How Can I Prepare A CV?

In securing a job, the first thing you have to do is convince the employer to grant you an interview.  You have to make an impression on the employer and get your foot in the door. This is the purpose your resume serves. And guess what!! Most employers do NOT read resumes!! They scan them. And they only scan them for 30 seconds. That means you have to make an impression and secure an interview in 30 seconds.

The format you choose for your resume is, therefore, very important. It should be easy to read and should highlight all the positive things. There are 3 common formats for resumes. These are:

1. Chronological Resume: It is written in reverse chronological order, with your most recent education and experiences listed first. It is also the easiest to develop and the most commonly used format.

2. Functional Resume: It emphasizes your skills and abilities more than who you worked for or where you went to school. Dates are also not emphasized.

3. Combination Resume: It's a mixture of the above two. It's more difficult and time consuming by helps you in calling attention to your skills and abilities.

The format you choose to use should depend on the job you are applying for. You have to tailor your resume to your employers needs. Emphasize those skills, abilities and qualifications that match the job requirements.

There are many different formats for preparing a curriculum vitae. It's best to do a bit of research into your chosen field to find out what type of format employers like to see. A standard CV lists experience, skills, education and a few personal details. However, the preferred format may vary with the job; for instance, the format of a CV for a lawyer is different than that of a web designer.

A good tip is to use simple, strong statements in your CV that show what you did in previous jobs. An employer should be able to glance at it briefly and get a sense of your experience. Also, when describing what you did previous jobs, use action verbs like 'managed,' 'led,' and 'designed'. This shows the employer that you are action-oriented! For formats and further tips on preparing a CV, there are many resources on the Internet, in bookstores and in libraries.

The ordinary cover letters and resumes might not bring the desired results. There are "so called" experts that charge you for not submitting the desired CVs.
Here are 5 killer mistakes you should avoid before preparing the resume

1-Failure to state your objective clearly too often the candidates submit the resume without stating the clear objective and the reason for opting for that opportunity.
2- Focusing on duties and opportunities rather than achievements and success.
3- Resume length and the use of big words.
4-Poor resume formatting and visual layout
5-Spellings and punctuations


                       RESUME FORMAT
The resume can be written in a number of styles. But the most preferable format for resume must follow the following sequence:-

1- CONTACT INFORMATION
Name
Address
Telephone#
Cell phone#
E-mail

2- PERSONAL INFORMATION
Date of birth
Place of birth
Citizenship
Visa status
Sex

3- OPTIONAL INFORMAYION
Marital status
Spouse's name
Children

4- EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
List in chronological order, include position details and dates
Work history
Academic positions
Research and training

5- EDUCATION
Include dates, major, and details of degrees, training and certificate of
High school
University
Graduate school
Post doctoral training etc.

6- PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION
Certifications and accreditations
Compute skills

7- AWARDS
8-PUBLICATIONS
9- BOOKS
10- PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
11- INTERESTS

A CV can be prepared as follows:

Personal information first which includes your name, date of birth, place of origin, marital status. Next you should address your objectives then the summary of your qualifications. After that you can list your special skills and your experience. Finally you should add your contact, job title and your references.