1st Edition For students, graduates and professionals

seeking career advancement

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EFFECTIVE CV WRITING

A STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO

DEVELOPING A GREAT/WINNER CV

Carolyne M. Lunga

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Published 2020 2020 CMLunga

ISBN: 9798633995497

Cover Design: Vincent Hardy Jongwe

Proof Reader: Adiele Dube

For Enquiries: carolynem05@gmail.com

info.greatcvcoverandapplication@gmail.com

All rights reserved

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About the Author Carolyne M. Lunga is a Career Coach and founder of Great, CV, Cover and Application Letters, an initiative offering career services. Lunga works with students and graduates mainly from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Namibia, Zambia, Kenya, Madagascar and other young people in various parts of the world. She has authored various career books including Essential Skills for Highly Successful Youths, Effective Cover Letter Writing, Using Linked In Effectively and Planning Your Career: Steps and Advice to Effective Career Planning. Lunga has read hundreds of CVs and Cover Letters for job, internship, fellowship and scholarship applications.

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Dedication To Emmah, Emily and Precious and all students and graduates. Never stop seeking knowledge.

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Acknowledgements The person most responsible for this book becoming a reality is Adiele, who works with me in inspiring hope and success to future leaders.

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Table of Contents About the Author ………………………………………………………….………. 3 Dedication……………………………………………………………………..……...4 Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………….5 Table of Contents…………………………………………………………………….6 Introduction……………………………………………………………………….…..7

Chapter 1 What is a Curriculum Vitae…………………………………………9 Chapter 2 Types of CVs………………………………………………………...11 Chapter 3 Key Sections of a CV……………………………………………….13 Chapter 4 Language to use in a CV…………………………………………...31 Chapter 5 Characteristics of a great CV………………………………………36 Chapter 6 Design and Layout of a great CV…………………………………38 Chapter 7 What to avoid on a CV……………………………………………...40 Chapter 8 Application Tracking Systems…………………………………….42 Annexure 1 - Academic CV Template Annexures 2 and 3 – Skills based CV template 2 and 3 Annexure 4 –Poor CV

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Introduction Welcome and congratulations for acquiring this book. This book is designed to give you advice and steps which are important to follow in creating a great Curriculum Vitae (CV) or résumé. It gives examples so that you can learn on what exactly needs to be done in order to stand out. A great CV is what you need in this highly competitive job environment as it will set you apart from the rest of the applicants and boost your chances to be called in for an interview to your next big opportunity. I am glad that you acquired this book and wish you the best in your career journey. The Effective CV Writing Book is one of the books in the Workplace Readiness Series. Other books in the Workplace Readiness Series include:

1. Effective Cover Letter Writing Tips and Advice 2. Career Planning 3. Career Planning for parents 4. Optimising your Linked In Profile 5. Interviewing 6. Remote Working Success Tips and Strategies 7. Pitching yourself 8. Personal branding 9. Upskilling 10. Preparing yourself for promotion

Carolyne M. Lunga Career Services Team Leader

Great CV, Cover and Application Letters www.greatcvdevelopers.com

Email: info.greatcvcoverandapplication@gmail.com

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Chapter 1

What is a Curriculum Vitae

1.1 Defining a Curriculum Vitae (CV)

A CV is a document used when applying for open positions. These may range from jobs, scholarships, internships, fellowships etc. It allows you to summarise your education, skills and experience, enabling you to successfully market your abilities to potential recruiters. In some contexts, such as the United States (US) and Canada, the name you will most commonly hear is résumé. A résumé includes key skills, educational qualifications, work history and achievements and is usually shorter than a CV. Check out the table below which outlines some of the differences between a CV and a résumé.

1.2 Differences between a CV and a Résumé

Curriculum Vitae

Résumé

Comprehensive

Less Comprehensive

Longer (N.B. Length varies from country to country. For some 2 pages is what is recommended but, in some places, it can be longer)

Shorter (1 page)

More detailed

Focused

Has major key sections and many more (See chapter on Key Sections of a CV)

Has fewer sections, which are linked to a job’s requirements

Should be tailored to the position on offer

Should be tailored to the position on offer

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Should be written for humans and Application Tracking Systems

Should be written for humans and Application Tracking Systems

What you include on your CV is dependant on what a particular position requires. In a later chapter, you will learn more about which sections are important to include in all CVs.

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Chapter 2

Types of CVs

2.1 Types of CVs

There are many different types of CVs. The most common distinctions which I will focus on in this book are academic CV and a skills-based CV.

