The document discusses effective resume writing for job searches. It provides tips on determining when to use a CV or resume, understanding what recruiters look for, and choosing an appropriate resume format. The key points are: - A resume or CV should be tailored to the specific job and company to highlight how one's qualifications meet their needs. - Recruiters primarily use resumes as screening tools to evaluate qualifications and filter candidates quickly. Visual design, concise writing, and relevance to the role are important. - Common resume formats include chronological, functional, and combination styles. The best format depends on one's career path and goals.

1. Effective CV / Résumé Writing for Job Search Presented by The CV Workshop www.thecvworkshop.com

2. Writing CV / Résumé A chance to write for your future Be grateful for it Employment is nature's physician Essential to human happiness Everyone, a success story For for his "boss-to-be" So let's master the art of Résumé Writing The art of Branding and Persuasion

3. Learner's Outcome Upon completion of the presentation you should be able to: Understand what a CV or Résumé is for from a recruiter's and a job-seeker's perspective Determine when you will need to use a CV or a Résumé and know the differences between them Improve the odds of CV or Résumé success through presenting the document in a manner that will more likely to get the recruiter's attention and consideration Know more about the strengths and weaknesses of different Résumé formats Select an appropriate Résumé format for your unique employment situation Be familiar with the sections that constitute an effective CV or Résumé Construct or improve on your own CV or Résumé based on the information and guidelines learned Understand current trends in CV / Résumé presentation

4. Definition of Curriculum Vitae (CV) & Résumé Curriculum Vitae or CV British definition - a document giving details of the qualifications and the jobs you have had in the past that you send to someone when you are applying for a job Résumé British definition - a summary of something (from MacMillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners) A CV or Résumé is your essential marketing material. It tells prospective employers why you are a good fit for the job and the organization

5. Unemployment Data USA unemployment rate as of December 2008 was 7.2% or 11.1 million people and July 2010, 9.5% (source: Bureau of Labour Statistics - www.bls.gov) Hong Kong unemployment rate was about 4-5% in 2009, November 2008: 3.8% or 136,400 people, and Apr - July 2010 was 4.6% (source: Census and Statistics Department - Key Economic and Social Indicators) * Be attentive to trends and changes affecting your profession *

6. What is a CV or Résumé For? Employers and candidates view CV's and Resumes as having different purposes Recruiter's / Employer's Perspective * Screening Device* It provides -- employment / educational history of applicant track record of job performance a summary of work experience information to screen out unqualified applicants tool for interviewing if candidate is shortlisted document for personnel records if the candidate is offered a job a promise of professionalism Job applicant's Perspective * Getting An Interview* to introduce oneself to prospective employer with the hope of getting an interview to get you considered for a job

7. Curriculum Vitae - CV vs. Résumé Similarities : Both are protocols for job search & serve the same purpose are standard formats for job applications give a summary of your credentials & suitability for the post help in positioning are organized in distinct sections Differences : Résumé format for America & CV format for the rest of the world CV format is used in applications in the academia CV is detailed, complete & in reverse chronological order record of your professional history, Résumé is shorter, more focused and targeted list of relevant transferable skills & accomplishments CV ( 2-3 pages long), Résumé (1-2 pages long) CV (more formal), Résumé may contain promotional language

8. When to use CV or Résumé? Use a CV when : - a CV is asked for in the job advertisement - the company is NOT an American company - applying for a job NOT in America - applying for jobs in the academia (e.g. research, education, scientific fields) - applying for educational scholarships, grants & fundings, fellowship, further education, academic training in institutes of higher learning - securing a tenure or promotion within the same organization - applying for membership with a professional association Use a Résumé when : - a Résumé is asked for in the job advertisement - the company is an American company - applying for a job in America in the commercial sector

9. Your Goal is to Produce a Winning Résumé , one that catches the attention of the reader and goes in the pile "to be considered" and stays on top of it. To do that, follow a logical sequence of right moves to get you there. Explore the details of your own education / work life for names, dates, places, skills and accomplishments. Translate your skills and accomplishments into the language of the job you are seeking or the industry that interests you. Present the material in a way that holds the attention of the reader and reveals the very best about you. * Focused + Powerful + Concise *

