Sample CV's
Have you ever looked at sample CVs? Sample CVs are a great way to see what other people are doing, allowing you to compare your work and see if it is up to industry standards.
As with any other skill, there's no need to reinvent the wheel when you can learn from other people's efforts, so make sure that you look at a variety of sample CVs before you start writing yours.
When you are looking at sample CVs, there are several things you need to look at. First and foremost you will want to check out the layout. While you might think it's original and interesting to design your r?sum? with a radically new layout, all you will be doing is making it hard for the employer to find the information they want.
If you're not sure about whether to use an interesting font, brightly coloured paper or a novel layout, put yourself in the place of the employer. You have two hundred r?sum?s to review - do you want something funky and original where you have to search around to find the key parts, or something that makes it easy for you to find the information you need?
There are accepted ways of designing and formatting a r?sum? for a reason. Firstly, it helps the employer. Secondly, a logically presented r?sum? tells the employer that you are organized, that you have put some thought into what you do.
The typical layout includes the following sections:
Your key skills and recent experience: This is where you do a little selling up front. The golden rule here? Tell them something they want to hear, that is related to the job profile, the key skills and experience required etc.
Your Profile: A short summary of your past experience, skills and abilities, and your career goals. Be sure to add a few appropriate adjectives that bring the profile - and you - to life.
Achievements: These are the important details that tell people what you achieved at your previous jobs - the impact you had, your successes and achievements.
Experience: The details of your work experience - you can also include volunteer work if it is relevant.
Special Skills (e.g. languages, IT skills): Focus on what is relevant for this particular job.
Education and Training: Again, focus on what's relevant - they probably don't want to hear about your boy scouts first aid badge - unless of course you are applying to work as a counsellor at a summer camp!
A quick search for sample r?sum?s online will give you a good selection to look at - choose the one that works best for you, and that you think is appropriate for the type of job you are applying for, and model yours on that.