2.2 Academic CV

This type of CV is suitable when applying for academic positions. These include research, teaching, or post-graduate studies. There is no specific length for an academic CV. When your career progresses, your CV can become longer as you will have more to include. I have seen some CVs belonging to seasoned professors which are 38 pages long and some much longer than that. As you may be aware, within academia (university and college), the following are emphasised- teaching and research experience, publications, community service, grants, fellowships and administrative service. In the digital era, innovation and entrepreneurship is another section that is considered important in academia which should now be included. You have to demonstrate that you are the best person for an academic position by marketing yourself well and providing full details on the sections I have highlighted above. Also ensure that your CV is easy to follow (see chapter 6 on Design and Layout). When you apply for an academic position, you will usually be asked to also submit a personal statement or cover letter and a list of other documents. These vary from institution to institution. Many selection committees for academic positions look at the CV first, study it thoroughly to see if you match the position on offer. Thereafter they proceed to assess other documents.

2.3 Skills Based CV A skills-based CV (sometimes known as a functional CV) will focus on the skills you have developed through different aspects of your life. Your CV should foreground these skills. A skills-based CV is often shorter (2 pages) than an academic CV and not as detailed. A skills-based CV should include a personal objective, work-experience and skills, educational qualifications, hobbies and interests. Depending on what the position you are applying for is, you can come up with a relevant section which would be an addition to the main sections. When crafting a skills-based CV, you should ensure that you;

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Make the skills stand out

Tailor-make the skills to the opportunity on offer

Provide situations which enabled you to develop the skills

Show what the skills you possess you have (which are relevant for the job)

enabled you to achieve.

Skills examples include- communication, marketing, customer-care, problem

solving, organisation and planning, Information Technology (IT) etc.

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Chapter 3

Key sections of a CV

2.3 Academic CV key sections When crafting an academic CV ensure that you have following key sections:

Career Objective (or Professional Summary)

Educational Qualifications

Teaching experience

Publications

Conferences and Workshops

Grants and Awards

Community Service/ Community Engagement

Professional Affiliations

References

2.3.1 Career Objective

This is the section that you will start with at the top of your CV. It is sometimes called the personal statement or personal profile. It does not matter what you call it as long as you ensure that it contains the following key details;

Total years of experience

Key achievements

Key skills

Future aspirations.

Depending on the position that you are applying for, ensure that you tailor the career objective to suit the position being applied for. Do not have the same career objective for all different positions. Each time you make a new application, tweak it. In terms of length, your career objective should be between 5 and 7 lines. The number of lines is not cast in stone as long as you are satisfied that it makes impact and has captured the important details. When you craft it, make it succinct, captivating and

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simple. In my role as Journalism lecturer I teach a course called News Writing. I always emphasise the importance of having a powerful beginning or lead. The lead is the introduction of a story and for a reader to be encouraged to read the full story, the introduction has to be strong and captivating. I have a quotation below by William Zinsser who says,

“The most important sentence in any article is the first one. If it doesn’t induce the reader to proceed to the second sentence, your article is dead.”

The principle presented by Zinsser is the same. The Career Objective is everything. Spend time writing it and revise it as many times as you can until you are satisfied that it will make the reader want to keep on reading. Simanga Dube is a lecturer with 5 years teaching experience in the field of journalism and media studies. He is applying for a PhD position in the same field. The PhD focus is digital journalism and the advert has specified that it seeks a candidate who has interest and knowledge in this area, with digital journalism skills and at least 2 years teaching experience.

Career Objective Example 1: A digital journalism professional with 5 years experience teaching students at university level. I have experience teaching online journalism, electronic publishing and fundamentals of producing content for online platforms. With the ever-evolving opportunities to produce and share stories on digital platforms, the need to keep digital skills up-to-date is vital for journalists. I am applying for a PhD position in Digital Journalism in order to enhance my knowledge and skills in this field. The PhD position is vital for my progression in academia so as to be an excellent guide to students on ethics of online reporting, analytics, creating multimedia packages and producing interactive content among others. Through the PhD, I will be able to enhance my research skills and contribute new knowledge in the field of digital journalism. This knowledge will be important in nurturing future leaders who are digital savvy.

A second example involves a new graduate, John, who has completed a qualification in Computer Science and is applying for Teaching Assistant position at a Telecommunications college called Great IT Solutions College. The position is perfect

Example

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for him because it only requires a degree and skills in artificial intelligence and says teaching experience will be an added advantage.

Career Objective Example 2 A Computer Scientist seeking a teaching assistant opportunity with Great IT Solutions College. I am excited to work with students and faculty members on new technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, and others in order to help the college to fulfil its objective of empowering students with AI skills. I am skilled in programming languages: C++, Java, Python, R, robotics, algorithms, software testing, integration, and installation; and maintenance of complex computer systems. I have 1-year tutoring experience acquired during the course of my Honour’s degree which enhanced my understanding of student learning and assessment.