10. Focusing Carefully on Items Within Your Control Creating an error-free, clear, focused, targeted resume and cover letter is something you can control, so do the following well: organize data and thoughts in most effective manner present complex information concisely pay attention to detail communicate in a clear and focused way show enthusiasm in your writing show you have useful skills and can add value to the organization Paper, Ink, Margins, Spacing

11. Understanding the Recruiter Increase your chances of success - Reality (recruiter gets many applications) - your Résumé must stand out to be selected - Time factor (screening exercise) - your Résumé must sell you as the strongest candidate in the shortest time - Visual input (usually employed in screening) - first impression counts, if Résumé looks attractive, it's more likely to get a second chance when details are scrutinized - Relevance (this makes or breaks your chance) - important to tailor your CV / Résumé to job requirements - What / Who screens your CV or Résumé? (support person / computer programme) - terminology, format and presentation matters

12. What makes a CV or Résumé Outstanding ? How your Résumé looks matters! First point of contact with prospective employers Impress them with your Professionalism Employer has a need How do you fit in? Firstly, answer these questions: Why should we hire you? What can you value-add to our organization? How can you best contribute to our company? Focused : focus on competencies desired by employers Powerful : using effective action words Concise : making a point clear through precision wording

13. How to Improve CV or Résumé Success Rate? 1. Think: Job Application as Sales Process Needs Identification Find out what employers need & study job requirements carefully Research the company Prepare Sales Proposal - Outline Features & Benefits Features: Describe your qualification / skills / experience / training Benefits : Convince employers how those expertise you possess will help the organization fulfill its objectives

14. How to Improve CV or Résumé Success Rate? 2. Grab and maintain interest of recruiters attractive unique / layout effective organization of information good writing skills free from spelling mistakes start with most recent position on page one words backed up by examples 3. Guide recruiters to see what they need put relevant data at the top use persuasive language understand an employer's view point 4. Match your CV / Résumé content to the job specification use keywords specified in job specification identify & address employer's needs & concerns based on your potential value

15. Résumé Formats Chronological CV / Résumé Traditional: listing previous employers & jobs roles in detail - suitable for professionals with a formal history of experience - effective with traditional companies Functional / Skills or Competency-based CV / Résumé Descriptive and focus more on skills and direct experience - suitable for graduates, contractors, complete career changers, people who moved around different jobs often, returning to the workplace after a long hiatus Combination CV / Résumé Highlights key strength of Chronological & Functional formats Emphasize both a steady work history & diverse skill sets - suitable for consultants, people who have strong skills as well as steady employment records, for those intending to apply to a broader range of jobs

16. Chronological Résumé Format This format emphasizes the most recent and relevant information in your career . Use this format if : you have steady work history have shown upward mobility or promotions with one or more companies following a single career path are applying for a job similar to your present or last one are applying for a job in a more traditional organization have worked with well known companies are working with a recruiter or staffing agency Strengths: Emphasizes stable work history & employers with strong name recognition / shows promotion / favoured by employers for making comparisons Weaknesses: Strong emphasis on work history is not ideal for some people / your most recent experience must be relevant to job you are applying for

17. Functional / Skills Résumé Format This format highlights specific skills, responsibilities, & accomplishments - also shifting emphasis of the Résumé away from recent appointment . Keeps skills and work history separate. Use this format if: you are changing careers / fields have interruptions in work history, demoted returning to the workforce after a hiatus you are a consultant, selling a service to customers Strengths: showcases your strengths & transferable skills from many sources - even unpaid work / can highlight experiences that have no direct relationship with recent jobs / flexible to prioritize sub-headings to tailor the Résumé to your needs, future oriented Weaknesses: not preferred by some traditional employers who may expect to see traditional lists of responsibilities & accomplishments linked to specific positions / should not be used if applying for position in same field as current position - do not emphasize career path

