Cv For Interviews

Posts Tagged ‘Work Experience’

The only information a potention employer usually has about you as a job candidate is the information presented on a resume and in the cover letter. It is also the only information that a hiring manager may have about the other five hundred candidates. Given that there are often large numbers of candidates applying for one position, you need a resume that will stand out.

<b>Using a Professional Resume Writer</b>

A professional resume writer is familiar with the job application process, and knows how to present your information in the best possible way. A professionally written resume can definitely help your resume stand apart from the crowd.

Writing a resume is a difficult and daunting task for many people, including those who have been in the workforce a number of years. For a college student with little or no work experience, the idea of writing a resume may seem like trying to do the impossible.

A professional resume writer knows the types of questions to ask to learn more about your background, education, skills, and experience, and then put this information into a cohesive marketing document called a resume. Additionally, a professional resume writer has typically written hundreds or even thousands of resumes, including many for new graduates and college students. Whereas you may be unsure which information to include, a professional can determine the most appropriate information to include and how to best present it. The result? A resume that stands out!

<b>How Does it Work? </b>

Depending on the service you choose, your writer will obtain as much information as possible from you regarding your background. You will need to provide information for your college resume including work history, education, volunteer work, professional memberships, skills, abilities, and anything else that may help your resume rise to the top. Most professionals will provide you with a questionnaire to fill out, will ask you a variety of questions, or both. Some resume writers work through the Internet, some by phone, some in person, and some using a combination of these communication methods.

<b>Choosing a Professional Resume Writer</b>

When choosing a resume writer or service, look for one that uses resume writers certified in the industry or who have degrees or other, legitimate credentials in the careers field. A number of organizations certify resume writers. Some of the more respected certifications include Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), Master Resume Writer (MRW), and Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW).  

Many career counselors and career coaches provide resume writing and additional services, such as assessments, interviewing skills, and job search strategies. Which service you choose will depend on your needs, budget, and comfort level with the organization, and method of communication. Some people enjoy the convenience of working online and through email, while others prefer the immediacy of face-to-face contact.

If you want your resume to rise to the top and obtain those coveted interviews, consider using a resume writing professional. Your future is at stake!

A sample letter to use as a guide when preparing your follow up letters can assist your job search, save you time, and make you look very professional.  Take a look at the following, and use it as a guide when preparing your own follow up letters.

SAMPLE FOLLOW UP LETTER

Date
Decision Maker, Position
Company
Address
City
State, Zip code
Dear (use name),

I wanted to touch base with you concerning my recent application with your company.  Knowing you are busy I’ve enclosed another copy of my resume for your review.

My interests and work experience are in the areas of sales and sales management.  Having worked with Xyz company for the past seven years as a sales representative, I have strong experience and believe I could be a strong asset to your organization.

I would appreciate the opportunity to visit with you in person, and will call next week to check on your availability.

Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
John Doe

Resume enclosed

Use this sample as a template, and change the relevant portions of it to fit your own skills, experience and interests.  Customize it, and send it out a week or ten days after you send out every resume, to each company that you’ve applied to.  Following up is a skill that many people fail to learn, and it can make all the difference in getting an interview.  Experiment with it, put sentences and paragraphs into your own words, and make it read like you wrote it.  Don’t get the impression that the letter must be used “as is” without changes.  It is a sample, or a template if you will, and is designed to be a guide for you to follow, not the end result itself.

This sample letter can also be used when applying online through the various job bank services on the Internet.  They all have a place for a resume and cover letter.  A week or ten days after applying, it doesn’t hurt to apply again, using the sample as a guide in the space normally reserved for a cover letter for your second application.

In addition to the follow up letter, your personal marketing toolbox should include other essentials.  These should include a well written resume, plenty of copies on good quality paper, a sample cover letter you can use for customization, copies of your reference sheet, a salary history, plain paper photo copies of letters of recommendation from previous employers, a sample thank you letter to use after the interview, and a job acceptance letter template you can use when you get hired. 

You’ll also need to practice your interviewing skills.  So you can see that while the follow up letter is valuable, there are many other things you need to have when job hunting if you want to look like the professional that you are.