In the above examples notice the following:

Ability to include total years of teaching experience (for both examples)

Showing research interest (for example 1)

Showing knowledge of the area being applied for and key skills (for examples

1 and 2)

Responding directly to the position being applied for (for both examples)

Showing future aspirations (for both examples)

Linking to the company’s vision (for example 2)

Whenever you craft your career objective, it is vital that you make it catchy or captivating. The recruiter should be encouraged to continue reading your CV after they have read the career objective. Take as much time as you can to craft and revise it so as to stand out. It does not matter in which field you are, the principles I have demonstrated above with the 2 examples in Journalism and Computer Science apply across fields.

2.3.2 Educational Qualifications

This is another important section of an academic CV in which you outline your qualifications starting with the highest and not the latest (unless if the latest

Example

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qualification is the highest). You should include the dates and the name of the university. Also include key subjects/courses that you did. Include only those that are relevant for the position being applied for. If you did a few courses for your Master’s degree (4-6), include them all. Thereafter go on and include the Honour’s degree, again including the institution where it was obtained and the dates (start and end dates). It does not matter if you include end dates only especially if there were gaps in between your studies. Many applicants make the mistake of not including relevant subjects. By so doing, it means the recruiter has no way of knowing how knowledgeable you are in a particular field. Always remember that the recruiter is looking for a person who brings specific knowledge and expertise and it is your duty to demonstrate what you bring on board. See the example below of how to include educational qualifications. Educational Qualifications example Qualification 1:

Master of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies, Rhodes University, South Africa (2010-2012)

Relevant courses

o Media and Society 72

o Media and texts 71

o Digital Journalism 70

o Research Methods 78

o Media Policy and Institutions 85

Thesis: A critical discourse analysis of the role of the blog posts of Politics and the Economy in southern Africa blog from 2005 to 2010. Grade 75

Example

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Qualification 2 Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Journalism and Media Studies National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Zimbabwe (2004-2008)

Relevant courses

o Introduction to Journalism 68 o New Writing 70

o Theories of the Media 65 o Introduction to Communication 64 o Introduction to research 66 o Media Ethics and Law 72 o Media and Human rights 70

Dissertation title: An investigation into how mainstream media organisations are adopting social media in news production. A case of the Daily Voice.

Grade 68.

I have given you an example of how to include educational qualifications. These are 2 qualifications belonging to the same person. Take note of how the degree is written in full, the name of the institution and country and also the dates in which it was done. Including dates helps to avoid having unexplained gap years. Always bear that in mind. Do not include professional certificates or certificates for short courses in this section as they will go onto another section later on professional qualifications. I deliberately made the names of the qualification bold so that they stand out. Again, think about what tools you can use to make certain information to stand out.

2.3.2 Teaching experience

Teaching experience is very important in an academic CV. Depending on how extensive your teaching experience is, this section can be organised in a few different ways. You can choose to organise it by institution, course level, or by area/field. Include the title of the course and the year (s) taught.

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Teaching experience example of courses taught by institution Example 1 (The blue arrows show the different institution names)

Courses taught at the Open University

Introduction to Journalism (JMS 1101) An introductory course which I teach to first year students. The course Introduces students to the field of journalism. Students are taught about the role of journalism in a democracy.

Media Law and Ethics (JMS 3201)

I teach this course to third year students. The course examines the legal and ethical principles that the mass media must be cognisant of and the moral responsibility of various practitioners of mass communication, with emphasis on journalists. It surveys various codes of ethics and identifies ethical issues that journalists are confronted with from day to day in the country, regional and global media. It also analyses various legal statutes affecting the media locally.

Courses taught at Media and Communication College

New Media I have taught this course from 2012-2015 consecutively to 4 groups of 4th year students. Media and Society I taught this course to 2 groups of first year students. The courses focus on the complex relationship that exists between media and society.

Introduction to Communication Theories This is a service course I taught to 1st year students in Journalism and Media Studies and Library and Information Science in 2015. The objective of the course being to ensure students understood what

Example

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communication is, what it involves, approaches and theories of communication and how to communicate in various contexts.

Teaching experience example of courses taught by course level for all universities. In the first example, focus was on

institutions, now it’s on level

Example 2 (The blue arrows show the different course names)

Level 1 Course- List all

Introduction to Journalism (JMS 1101)

An introductory course which I teach to first year students. The course Introduces students to the field of journalism. Students are taught about the role of journalism in a democracy.