18. Combination Résumé Format This format emphasizes a consistent work history & diverse skill sets . Demonstrates how skills contributed to accomplishments. Use this format if : you want to apply for a broader range of jobs Strengths : showcases steady work history & diverse skill sets / allows broader range of professional objectives / ideal for consultants as it specifies how their skills influence the company's success Weakness : skills and accomplishments may need to be adjusted when one is applying for positions in multiple industries / conservative employer may still desire chronological Résumé

19. Competency-based Résumé Format This format always considers the needs of the employers first. It is "employer-focused" . Use this format if: you already have an idea about the company, job or industry you will be applying for you are applying to a competency-based organization you are seeking promotions or transfers within the company you want to showcase your accomplishments in each competency requirements Several Styles based on this format Direct Competency-based format Competency-based Chronological format Competency-based Functional format

20. Sections of a CV or Résumé Chronological Format - Contact Information - Headline - Summary of Qualifications - Professional Experience - Education, Professional Development, Training & Certifications Functional Format - Contact Information - Headline - Summary of Qualifications - Skills and Achievements - Experience History - Education & Professional Development, Training & Certifications Combination Format - Contact Information - Headline - Summary of Qualifications - Career Highlights (list out skill sets) - Professional Experience - Education & Professional Development, Training and Certifications ++ Awards and Recognition ++ Professional Affiliations ++ Publications, Presentations, Patents ++ Endorsements ++ Other Skills

21. 1. Contact Information Make yourself accessible, if you can't be reached, someone else would get your chance! Name Street Address Residence / Business / Mobile telephone number Fax number Personal email address Personal web page URL / Blog Strategy : Name should be in bold, on first line. Separate all other items with a symbol. Choose a layout for best visual interest and clarity.

22. 2. Headline Impress your reader with a strong headline that incorporates your: - professional objective & goal (what you're looking for and what you can offer) - key expertise & experience - key achievements Strategy : Tailor the statement to the position you are looking for. Bold, centre, italicize, and place below contact information

23. 3. Summary of Qualifications 10-second rule: Your Résumé only has 10 seconds to impress or be rejected. "Summary of Qualifications" maximizes the success of your Résumé within this tight time-frame - summarizing your professional worth. Strategy : - highlight your best selling points (don't be modest!) - include 5 - 8 components - years of experience / areas of expertise - awards or recognition - industry specific certification or professional training - soft skills

24. 4. Professional Experience Describe an overview of your professional career in a concise manner. Details to include: - company worked for - dates / location / company synopsis - position - job responsibilities or duties - accomplishment statement Strategy : - prioritize your accomplishment statements to emphasize your greatest attributes and contributions - write in correct tense

25. 5. Skills & Accomplishments This section is for Functional Résumé format where one uses a skills-based presentation of your qualifications. Strategies : a) List 3 to 5 subsections, highlighting key skills & abilities b) Under each subsection, list achievements, duties, & successes c) Each subsection should be relevant to the position for which you are applying - target & focus d) Demonstrate how you've applied your talents to get results

26. 6. Education & Professional Development, Training & Certifications Very important section - employers scrutinize this section when making decisions on two equally qualified candidates. Comes immediately after work history section. Strategies : - Provide these information (place you receive education , major or course of study, degrees you obtained) - Provide GPA if more than 3.0 - List special honors (e.g. summa cum laude) - Recent graduate can go heavy on this section - Relevant & recent information to be emphasized - Do not list irrelevant information

27. 8. Other sections ++ Awards and Recognition  - related to career accomplishments, community volunteerism, academic accolades ++ Professional Affiliations - career (organizations dedicated to professions / industry / functional specialty) & civic (community, nonprofit, for-fun groups) ++ Publications, Presentations, Patents - books & articles published, master's or doctoral thesis- primary or co-presenter at professional conferences, business symposium ++ Endorsements - letters of recommendations & reference / performance evaluations / letters of appreciation ++ Other Skills - computer skills

28. Career Life: Tips Anticipate & Embrace Change Embrace digital age and challenge yourself to think differently Think of your job from an owner's viewpoint ~ must NOT think like a job is something owed to you but as an opportunity to contribute Stop living career life in crisis management mode ~ think achievement mode