There really is no such thing as an autobiographical sketch resume per se.  While a resume is a brief sketch of your employment and education history, you won’t want to include any personal information on your resume which is why some companies ask you to provide a written autobiographical sketch along with your resume when applying for a job.  Although they are two different documents, the two collectively together are referred to as a single document called an autobiographical sketch resume.

An autobiographical sketch resume is often used to determine the way you write and organize information and ideas.  Prospective employers are looking for words that flow, ideas that lead smoothly from one to the other, and good use of the English language.  You need to include a lot of information in your autobiographical sketch resume.

First, know that prospective employers are not necessarily looking for personal information in an autobiographical sketch resume.  If you want to offer up that information yourself, you can certainly do that, but, most likely what they want to know about is how you got into the field you are working in or the reasons why you want to work in another field.  They may also be wondering your thought processes regarding the philosophy of the business world or the career you want to get into.

Some things to include in your autobiographical sketch resume would be past work experience, why you decided to work in that field, thought processes about work assignments, any new projects and feelings about how you were going to complete those projects, and interactions with co-workers.  You will want the whole thing to be a page or less and you will also want it to be extremely positive.  Focus on the good stuff, stay away from the bad stuff.

When writing an autobiographical sketch resume, be professional and use good prose.  Make sure the words flow smoothly.  You may want to read it to someone else to get their opinion of what you have created.  Then, you can make any changes you think you need to make to improve it.  This is how your potential boss will get an introduction to you, so you will want it to be a great example of who you are and what you are capable of.

Writing an autobiographical sketch resume is not difficult, but it must be done in a way so that you will represent yourself in the most positive light that will compel your prospective employer to call you for an interview.  After that, you can dazzle them in person and show them that what you wrote in your autobiographical sketch resume really was true after all!

If you want to write an effective CV – one that will impress prospective employers, you must present your qualifications in a well-organized manner.  This will make it easier for the employers to browse over your valuable job experiences and educational achievements. 

The special skills, abilities and interests you have that would make you more efficient than the other applicants must be presented well, so that employers get to notice your job application distinctively over all others.

Writing that impressive CV would prove to be to your benefit so that you will have better chances on getting to sign on that job offer you have so longed for. 

If you had given out job applications before and have not received a call for an interview, it might be because you have poorly presented yourself in your CV.  You may have been qualified for the job – but with a lack of content or in excess of such on your CV, the employers may have had a bad impression about you.  

It’s about time that you get to write CVs that work. You need to start writing CVs that spark the interests of the prospective employers.  Your CV should be effective in giving you that chance for the next step and next screening process. 

You want to be able to send out your job application with a CV that commands attention.  This will definitely give you a ticket for that critical job interview.  To follow will be your guide to writing an impressive CV.

Basic CV Formats

1. Chronological Format

This is best used if you have a consistent work record and have been in particular area or field for a long time.  These emphasizes on your work experience, ideally with the most recent listed first.

2. Functional Format

This is also called the skills-based CV format.  The concentration here is on the knowledge, skills and accomplishment acquired due to various exposures to the different fields or due to special studies.  This also works well with those who have gaps in their work history.

More tips to follow…

If you have a scheduled job interview, make sure you have an idea who will conduct it. In this way, you will have an idea on the probable question that you’ll have to answer during the particular interview. 

If such would be the HR personnel, expect some general questions about your work experience.  There will also be questions that would probably test your way of thinking or how stable your emotions may be on pressured situations. 

There will also be questions that will ask you your plans for your career – and what your direction will be, several years from now.  It is best to answer this well, preferably with mention to your career goals and how you plan to achieve them.  This will show that you are the type who plans, and is proactively making things happen for your career. Being so, will tell that you are a good planner and is assertive.

If such would be the direct superior for your department, expect technical questions related to your field.  It is expected that you can provide the necessary details that are directly related to your job. 

You are assumed to be knowledgeable on all facets of the current position you are applying, so you may want to review some theories that may be of use.  Make sure you can articulate these theories and other practical aspects of your job.  Being able to do so will show that you are technically capable for the job requirement.