Level 2 Course(s)- List all

Media ethics (JMS 2102)

I taught this course to second year students. The course covered ethics of journalism including, accuracy and verification, objectivity, confidentiality etc. Broadcast Journalism (JMS 2103)

I taught this course to second years. Course focus was on teaching students how to write scripts for bulletins, headlines and reports; selecting appropriate locations, pictures and sound and exercising editorial judgement on the best angle from which to approach a story. Identifying necessary resources and deploying and managing technical crews for location shoots, including sound operators and camera crew providing directorial input, advising crews on what to film or record using portable digital video (DV) cameras and other equipment to record material.

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Level 3 Courses- List all

Media Law (JMS 3021)

I teach this course to third year students. The course examines the legal and ethical principles that the mass media must be cognisant of and the moral responsibility of various practitioners of mass communication, with emphasis on journalists. It surveys various codes of ethics and identifies ethical issues that journalists are confronted with from day to day in the country, regional and global media. It also analyses various legal statutes affecting the media locally.

There is no single correct way of including the courses you taught under your teaching experience. It is important that you include clear subheadings so that the selection committee can easily follow through your CV.

2.3.3 Publications

Publications are important in an academic CV as they provide the proof that you have experience and knowledge in a particular area. With so much competition available for fewer jobs, publications will set you apart from other applicants. The advantage of including publications is that:

Recruiters can see that you are an active researcher who understands the

importance of value of research.

Proves that you are knowledgeable in a particular field

Instils confidence and trust in recruiters

Publications have become easily accessible online, thanks to the internet. This means the selection committee can go online to check specific publications, the metrics (who has read them, how many times the article has been downloaded and in which universities and countries it is being read). Include all the publications you have particularly those that are relevant for the position you are applying for. The most common types of publications that selection committees look out for include:

Journal articles (in reputable journals)

Books on academic subjects

Book chapters

Contributions to magazines, newspapers or other publications in your field.

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Publications examples

Journal article

Lunga, C.M. and Mthembu, M. 2019. Investigating the Source and Strategies Adopted by Mainstream Media in Combating Fake News in the Kingdom of Eswatini, African Journalism Studies. DOI: 10.1080/23743670.2019.1664606

Book Chapter Mthembu M. V. and Lunga, C. M. 2020. The Extinction of siSwati-language Newspapers in the Kingdom of Eswatini In Salawu, A. (ed) 2020 African Language Media Development, Economics and Management. London: Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/African-Language-Media-Development-Economics-andManagement/Salawu/p/book/9780367408404

Pay attention to how I have included the author names and made bold mine so the recruiters can easily identify it. I have also included the title of the journal article, the name of the journal and the link where it is found in case they want to verify. You can list as many as you want, particularly those that are relevant to the position on offer. You can also include another section focusing on Work in Progress and another one which refers to articles that have been submitted for publication with a heading called Submitted for Publication. It is up to you, how you choose to include your publications. You can group them according to the latest one to be published, or in categories so that book chapters, journal articles and books are put in separately. This will enable the selection team to quickly identify what they are looking for.

2.3.4 Key Skills and Attributes

This is one of the most important sections of a CV where you show the recruiter your competencies. You should include industry specific and transferable skills to show that you are a whole rounded person. Transferable skills are the skills, attributes and strengths that are needed for specific job roles. Whether you are applying for a graduate scheme, internship, postgraduate studies or promotion, you will be expected to have some of the skills, or the potential to acquire the skills needed to do the job. With so much competition in the job market, increasingly employers expect students

Example

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to have experience of the workplace and be work ready upon graduation. You know which skills are important in your field. Ensure that you have them and be sure to include skills that are relevant for the position that you are applying for.

Transferable skills you may include on your CV Adverts usually list the skills and attributes for the kind of person they are looking for. Below are some of the skills to include;

Team work

Communication

Leadership

Problem solving

Organisation and prioritisation

Time Management

Listening

Research and analysis

Information technology

Adaptability

Creativity

Critical thinking

Multi-tasking

Decision making

Innovation

Lifelong learning

Stress management

Emotional Intelligence

To describe your great communication skills, you may talk about: Oral/ face-to-face, written-reports and record-keeping, accuracy and attention to detail, influencing, presenting, ability to build rapport etc). In other words, one skill can help you to explain associated skills and competencies.

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Social Media Marketing: Grew engagement on Facebook from 5000 to 1000

within 2 years of joining the company.

Communication: Through my excellent communication, I successfully prepared

and delivered 3 training programs to 50 staff members. I was able to build rapport, support and understanding for the new healthy policy within a short period of time. Some personal attributes to list on your CV could include:

Risk-taker

Self-motivated

Drive / energy

Persuasive

Lateral thinker and many more.

