if you can.
• Make sure you use clean A4 size paper.
• Always send copies of everything, except the application letter.
• Tell the people who wrote you a reference you are being interviewed before you go.
• Keep a copy of your application.
• Make a number of copies of your résumé and send one off each time you apply for a job.
• Keep your résumé up to date.