Archive for the ‘Curriculum Vitae (CV)’ Category

When a CV (Curriculum Vitae) is Appropriate

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

Generally speaking, CVs or Curriculum Vitas, are only used in the United States when the candidate is:

1. Seeking an academic position or a fellowship

2. Has been published frequently within their career field

3. The company or institution to which the CV is being submitted requests a longer, more detailed version of the candidate’s history

Overseas, however, the situation is far different. Although some countries will accept resumes, most still want CVs. If you are applying to another country for a position, it’s important that you note how candidate data differs in that country and in this one. Overseas employers may ask for a listing of:

1. Personal information such as date of birth, marital status, nationality, religion, and number of children.

2. Linguistic and computer capabilities (this is nearly standard in other countries)

Additionally, presentation of data may vary from country to country (some prefer Education to be listed first even for seasoned professionals, while others want Professional Experience or Work History).

How to Tailor Your Resume for Maximum Impact

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

A STEP-BY-STEP APPROACH TO TAILORING A RESUME:

1. Use online resources to determine job requirements within the targeted industry: Search online job sites such as HotJobs or online versions of newspapers such as the Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, New York Times for employment openings. Then match your skills/knowledge/abilities to their requirements.

2. Prioritize data within the resume that meets the requirements stated within the job opening. Don’t hope that hiring managers will search for this data – they won’t.

3. Determine what’s most important to the employer – educational background or professional experience – and list it in that order: The key is to place relevant information first.

4. Pull out industry jargon (also known as keywords) from the job posting. Failure to provide keywords, especially when submitting to large corporations that use scanning software, will result in the resume being dismissed.

5. Use the appropriate formatting and tone as it relates to the targeted job: A conservative approach would be employed at law and accounting firms. The entertainment field or high fashion world would warrant a more stylish/casual approach.

6. Include ONLY what is relevant to the targeted position.

Update Your Skills for the Current Job Market

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

By Marina Ricci, JD, ResumeEdge.com Editor

If unemployment or underemployment has given you more free time than you would normally have, take advantage of that time to make yourself more marketable in the current job scene. 

One of the best ways to increase skills that could be readily used by future employers is to freelance.  Freelancing can include anything from writing to editing to graphic design.  Anything that can be done outside of the office on your home computer is considered freelancing.  This is the perfect opportunity to bring already-refined skills into the open.  Even if the work is unpaid, having work that is published or prominently displayed for future employers in a magazine or Web site is a great way to make your work stand out from the rest of the applicant pool. In addition, the more practice you have in a certain skill area will make your expertise even better.

Another great way to sharpen skills is to obtain a certificate for a certain skill-set at a nearby community college or skill center.  Certificates range from Speed-reading to Leadership.  Not only are these classes discounted because they are in a neighborhood community college, they will also teach or sharpen your skills.  Then, you can use these certificates to obtain an advantage when applying to jobs where most people have the same type of skills at the forefront. 

The best way to sharpen skills and obtain experience that is crucial to future employment, especially in a field outside of your expertise, is to intern.  Internships are up as companies need more staff and have fewer funds.  Thus, unpaid or underpaid internships are everywhere and can be created by companies.  Therefore, if you want to go into an industry where you have little experience, this is an opportunity to obtain it.  In these types of situations, if your work is really phenomenal, there may be a position that opens up in the company during the internship.

When sharpening up skills in this economy, it is important to make your skills and talents stand out from the rest of the applicant pool.  Thus, obtaining publication, certificates or experience that others lack is the fast-track way to getting the job of your dreams.

 To request Marina for your resume or cover letter order, please select her name in the ‘select editor’ field of the online order: http://www.resumeedge.com/ or http://resumeedge.ca/

Economical and Rapid Methods of Updating Your Skills for the Current Job Market

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

by Marina Ricci, JD, ResumeEdge.com Editor

If unemployment or underemployment has given you more free time than you would normally have, take advantage of that time to make yourself more marketable in the current job scene. 

One of the best ways to increase skills that could be readily used by future employers is to freelance.  Freelancing can include anything from writing to editing to graphic design.  Anything that can be done outside of the office on your home computer is considered freelancing.  This is the perfect opportunity to bring already-refined skills into the open.  Even if the work is unpaid, having work that is published or prominently displayed for future employers in a magazine or Web site is a great way to make your work stand out from the rest of the applicant pool. In addition, the more practice you have in a certain skill area will make your expertise even better.

Another great way to sharpen skills is to obtain a certificate for a certain skill-set at a nearby community college or skill center.  Certificates range from Speed-reading to Leadership.  Not only are these classes discounted because they are in a neighborhood community college, they will also teach or sharpen your skills.  Then, you can use these certificates to obtain an advantage when applying to jobs where most people have the same type of skills at the forefront. 

The best way to sharpen skills and obtain experience that is crucial to future employment, especially in a field outside of your expertise, is to intern.  Internships are up as companies need more staff and have fewer funds.  Thus, unpaid or underpaid internships are everywhere and can be created by companies.  Therefore, if you want to go into an industry where you have little experience, this is an opportunity to obtain it.  In these types of situations, if your work is really phenomenal, there may be a position that opens up in the company during the internship.

When sharpening up skills in this economy, it is important to make your skills and talents stand out from the rest of the applicant pool.  Thus, obtaining publication, certificates or experience that others lack is the fast-track way to getting the job of your dreams. 

To request Marina for your resume or cover letter, please select her last name in the “select your editor” field on the online order. www.resumeedge.com