Do you need help writing a curriculum vitae? Before you start, review these tips so you can include the appropriate information in your curriculum vitae (CV) and format your curriculum vitae correctly. Remember, the first impression is the one that matters, so, your CV needs to be perfect!
The first step you must take is to study the advertisement for the position you wish to apply for. Many people just take a quick glance at these advertisements and then write what they feel is best to reach the stage of an interview. Read the advertisement carefully as many employers ask you to address a selection criteria. Your resume will be knocked back if you do not address these criteria’s, as it is a vital way for employers to short-list their applicants. A selection criteria is a list of requirements needed for the vacant position. An example of one might be, “Must have experience using Excel and Word”. To address the selection criteria use the criteria as a heading, then write a short paragraph explaining why you are competent in this field. There are usually between 5 to 10 criteria’s for the position listed in order of importance. If you don’t meet the criteria for the first few listed then there is a good chance you aren’t suited for the position.
There are many positions advertised which do not use a selection criteria but ask you to write a brief summary to describe your qualifications and experience. When writing this cover sheet, I highly recommend you do not use the word ‘but’. Only mention details about yourself that you excel in. You have to sell yourself so your cover sheet must sound positive and full of confidence. An example is the requirement for having a degree in science. Mention only those subjects you excelled in and enjoyed, do not mention subjects that you failed in and had to repeat to obtain your degree. Remember you are applying for a position you know you can meet the standards of. If you aren’t confident in chemistry or physics you won’t be applying for a position that requires you to use these subjects. Your cover sheet must reflect a positive and confident attitude. When writing a cv, include your personal details, qualifications, experience, and a list of referees. Take time to design your cv respectfully. Your first page should include your personal particulars, such as name, address, contact details, whether you have a driver’s license and your citizenship. You can add details such as personal hobbies and interests if they are relevant to the position. You only need to mention your date of birth if the position you are applying for is restricted by age. If you are asked to send in a photo of yourself it is a good idea to have one taken at a professional studio. Photographers can help cover up those bags under your eyes and assist you with make-up and hair styling.
Your second page should list your qualifications. List these qualifications in date order with the most recent one placed at the top of the page. You do not have to go into great detail. If you have a degree in Science, mention where the degree was achieved, what year it was completed, and a list of units completed which are relevant to the position you are applying for. There is no need to mention units you did not pass. The next section will be a listing of your work experience. As with your qualifications, list these in date order starting with the most recent. Again you do not have to go into great detail about your previous positions. You can describe them in greater detail when you are interviewed. Mention the name of the company you worked for, the date you worked there, the position you held and an inclusion of duties you carried out. You do not need to mention your reasons for leaving a position.
The last section of your cv should be a list of selected referees. Write the name of the company, the name of the referee, the position they held and a contact phone number. Do not include a referee who you had past disagreements with.
As an optional page for your cv, write a short summary about your work experience. This suits people who have extensive word processing experience as you can list items such as the software packages you have used, your typing and shorthand skills and the use of other office equipment such as a dictaphone and a switchboard.
Your resume and cover sheet must reflect a confident and positive attitude. You have to tell your potential employers that you are the best person suited for the position.
Double-check your curriculum vitae for typos and grammatical errors. Then ask someone else to review it for you - it's often hard to catch our own mistakes. Look at the format of your curriculum vitae, and again, ask someone else to take a look. Is there plenty of white space? Is it cluttered?
If possible, try to keep your CV short and concise. Use formal (no slang or abbreviations) and well-written language, written simply and clearly.
Tell the Truth
It can be tempting to over-polish a CV and make our educational qualifications or work history sound a little better than they really are. If you're tempted to stretch the truth about your work history - don't. It will come back to haunt you. Most employers conduct reference and background checks and if your curriculum vitae doesn't match your actual work history or education, you will most likely get caught at some point and you will either not get the job or will get fired if you have already been hired.
Definition: A letter of application, also known as a cover letter, is a document sent with your cv to provide additional information on your skills and experience.
You can have the best cv in the world and be highly the person indicated for the job, but if your cover letter is poorly written, generic, or misguided, you can pretty much throw your chances out the window. The cover letter is your first, and sometimes your only chance to obtain an employer's attention and let them know why your cv is worth looking into.
You should remember that the cover letter is the single most important document of your job search. It's the document that will get you an interview and an audience for your writing sample. A letter written precipitately is unlikely to get attention, and since it's time-consuming to apply for jobs, don't bother unless you're prepared to spend some time on your cover letter. Start to work on this letter before you begin your job search. It can easily take various weeks to write, and you will need to pass it along to people many times before it's complete.
