How to write a good CV

Your curriculum vitae (CV) or resume is your ticket to a job interview. How you present your educational background, accomplishments and work experience can influence your potential employer whether to give you the job or not. Here are some tips.
 

• Adopt a chronological resume for those with extensive job experience. Start off with your present job title followed by brief description of your responsibilities and the duration of this position.
• Fresh graduates with no experience should use the functional resume approach which highlights their skills or abilities rather than on the experience.
• Keep it simple and within a page even if you have many years of experience.
• Be specific about the job that you are applying as the company may have vacancies for several positions.
• Address it a specific person. 
• Under personal information, include your phone numbers and email address in this digital age as your employers will want to reach you in the fastest way.
• Focus on what you can do relative to the job requirements than what you have learned in school, college or university.
• List courses, seminars or any non-classroom experience and extracurricular activities which are relevant to the job you are seeking.
• Write clearly and effectively as you sell yourself.
• Express the intention to follow up with a call to set up an appointment if you are doing cold marketing but if you are responding to an advertisement, express hope that the company would respond soon.

Common mistakes made by job seekers

• Sloppy presentation and typo errors. Check and double check before sending your resume.
• Wrong fonts and fonts that are too small just to save space. Use font size not smaller than 10 and bigger than 12. A plain Times New Roman is recommended.
• Using words of the job description to describe your qualifications. Try not to do that as it can sound phony and contrived.
• Lying in your resume about your qualifications and experience. Be truthful and accurate.
• Attaching letters of recommendations, copies of awards etc. Bring them to the interview and show them only when they are asked for.

How to ace the interview

You received that call or letter asking you to come for the interview with your potential employer. Here’s what you should do to prepare yourself for that face-to-face or one-to-one session. These days it could even be an online chat or phone interview.

• Get more information on the duties and responsibilities of the position that you have applied for if you have not already done so when you send in your job application.
• Anticipate questions from the interviewer and rehearse your answers convincingly. Record your replies and play them back.
• Prepare "right" responses to challenging and tricky questions like "Why do you plan to leave your present job?" or "What kind of boss do you think you would not like?"
• First impressions count. So, never be late. If you are, you better have a very good reason because traffic jams and difficulties to find a parking space excuses reflect on your poor time management.
• Dress appropriately. Avoid over dressing, under dressing or anything distracting. For professional jobs interviews, wearing a tie and coat for men is expected while business suits would suffice for women.
• A firm handshake for that first physical contact with your interviewer is universally preferred. It suggests self-confidence and respect or high regards for the other person. 
• Establish eye contact as you communicate to connect with your interviewer but do not go to the extreme of staring.
• Speak up and articulate your words so that the interviewer can hear you clearly lest it be misconstrued you lack confidence.
• How you handle small talk and your body language are important. Whatever the seating arrangements, try to lean slightly towards the interviewer as sitting back, especially with folded arms, suggests a defensive attitude. Be calm and composed.
• Ask some questions, especially the crucial one, "When do you expect to make the selection?"

Improving your marketability

• To compete in today’s tough job market and dynamic global business arena, you really need to stand out. Here’s how to do it.
• Get to know yourself first, your traits, characteristics and personality profile to help you develop your potential and determine what career path is most suitable for you. A strong personal character development can enhance your marketability.
• Hone and expand your skills. Find out what skills are most in demand from education fairs, career talks and websites.
• Having identified that, enrol in a class or take up courses or seminars in order to equip yourself, better still if such trainings are organised by your profession’s association.
• Read voraciously relevant trade publications and online news to not only keep abreast and have that edge over others but also to know what abilities employers in your field value.
• Polish on your communications and language skills. It will help in your interaction with others, report writing and boost your self confidence.
• Excel in what you do and you will be a valuable asset to your employer.
• Be actively involved in your company’s activities as you will not only earn the esteem and notice of your boss but also be able to develop meaningful working relationships with your colleagues, who might be giving you ones giving you the support and recommendations to move up the corporate ladder.
• Make yourself almost indispensable or someone whom your employer values so that you will be last one to be dismissed, especially in a recession.
• Be a motivator and inspiration to others so that you will be considered to head a unit or lead a team to spur your company’s growth.
• Register yourself in our website so that you can be notified of positions that will be of interest to you. You never know, you might be head hunted by a prospective employer.