NB. And whenever you include these, if you have them, show what they have enabled you to achieve.

Tip-For more skills, make use of Google, to search for relevant skills in a particular

profession.

2.3.5 Conferences and Workshops

Networking is an important part of academic development. One of the ways to show that you are networked and have been able to share your research findings with colleagues in the same field is through participating in conferences and workshops. You should include the most relevant conferences or seminars where you presented or participated on a panel within the last 5 years. Include the dates and where the events took place. The more diverse the places the better as it shows that you are an academic who networks with people outside your local area.

Example

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Example of including a conference

Paper presentation: Normative roles of the media. SACOMM conference held in Pretoria, South Africa (29-30 June 2018).

From the above example, we can note the following:

Type of presentation Research paper presentation

Title of paper Normative roles of the media

Conference name SACOMM

Venue UNISA, Pretoria

Country South Africa

You will do the same for workshops attended. There is no limit on the number of workshops and conferences to include on an academic CV as long as they help to make the recruiter see you more favourably.

2.3.5 Grants and Awards

Grants and awards are important on a CV to show that you are a high achiever. You should list your honors in reverse chronological order. In other words, start with the most recent grant or award. For each entry, include the following

Award name

Granting institution/organisation

Date awarded

Additionally, you can include a one-line description of the award to help the recruiters or the selection panel to understand its significance. For example, one of five awarded each academic year or selected from 500 applicants for innovative teaching etc. It is

Example

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common in universities to receive best teacher of the year, or best tutor for a course etc.

If you have received research grants, you can include them here. If the awards were awarded for teaching, research or community service, you may consider having sub-categories to show these distinctions. For instance, you can have

Teaching

Research

Community Service

2.3.6 Community Service

Community service is one of the important pillars in the university that require academics to be active in their communities. Through community service, you can provide potential recruiters with insights on what you really care about, demonstrate your passion and that you are a socially responsible and proactive individual. Examples of things to include under community service include

Career guidance talks in schools

Community outreach programs on specific talks such as environmental

awareness, entrepreneurship, HIV/AIDS talks, climate change, financial

literacy etc

Visits and donations to orphanages, people living with disabilities and old

people’s homes etc

Inviting students to spend a day at the university or college so as to

experience what it means to be in a university

Being a mentor to younger graduates or high school students

There is so much you can do in giving back or volunteering. I wish to outline some of the benefits of volunteering.

Benefits of Volunteering

It gives you an opportunity to do something for your community without

expecting payment for it

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It helps to you display your leadership qualities

It is a great opportunity to meet other professionals interested in similar work

It allows you to share your knowledge with others

It presents you with an opportunity to interact meaningfully with community

members in an non-formal environment in order to understand what their

needs are.

It helps you to develop soft skills such as taking initiative, collaboration/team

work and problem solving which are very critical in today’s world.

It can also provide you with new ideas on moving forward in your career.

2.3.7 Professional Affiliations

Under this section, you will list the professional bodies or organisations that you belong to. Examples of professional bodies include:

Law societies

Engineering Associations/Societies

Journalism Associations and societies

Computer Science Associations

Medical Associations

Quantity Surveying Boards

Accounting Boards/Associations

Members can range from student, fellow or associate. In including this information on your CV, you can write the following:

Member position

Name of Organisation

Year

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Fellow, Engineering Association of South Africa, 2015-present day

Benefits of including professional membership on a CV

Shows that you are involved with your industry

Indicates interest in that specific area

Displays priorities and professional commitments

Shows that you are up to date with trends in your field

Can make you to stand out from other applicants

2.3.8 References

References are a list of contacts you include on your CV, who will be contacted by a potential recruiter to provide information about you and your work. Employers value references because they can get a third-party opinion on the value you will bring to their team or validate what you put in a CV. Before you include references, first ask for their permission and make sure that you include credible references and who can speak highly of you. Potential references can include direct supervisors from school, jobs or internships. Dissertation supervisors, a former lecturer or co-workers who can speak about your accomplishments are ok to include. If you do not have much work experience, you can consider people you know from volunteer activities and professional associations. It is important to include people you have recently worked with. If not, you can include someone you worked with years back. Only ensure that you keep them updated on your recent achievements. It is wise to share with them your latest CV. Checking references may be the final step a potential employer takes before offering you a job, so preparing a list of people who can vouch for your work is crucial when looking for new opportunities. When including references, include the following details:

Full Name

Example

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Job Title and relationship to you (e.g Former Supervisor etc)

Company Name

Company Address

City, State, Zip

Phone

Email address

Professor James Knight Lecturer and Supervisor (Final year Project) University College of Education P. O. Box 35, Manzini Eswatini 00268 2518 4336/00 2687132567 jamesknight@uce.co.za

On resumes or 2-page CVs, it has become common to not include references. You may include a statement which says “References available on request”

People to avoid on your CV as references

Friends

Parents

People who won’t answer their phones or respond to emails

A supervisor who fired you or whom you did not get along with

The people I have identified above may limit your chances of acquiring a position because they are unable to speak about what you do professionally. Keep in touch with your referees and if the application requires referees to complete a particular section, let them know through a phone call.

