How to write a good CV
The CV is the method you can use to advertise yourself to prospective employers. The decision of calling you for an interview it is based on how you present yourself. A good CV should be informative and professional.
CV vs. Resume
Do you know the difference between CV and resume? Sometimes these terms are used as interchangeable. In fact, Resume is more common between American employers. The differences are related to the length, content and purpose. Whilst the CV is a more detailed synopsis, the resume should be brief and concise, summarizing skills, experience and education. CV in USA is requested for academic, scientific and research kind of applications, as well as for international positions. Also, the chronological order differs> the Resume starts from the latest to the earliest time, in descending order, whilst the CV follows chronological ascending order.
Although there are no strict rules, CVs tend to be structured in the following sections:
- Personal details: important to include phone number and email address to be contacted. Place your contact details at the beginning, in a visible way. Make them easy to reach you!
- Please do not include sensitive information such as: race, color, sex orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability or marital status. These data are not job-related, and can be motive for discrimination. According to a law a client or a recruiting company can have problems if you do write these data on your CV.
- Goals can be included, but it is not obligatory. Normally it is placed at the beginning. You would describe your career aim in few lines.
- Work experience: begin with your most recent job, and include company and responsibilities. Take into account the transferable skills. As far as you gain more work experience, and you search for higher positions, this section becomes more relevant than your educational background.
- Education: degree or certificates, main focus on recent qualifications and also relevant educational courses to the concrete job.
- Interests/Activities: you can use your hobbies and leisure activities to build on your qualities. For example, traveling is common for dynamic people, whilst good team players may like playing team sports. It is also important to show how you balance your job and your free time.
- Additional skills like languages spoken, computing knowledge, others.
- Achievements and accomplishments: your major achievements both academic and professional.
- References not compulsory, but available upon request.
It is important to be positive, specific and providing relevant information, according to the concrete position you are interested in. You can use sample CV on Internet like guideline to help you.