I have reworked my CV numerous times over the span of my career. I take the time to review the various formats available out there, get a couple of close friends to review it, do spell checks, and etc...
How do you build your CV?
Most of the CVs that I've reviewed, interestingly, not many really shouts "Oh this fella is excellent, set up an appointment". In fact, I pity the recruiters who have to filter through stacks of it.
Remember this, you are the product, you need to sell your features and benefits.
Imagine that you are selling a power tool.
Your sales pitch to a housewife vs a carpenter would be very different.
Perhaps, to the housewife, you sell the benefit of "easy to handle", just push a button.
And to the carpenter, you sell the the multifunctional or battery life.
You get the gist?
The company that you are sending your CV to is your customer
- Make your CV well structured so that it is easy to read
- Keep the tone plain and simple so that it is easily understood
- Show your personality so that you can build trust
The position that you are applying for is the problem your customer wants to solve
- Provide relevant experiences only, it's not about the more the better
- Put a number to the achievement, achieved cost savings vs. achieved cost savings of USD10,000 gives the reader a different perspective
With a good interviewer, you will be questioned in depth of the achievements/experience that you have listed.. so be prepared to put in things that you can really talk about passionately.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
What they teach you in University IS applicable in YOUR working life
How many times have you heard "I hardly applied anything (at work) that I studied in university"
Well, I am guilty of (having said) that too, especially when I first started my career, and I had no idea how Microsoft Excel works...!
However, it taught me many other more important skills, indirectly, and I list down the top 3 that continues to help me deal with the challenges of the working world.
1) Problem solving
My Dad showed me recently a mathematical problem used for a university entrance paper, the sort of questions that I used to have to solve quite a bit during my time on campus. Honestly, I couldn't solve it there and then. But I'm certain that I would be able to solve it, if given time to look it up, make some references, and speak to some people.
Now, work does not require you to solve mathematical equations (well, hardly complex ones*), but it does require you to solve problems, everyday. And university has prepared you with this skill, to dissect a problem into manageable parts and think of possible ways/methods/sources that could help you solve it.
*unless you are doing highly technical/specialised work
2) Ability to learn new things
A lot of subjects were probably new to you when you signed up for your first semester. You probably felt overwhelmed by all things new and confusing. The working world is no different, but eventually, you made it out of your degree, feeling proud and ready to take on the world.
What you may not have realised, is that you have picked up the ability and confidence to face new "subjects" at work, and learn it enough to perform and deliver within a short period of time.
3) Building relationships
Campus was a melting pot of new people from all parts of life for me. Never have I met so many "different" people in one place. I made some "enemies", lots of hi-bye friends and life-long ones as well. I've had my share of arguments, confrontations, but also a great deal of quality conversations and discussions.
In the work place, you are faced with similar challenges. Colleagues come from different parts of the world, walks of life, seniority, values and beliefs. Like it or not, you have to learn to work and solve problems together. You probably picked up during your time at campus, that people are not weird... it's just that they have different perspectives.
A seed is planted
Certainly you don't graduate being an expert in these abilities. But a seed is planted. It is up to you to realise it and to nurture it.
Thankfully, my University did not teach me Excel.
Well, I am guilty of (having said) that too, especially when I first started my career, and I had no idea how Microsoft Excel works...!
However, it taught me many other more important skills, indirectly, and I list down the top 3 that continues to help me deal with the challenges of the working world.
1) Problem solving
My Dad showed me recently a mathematical problem used for a university entrance paper, the sort of questions that I used to have to solve quite a bit during my time on campus. Honestly, I couldn't solve it there and then. But I'm certain that I would be able to solve it, if given time to look it up, make some references, and speak to some people.
Now, work does not require you to solve mathematical equations (well, hardly complex ones*), but it does require you to solve problems, everyday. And university has prepared you with this skill, to dissect a problem into manageable parts and think of possible ways/methods/sources that could help you solve it.
*unless you are doing highly technical/specialised work
2) Ability to learn new things
A lot of subjects were probably new to you when you signed up for your first semester. You probably felt overwhelmed by all things new and confusing. The working world is no different, but eventually, you made it out of your degree, feeling proud and ready to take on the world.
What you may not have realised, is that you have picked up the ability and confidence to face new "subjects" at work, and learn it enough to perform and deliver within a short period of time.
3) Building relationships
Campus was a melting pot of new people from all parts of life for me. Never have I met so many "different" people in one place. I made some "enemies", lots of hi-bye friends and life-long ones as well. I've had my share of arguments, confrontations, but also a great deal of quality conversations and discussions.
In the work place, you are faced with similar challenges. Colleagues come from different parts of the world, walks of life, seniority, values and beliefs. Like it or not, you have to learn to work and solve problems together. You probably picked up during your time at campus, that people are not weird... it's just that they have different perspectives.
A seed is planted
Certainly you don't graduate being an expert in these abilities. But a seed is planted. It is up to you to realise it and to nurture it.
Thankfully, my University did not teach me Excel.
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