Example

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2.4 A Skills Based CV sections

The main sections of skills-based CV are outlined in this section. I will not be getting into detail on what each section should contain as the principles are similar to those, I described for an academic CV.

Personal details

(Name and surname, email and phone number and Linked In URL)

Personal Profile/ Personal Objective

(State why you are interested in the job, state your career goals and what you hope to achieve by being part of the company and mention the skills that you bring to the position)

Key Skills and Attributes

(Include the skills and attributes that are relevant for the opportunity that you are applying for and show how you have developed them)

Educational Qualifications

(Include your educational qualifications starting with the latest or highest qualification and a few subjects relevant for the position)

Work Experience

(Include relevant work experience starting with the latest. Avoid unexplained gap years. Show examples of achievements and skills developed at your previous work place and use statistics to show achievements. Do not list your duties and responsibilities)

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References

(Include full details of references including email, phone numbers, position and company)

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Chapter 4

Language to use in a CV

4.1 Language to use in a CV

Your CV is your golden opportunity to market yourself to a potential recruiter so because of that use it effectively to tell your story in the best possible manner. The time you spend on creating a great CV is equivalent to the time the recruiter will spend on it so you should make it worthwhile. Language plays an important part in showcasing what you bring to a position on offer. Word choice is important when it comes to drafting your CV as it enables you to wow recruiters with your skills, competencies and relevant credentials.

Application Tracking Software (ATS) which I describe in Chapter 8 are also programmed to pick up keywords and phrases that were in the job description. It is important that you include these words so that your CV is not rejected by the ATS. If recruiters are going through your CV and it is not reflecting specific terms, they may immediately think that you are not qualified for the job.

4.1.1 Action Words

Action words are important in a CV as they show what you have done/accomplishments. They show that you are an achiever and are action oriented. Examples of action words to include when describing your achievements are

e.g. Demonstrated

Collaborated

Exceeded

Increased

Reduced

Established

Transformed

Orchestrated

Grew

Led

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Enhanced

Developed

Increased

Managed

Rejuvenated

Initiated

Spearheaded

Instigated

Transformed Motivated

Achieved Delivered

Overhauled

Inspired

Awarded

Introduced

4.1.2 Keywords and phrases found on the job description

Each and every sector has keywords that are used by recruiters. Keywords are the phrases or words used in your CV that the ATS software will pick up. The software is looking for keywords that match most closely with the job description. Getting this right should ultimately put you top of the application pile. You might find these keywords in the original job description or job advert.

4.1.3 Where to find keywords

In job posts

In adverts of jobs of similar positions

On a company’s website

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4.1.4 Examples of Keywords in various fields

Journalism

Computer Science

Exercise

Science

Accounting

Education

Reporting

Analytics

Physical

activity

Process

Technology integration

News Writing

Web administration

Fitness Reconciliations

Teaching and Learning

Feature Writing

Artificial Intelligence

Performance Reports

Student Centred

Digital journalism

LAN/WAN

Skill Audits

Classroom management

Researching

Programming

Sports Accounting

Inter-disciplinary

Microblogging

Coding

VO2max Clients

Transformative

Crowdsourcing

Microsoft SQL Server

Dehydration Accuracy

Course Design

Watchdog

VPN

Concussion GAAP

Educational Services Administration

Hard news

Apache

Body

composition

Credit

Curriculum Development

Lead

Scripting

Sports injuries Liabilities

Blended Learning

Headline

Windows

server

Training

Invoice

Student

Advisement

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Multimedia Network

systems

Biomechanics Financial

statements

Assessment

Public Interest

Data

modelling

BMI

International

Financial

Reporting

Standards

Academic

standards

News Cycle

Machine

learning

Nutrition

Debt

Inclusive

classroom

Public service

Big data

Competitive

Financial

modelling

Reflective

teaching

Accuracy

Process

management

Training load

Investment

management/

analysis

Digital literacy

Objectivity

Business

solutions

Obesity

Collections

Interactive

classroom

Data

Journalism

JAVA

Bio-

mechanics

Commercial

lending

Problem based

learning

News writing

Automation

Tools

Physical

education

Cash flow

Peer learning/

teaching

Interviewing

HTML

Adapted

Capital Budget

Student

success

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Inverted

pyramid

MySQL Activation General

Accounting

Parental

involvement

Data Analytics

Software

Engineering

Muscle

General Ledger

Special needs

Visualisation

Architectural

design

Recreation

Initial Public

Offering (IPO)

