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Professional CV Writing Techniques

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Abasiubong Ettang
Abasiubong Ettang

A workshop on professional CV writing delivered to graduate job seekers (National Youth Service Corps).

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PROFESSIONAL CV WRITING Abasiubong Ettang
Why do we need CVs?
10 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUR CV 1. It is perhaps the most important document of your career 2. Writing an excellent CV is a job Plan for it. 3. For each job application, you need a new CV. YES! 4. Remember the 10 seconds rule 5. The level of your proficiency is perceivable on your CV DONT LIE
10 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUR CV 6. Have a professional email address. 7. Be careful with abbreviations, grammar & jargons. 8. EVERYTHING on your CV should be relevant to a potential employer. 9. The presentation of your CV speaks volumes. 10. Your CV SHOULD NOT exceed 2 pages. - There are exceptions though
SUGGESTED SEQUENCE OF CV SECTIONS - Personal details - Personal profile - Key achievements - Core skills/competencies - Work experience - Education - Hobbies & Interests - References
PERSONAL DETAILS Your name, contact details and bio data See sample below
PERSONAL PROFILE This section should in about 3 sentences say, Who are you? What can you offer? What do you want? e.g. I am a professionally trained career development expert with 5 years experience in administration and career development. I am seeking opportunities in human resource roles, to deploy my career consulting expertise within any organisation. [Do not use bullets here, Keep it simple and short].
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS (2 approaches) What difference or contribution did you make in your previous jobs (both paid and unpaid jobs). List them here specifically. e.g. - Met organisations client progression targets successively - Equipped target clients with employability skills - Facilitated re-engagement of clients into education Make sure these are relevant to your prospective job role. Use bullet points only
CORE SKILLS Make sure these are tailored to the job you are applying for. As much as possible begin with the most relevant to the job. List or use bullets. Use precise words. Keep them relevant. Rank them. Unless very necessary, minimize use of words like; Trustworthy, Honest, Dedicated, Humble, Self-motivated
CORE SKILLS e.g. Project management Accounting and auditing skills Excellent use of ICT Social networking Or, Project management, Accounting and auditing, Excellent use of ICT, Social networking
WORK EXPERIENCE * Reverse chronological order. * Mind the gaps. * Show value dont tell (Outcomes over duties). Job Role Sept 2000 Sept 2005 Organisation Organisations Address Responsibility 1/Outcome Responsibility 2/Outcome
WORK EXPERIENCE EXAMPLE Marketing Executive Sept 2000 Sept 2005 Beetle Bank Plc Eket. Akwa Ibom State Led marketing team which increased customer base by 28% Initiated an electronic sales system which generated N1m in 5months Responsible for monthly marketing reports Worked in a team of marketing training facilitators CAUTION: Dont repeat Achievements
EDUCATION Begin with most recent. Make sure you leave no gaps in between dates. Indicating the months is very important. e.g. Qualification Sept 2000 Sept 2005 Institution Institutions Address Professional Trainings and qualifications can come after educational history.
INTERESTS/HOBBIES Why do we have these on our CVs?
INTERESTS/HOBBIES Some interviewers might ask how your hobbies relate to the work you do. It is helpful to have a good answer in mind before attending an interview. e.g. I love football because it demonstrates teamwork and resilience (This does not have to be on your CV). REFERENCES It is ideal to indicate that these will be provided on request.
QUESTIONS?
THANK YOU.

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Professional CV Writing Techniques

  • 2. Why do we need CVs?
  • 3. 10 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUR CV 1. It is perhaps the most important document of your career 2. Writing an excellent CV is a job Plan for it. 3. For each job application, you need a new CV. YES! 4. Remember the 10 seconds rule 5. The level of your proficiency is perceivable on your CV DONT LIE
  • 4. 10 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUR CV 6. Have a professional email address. 7. Be careful with abbreviations, grammar & jargons. 8. EVERYTHING on your CV should be relevant to a potential employer. 9. The presentation of your CV speaks volumes. 10. Your CV SHOULD NOT exceed 2 pages. - There are exceptions though
  • 5. SUGGESTED SEQUENCE OF CV SECTIONS - Personal details - Personal profile - Key achievements - Core skills/competencies - Work experience - Education - Hobbies & Interests - References
  • 6. PERSONAL DETAILS Your name, contact details and bio data See sample below
  • 7. PERSONAL PROFILE This section should in about 3 sentences say, Who are you? What can you offer? What do you want? e.g. I am a professionally trained career development expert with 5 years experience in administration and career development. I am seeking opportunities in human resource roles, to deploy my career consulting expertise within any organisation. [Do not use bullets here, Keep it simple and short].
  • 8. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS (2 approaches) What difference or contribution did you make in your previous jobs (both paid and unpaid jobs). List them here specifically. e.g. - Met organisations client progression targets successively - Equipped target clients with employability skills - Facilitated re-engagement of clients into education Make sure these are relevant to your prospective job role. Use bullet points only
  • 9. CORE SKILLS Make sure these are tailored to the job you are applying for. As much as possible begin with the most relevant to the job. List or use bullets. Use precise words. Keep them relevant. Rank them. Unless very necessary, minimize use of words like; Trustworthy, Honest, Dedicated, Humble, Self-motivated
  • 10. CORE SKILLS e.g. Project management Accounting and auditing skills Excellent use of ICT Social networking Or, Project management, Accounting and auditing, Excellent use of ICT, Social networking
  • 11. WORK EXPERIENCE * Reverse chronological order. * Mind the gaps. * Show value dont tell (Outcomes over duties). Job Role Sept 2000 Sept 2005 Organisation Organisations Address Responsibility 1/Outcome Responsibility 2/Outcome
  • 12. WORK EXPERIENCE EXAMPLE Marketing Executive Sept 2000 Sept 2005 Beetle Bank Plc Eket. Akwa Ibom State Led marketing team which increased customer base by 28% Initiated an electronic sales system which generated N1m in 5months Responsible for monthly marketing reports Worked in a team of marketing training facilitators CAUTION: Dont repeat Achievements
  • 13. EDUCATION Begin with most recent. Make sure you leave no gaps in between dates. Indicating the months is very important. e.g. Qualification Sept 2000 Sept 2005 Institution Institutions Address Professional Trainings and qualifications can come after educational history.
  • 14. INTERESTS/HOBBIES Why do we have these on our CVs?
  • 15. INTERESTS/HOBBIES Some interviewers might ask how your hobbies relate to the work you do. It is helpful to have a good answer in mind before attending an interview. e.g. I love football because it demonstrates teamwork and resilience (This does not have to be on your CV). REFERENCES It is ideal to indicate that these will be provided on request.