GETTING A JOB ….

IN ENGLISH – Part 1
SOURCES:
www.topgraduate.com

1. Preparing your CV in English

There is a wealth of information available today on how to write that perfect CV which will
take you onto that perfect job. In fact, there is so much helpful advice on offer from different
sources that it can be a little overwhelming knowing where to begin.

You want to make sure that not only your CV stands out from the crowd, but also, if you are
applying abroad, that you are not overlooked due to cultural differences. The key to success in
this area is to make sure you tailor your CV according to the country, as well as the company
and job, to which you are applying.

To help you on your career path, here are some top tips on writing your CV, and how to
adapt it by country where necessary:

Where to start

The main function of a CV is to highlight your value to a potential employer, and a

chance for you to promote your skills and attributes, which are relevant for the job you
are after. Remember, you are writing your CV for the reader, not yourself, and so it is
important you judge the relevance of the information through the reader’s eyes. As the
reader progresses through your CV, there must be a clear order that moves from
essential information to additional information.

Top Tips for creating your CV

1.Tailor your CV to the job you are applying for – details, which may be vital for one
application, may not be as relevant for another. Multi – purpose CV’s tend to be too
long and full of irrelevant information.

2.Put the most important details near the beginning.

3.Leave no gaps in your CV – If you have been travelling for 12 months then say it,
time gaps can give the impression that you have something to hide.

4.Use clear legible text – most companies will scan your CV, you want to be sure
yours will survive the process. Use a clear universal font such as Arial or Verdana.

5.Your CV should be no more than two pages of A4 in length.

6.Check your spelling and grammar – would you employ someone who miss-spelt
their own name?

7.Four eyes are better than two!! – Make sure you get someone else to check over your
CV for you, it is better they point out any mistakes than a potential employer.
 8.Set aside time to prepare your CV – it cannot be done in just one evening.
Specific tips per country

United Kingdom
As your CV is a living document it will change according to the job you are applying
for. Key points to remember for inclusion are:

Contact Details: If you are at university don't forget to include your term time
and home addresses. Under the Equal Opportunities law, your date of birth,
nationality and marital status are optional.

Education: Space on your CV is precious; don't waste it by listing all your

school grades. Simply highlight those most relevant to the position you are
applying for. Your degree or post graduate qualification is likely to be your
most important educational achievement so allocate due weight in amount of
space on the page

Work Experience: Take space to highlight your achievements in previous roles,

as opposed to your daily routine.

Skills: You need to read between the lines and match your skills to those
required by the employer. Languages and computer literacy are becoming
increasingly important in all aspects of recruitment, but be wary of
exaggerating your proficiency; it is likely you will be asked about it at
interview.

Interests and activities: Demonstrate you are a sociable and team player.
Expand a little upon what benefits you gain from your interests.

References: Usually one academic and one employment reference.

Insider tips:

The successful graduate will have been able to demonstrate not only his or her
academic ability – and a grade 2:1 continues to be the common screening
benchmark – but also knowledge of the work that he or she is applying for.
Candidates also need to supply evidence that they have acquired and used,
ideally in work experience of some kind, relevant skills, in particular
analytical, interpersonal, communicational and organizational skills. The less
tangible qualities of drive and determination, business awareness and success
orientation are also important, alongside the more measurable numeric and IT
skills. One (or more) foreign languages often feature as a desirable attribute in
job advertisements.

ACTION VERBS to be used in completing CV

FORMULATED, ORGANISED, ANALYZED, IMPLEMENTED, PLANNED,

COMPLETED, INTRODUCED,
PROPOSED, COORDINATED, INCREASED, RESEARCHED, DESIGNED,
INITIATED, RECOMMENDED, DEVELOPED, INSTALLED, SOLVED,
EVALUATED, MANAGED, TRANSFORMED, VERIFIED.