Scaffolding

Objectivity

Algorithms

Rehabilitation

Equity

Student

experience

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Chapter 5

Characteristics of a Great CV

5.1 Characteristics of a Great CV In order to produce a great CV, one that will make you to stand out from the rest of the applicants, you need to fulfil a number of steps, some of which I have already outlined above. When a recruiter or hiring manager is going through CVs, they can easily distinguish between applicants which candidate they think best matches the position on offer based on what is on the CV. It is therefore important that you make your CV to stand out. A great CV:

Is not rushed, with spelling, grammar and insufficient details about what you have to offer.

Is tailored to suit the position on offer (by making use of keywords and phrases from the advert)

Shows clearly your previous, present work and future aspirations

Uses simple language

Demonstrates achievements

Tells your success story

Provides as much detail as possible to help the recruiter to make a decision

Has a design that is easy to follow

Makes use of bullets to make certain information easy to spot

Makes section headings to stand out by using bold functions

Makes use of positive language and action words

Shows examples of achievements

Not be written CV at the top, your name, email, social media

presence and contacts only

Be free from error and grammatical mistakes

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Provide full details of referees (name in full, position and organisation, email address and contact numbers)

Be well laid out, with white space and clear and bold headings

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Chapter 6

Design and Layout of a Great CV

6.1 Designing your CV

Design is an important part of a CV. A CV which is easy to follow will make the most impact than one which is difficult to read. When designing your CV consider the following:

The font

The font size

The most suitable CV format

Font

Using a commonly used font such as Times New Roman will make your CV go a long way in making impact. You can also use other fonts such as Calibri or Arial. Avoid such which are difficult to read.

Font size Use standard font size 12 for all the text. Your name at the top of the CV should be in a larger font size than the rest of the CV. For section headings and subheadings you can use a bigger font so that they are easily spotted and can stand out. The use of the bold function can help the headings and subheadings to stand out.

The most suitable CV format

Start your CV with your personal details (Name, Surname, contacts and Linked In URL). Avoid personal details such as age, sex, marital status and religion as they may lead to discrimination. Only include them if the advert says so.

Then include the Career Objective section,

Educational Background,

Work Experience,

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Key Skills and Attributes and other relevant sections depending on the type of CV and what position you are applying for.

Use bullets/numbering to list courses and showcase achievements

Avoid too long paragraphs

Avoid including a photo as it may lead to discrimination based on how you look. In some contexts, you may however be required to include it.

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Chapter 7

What to avoid on a CV

There are a number of things you should avoid on your CV. I will explain fully why.

1. Avoid Errors on your CV

Errors on your CV show that

you do not pay attention to detail

you are not concerned with accurate and professional communication

you did not proof-read your work

you did not do your research

you are not the perfect person for that job

2. Avoid not providing enough detail for what you can offer

In this competitive environment, it is critical that you provide as much detail as possible so that the selection committee has enough information to decide if you are suited for the position or not. Not including enough detail is equivalent to undervaluing yourself.

3. Avoid using the same CV for all positions

As I have already indicated above, recruiters look for specific things in a CV which is why you should ensure that your CV is tailored for the position on offer. If your CV is general, recruiters can easily pick that up and will immediately reject your CV.

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4. A poor layout

CVs which make impact are those that have a clear layout and format and are easy to follow.

5. Over-decorating your CV

When designing your CV avoid over-decorating it with very sophisticated designs and colour that will make the CV difficult to read.

6. Highlighting duties instead of achievements

Do not copy responsibilities and duties from old job roles. You should use your CV to find ways to detail what you actually achieved whilst you were there.

7. Incorrect Contact Details

Make sure that your contact details are correct and up-to-date before sending out your CV. Additionally, do not include inappropriate email addresses. If your email address is immature or unprofessional then create a new one.

8. Avoid Using Clichés

Anyone can write ‘hard working’ or ‘works well in a team’. If you have detailed your achievements throughout your CV, these skills should be evident without having to list them.

9. Fake references

Recruiters can tell if your references are fake as the people will not be able to speak confidently about the skills and experience important for a specific job. Be honest about who you include as referees.

