Standard format and accepted conventions dictate that you write your CV in a certain way.
But these are after all just general guidelines.
Do whatever it takes-even if that means violating the rules-to best market yourself.
Your primary goal in a CV is to pre-sell-to convince the reviewer to call you for an interview so that you can then really sell yourself and close the sale.
Look at everything from the perspective of the person looking at your CV.
Important Tips Before we get into the components of the CV, let's lay out some important tips: - Avoid vague generalities-that is, always use detailed specifics and concrete illustrations.
- Position the most important information-your best selling points-at or near the beginning.
- Try to subtly lead the reviewer to the conclusion that you are absolutely the best candidate for the position.
- Avoid mere filler.
Make sure you can defend and justify every single word in your CV.
- Adapt and custom tailor your CV for each and every position and company.
(It's a lot more work than just creating one generic CV, but it's well worth the extra effort.
) - If you need to, hire a job coach or resume/CV expert.
Sample CV - Skeleton: John Smith 255 S.
Main St.
Anytown, OK 74137 Work 405-722-3636 Cell 405-766-5236 Profile Possess a wealth of valuable and documented experience in the sales arena, having taken the ABC Company and XYZ Corporation to unprecedented levels of sales by landing 7 accounts worth over $1.
3 million each.
Proven team leader with 5 prestigious leadership awards in the past 6 years...
[And so on.
Notice how you lead the reviewer to the appropriate conclusion with the word "valuable.
" Also, "$1.
3 million" is a concrete, arresting detail.
And "documented" and "Proven" imply that you can back up your assertions with facts.
] Professional History Sales and Accounts Manager, Big Time Company, Inc.
- April 2001 to Present Responsible for motivating and leading three 12-man sales teams.
Answer directly to President/CEO in handling accounts for 7 Fortune 500 companies.
Planned, implemented, and followed through to successful completion innovative marketing and sales campaign for product X in the Midwest...
[And more if necessary.
Notice the concrete details and the words-"motivating," "leading," "planned," "implemented," "successful"-that indicate your worth and ability to get things done.
Then, go on to delineate the rest of your employment history-as long as what you provide will help you get an interview.
] Achievements Increased sales at Big Time by 23% in a 6-month period.
Northeast Region Platinum Sales Award, 2002 President, Sales Professionals of America, 2002 to 2003...
[Go on to enumerate all the achievements and awards that will help you convince the CV reviewer that you are undoubtedly the best candidate for the position and that you deserve an interview.
Just make sure everything is relevant and serves your purpose-the fact that you were a den leader for the Cub Scouts usually won't help much.
] Skills and Qualifications 12 years experience as sales-team leader 18 years total in sales and accounts management Certified Leadership Consultant, Leadership Institute of America, 2003-2009...
[Again, include, as concretely as possible, everything that sounds impressive and that will help you build your case.
] Education MBA, Harvard Business School May 1995 Graduated Summa Cum Laude President, Future Business Leaders of America BS Business Administration, Oklahoma State University May 1993 [Present every aspect of your educational history that will make you stand out above the crowd of other applicants.
Do whatever it takes to present yourself in the best way possible.
] So there you have it: a bare-bones CV example.
Your job is to take the skeleton and put some flesh on it, so that it will live and breathe and convince the CV reviewer that it would be a huge mistake not to call you for an interview.
Be prepared to invest several hours to get it right.
But these are after all just general guidelines.
Do whatever it takes-even if that means violating the rules-to best market yourself.
Your primary goal in a CV is to pre-sell-to convince the reviewer to call you for an interview so that you can then really sell yourself and close the sale.
Look at everything from the perspective of the person looking at your CV.
Important Tips Before we get into the components of the CV, let's lay out some important tips: - Avoid vague generalities-that is, always use detailed specifics and concrete illustrations.
- Position the most important information-your best selling points-at or near the beginning.
- Try to subtly lead the reviewer to the conclusion that you are absolutely the best candidate for the position.
- Avoid mere filler.
Make sure you can defend and justify every single word in your CV.
- Adapt and custom tailor your CV for each and every position and company.
(It's a lot more work than just creating one generic CV, but it's well worth the extra effort.
) - If you need to, hire a job coach or resume/CV expert.
Sample CV - Skeleton: John Smith 255 S.
Main St.
Anytown, OK 74137 Work 405-722-3636 Cell 405-766-5236 Profile Possess a wealth of valuable and documented experience in the sales arena, having taken the ABC Company and XYZ Corporation to unprecedented levels of sales by landing 7 accounts worth over $1.
3 million each.
Proven team leader with 5 prestigious leadership awards in the past 6 years...
[And so on.
Notice how you lead the reviewer to the appropriate conclusion with the word "valuable.
" Also, "$1.
3 million" is a concrete, arresting detail.
And "documented" and "Proven" imply that you can back up your assertions with facts.
] Professional History Sales and Accounts Manager, Big Time Company, Inc.
- April 2001 to Present Responsible for motivating and leading three 12-man sales teams.
Answer directly to President/CEO in handling accounts for 7 Fortune 500 companies.
Planned, implemented, and followed through to successful completion innovative marketing and sales campaign for product X in the Midwest...
[And more if necessary.
Notice the concrete details and the words-"motivating," "leading," "planned," "implemented," "successful"-that indicate your worth and ability to get things done.
Then, go on to delineate the rest of your employment history-as long as what you provide will help you get an interview.
] Achievements Increased sales at Big Time by 23% in a 6-month period.
Northeast Region Platinum Sales Award, 2002 President, Sales Professionals of America, 2002 to 2003...
[Go on to enumerate all the achievements and awards that will help you convince the CV reviewer that you are undoubtedly the best candidate for the position and that you deserve an interview.
Just make sure everything is relevant and serves your purpose-the fact that you were a den leader for the Cub Scouts usually won't help much.
] Skills and Qualifications 12 years experience as sales-team leader 18 years total in sales and accounts management Certified Leadership Consultant, Leadership Institute of America, 2003-2009...
[Again, include, as concretely as possible, everything that sounds impressive and that will help you build your case.
] Education MBA, Harvard Business School May 1995 Graduated Summa Cum Laude President, Future Business Leaders of America BS Business Administration, Oklahoma State University May 1993 [Present every aspect of your educational history that will make you stand out above the crowd of other applicants.
Do whatever it takes to present yourself in the best way possible.
] So there you have it: a bare-bones CV example.
Your job is to take the skeleton and put some flesh on it, so that it will live and breathe and convince the CV reviewer that it would be a huge mistake not to call you for an interview.
Be prepared to invest several hours to get it right.
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