It should be laid out in a businesslike format as follows:
You should remember that the cover letter is the single most important document of your job search. It's the document that will get you an interview and an audience for your writing sample. A letter written precipitately is unlikely to get attention, and since it's time-consuming to apply for jobs, don't bother unless you're prepared to spend some time on your cover letter. Start to work on this letter before you begin your job search. It can easily take various weeks to write, and you will need to pass it along to people many times before it's complete.
It should be laid out in a businesslike format as follows:
First Paragraph: “Introduction".
Comment the job you're applying for and where you found it advertised. Since your curriculum vitae will offer information about your degree (where and when), then u don’t need to mention them again. Doing so takes up valuable space in the letter and, more importantly, marks you as a graduate student. Try to sound like a professional, someone who has already put graduate school behind you. The selection committee will look at your vitae and see all these details in a more readable format. The same goes for areas of specialization.
Middle Paragraph: What you have to offer the employer - mention why your skills and experience are a good fit for the job.
Last Paragraph: Tell what you have enclosed, Say thank you to the hiring manager for considering you and note how you will follow up.
Don’t spend too much time thanking them.
Important Steps to follow
Before Writing the Letter
- Renew your curriculum vitae. If you don't already possess a cv, then write one. Ideally, the experiences and skills you list on your cv should be tailored to the particular position you're applying for, reflecting strengths that'll be desirable to your potential employer.
- Examine the target organization or business so you can incorporate information or facts relating to your desired job or industry. This will not only help you in writing a relevant cover letter but it will also be useful if you get an interview.
key items you should become familiar with:
- What is the employer's mission? What do they promote as setting themselves apart from competitors?
- What kind of customer base does the employer cater to? What kinds of people are in their target market?
- What are the company or organization's values? Innovation? Service? Diversity? Sustainability?
- What is the history of the employer? Who was the founder? How has the the business or organization evolved?
C. Study the job. You should read the job description meticulously. Check for the noted and assumed needs and determine the most essential skills, qualifications and experience the employer is looking for. Write them down, and put a check mark next to the ones you have.
Obtain the name of the manager in charge of the department you wish to work in. Use your network. Do you know someone who is in the company or industry? Can they help you?
Some Rules:
- Use the correct sign off – linked to how you addressed the letter:
a. Dear Mr(s) Carlos = Yours sincerely
b. Dear Sirs = Yours faithfully
NOTE: There is NO capital letter for sincerely or faithfully – this is a common mistake to watch out for. - DON'T indent the first line of paragraphs on a professional typed document.
- DON'T use flowery language – be concise and your application will have more substance.
- Make the letter RELEVANT to the job your applying especially where your CV is of a more general nature – highlight your relevant skills.
- DO proof read your application – careless mistakes can cost you the job.
- Be POLITE!
Skills:
Here are some of the more common skills employers will want to see from you and the types of examples you may highlight in your letter:
- TEAMWORKING – 2nd year project, part-time work, sports, Young Enterprise project.
- COMMUNICATION – written work, interpersonal built up through examples used in teams, course rep dealing with people of all levels, peer coaching, nightline rep -= listening.
- PROBLEM SOLVING – networking your house, building PCs, academic projects, designing website.
- TECHNICAL SKILLS – work you have done academically, at home or in employment that links to the job you are applying for.
- NEGOTIATING SKILLS – any customer facing roles or teamwork experiences.
- KNOWLEDGE – highlights from your education that are relevant for the company.
- ORGANISATIONAL – planning society events, coordinating projects – demonstrating good time management.
- BUSINESS AWARENESS – knowledge of Industry the Company operates in.
- SELF DEVELOPMENT – extra-curricular activities to enhance all skills.
RESIGNATION LETTER
When writing a resignation letter, it's important to keep your resignation letter as simple, brief, and focused as possible. It should also be positive.Once you have made the decision to move on, there's no point in criticizing your employer or your job. Your letter of resignation should include information on when you are leaving. You can also let the employer know you appreciate your time with the company. When you're not sure what to write, review resignation letter samples
What to Include in Your Resignation Letter
- The fact that you are leaving and date when your resignation is effective.
- Thanks to your employer for the opportunities you have had during your employment.
Regardless of why you are resigning or how you feel about it, if you mention why you are leaving, make sure that you do not include anything negative or disparaging about the company, your supervisor, your co-workers, or your subordinates.
This letter will be included in your employment file and could be shared with potential future employers, therefore, it should be professional and polite.