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Chapter 8

Application Tracking Systems (ATS)

8.1 What are Application Tracking Systems (ATS) Advancements in technology and artificial intelligence have resulted in many systems becoming automated including recruitment processes. An ATS is a software used by companies to screen applications. It scans CVs and selects those that match the job description and then passes them on to the human recruiter. Big and small companies are using ATS to select applicants from thousands and thousands of applications. This saves them time and the ATS, selects the candidates that meet the requirements of a position on offer. ATS are everywhere as most companies are using them. Some of the ATS are programmed in such a way that they rank candidates and the CV that most matches the job will be placed at the top against its percentage match. Some ATS are programmed to show the skills that are missing from your CV. Imagine if your CV is matched at 25%, that will be an automatic rejection as it will mean that you do not meet the position. Because CVs may already have been captured into the system, it is easy for the recruiter to use them when hiring next time so what they will do is just to type the relevant key words. If your CV do not have those words, the match rate will be very low and that will minimise your chances of going through to the next stage. Ranking by ATS A recruiting manager for the T and S Accounting firm is hiring for the position of Accountant which was recently advertised in the press. They received 500 applications and they have decided to select the top 5 whose CVs will be analysed by the recruiter and then decide who to call in for interviews. Below is the outcome after the recruiter typed accounting as a keyword.

Example

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Name

Match Rate

John Ncube 94%

Simon K. Lee

87 %

Novuyo Nhlabatsi

83 %

Carol Moyo

74%

Tom K. Lin

61%

Thuba Ndlovu

52%

John Sibanda

34%

Kim T. Moyo

31%

8.2 How to optimise your CV for the ATS The first thing is to do is to go through the job description in order to understand what a job requires.

Use simple font such as Times New Roman or Arial

Reiterate skills in the entire resume

Include keywords and phrases from the job-description on your CV

Ensure your CV has standard section names such as Work Experience,

Educational Qualifications

Ensure that the CV is tailored for the position

Support acronyms with full names

Make your CV simple to follow

Proof-read your CV

Submit your CV as Microsoft Word Version

8.3 What to avoid

Do not use photos because the ATS will not recognise it

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Avoid tables and graphs, because the ATS cannot understand them

Avoid pdfs (some systems accept pdfs)

Errors as they may cause immediate rejection

Avoid fonts smaller than 10.

Conclusion

The key to a creating a great CV comes with knowing the principles of how-to tailor make a CV to suit the position, language to use on a CV, design and layout and what to avoid. In the book, I have showed you examples of how to write each of the different sections so that you stand out.

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Final Thoughts

In these competitive times that we live in, it is important for you to invest time in learning about developing powerful application documents. Your CV is your marketing document, which should create a long-lasting impression and convince the recruiter that you are the person that they are looking for. The following are important to keep in mind at all times:

Use captivating language

Have a simple layout

Be concise

Tailor-make or customise the CV to suit the position on offer

Follow the rules of ATS compliance

Avoid spelling errors and grammatical mistakes

Use white space and indent for easy readability

Include all key sections that showcase your knowledge, experience and skills.

To do a thorough job in marketing yourself, I challenge you to continue acquiring knowledge as it will help you. Do not limit yourself to one country. Instead have confidence to look for open opportunities in different countries and adapt your CV to suit each particular context.

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TEMPLATES YOU CAN USE TO

CREATE YOUR OWN CV

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Annexure 1: Academic CV template

Name and Surname Address, City, State Zip Code Telephone/Cell Phone Email address

Career Objective

Powerfully explain (use strong and positive language) why you are the perfect fit for the position. Summarise total years of experience

Educational Qualifications

List your graduate and undergraduate qualifications. For each degree include: Degree earned, Name of institution, Location, Start and end dates. Also include relevant courses.

Work Experience

Include your employment history in reverse chronological order. Include dates and highlight achievements.

Fellowships/Grants

This section can include:

• Fellowships

• Awarded grants

• Internships

Be sure to include the organisation, dates, your title and the amount of grant money awarded.

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Honours and Awards

List any honours or awards you’ve received related to your work.

Conference/Talks

List any presentations or talks you have given and any conferences you have organised.

Administrative service (in the university)

Include any services you have completed for your department, including: Head of department (or where you have acted) Faculty representative Compiling reports Representing the department at a meeting or presentation Invigilation/Chief Invigilation

Certifications/Licenses

Include any certifications and licenses you have and the date received.

Publications

List any books, book chapters, journal articles, newspaper articles and other articles or other publications. Be sure to include the: Title Date of publication Name of Publication Page numbers (if applicable) You can also include links to this information

Professional Affiliations

Highlight professional organisations you belong to or if you are on the board of any organisation.

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Interests/Skills

Include relevant skills and interests such as:

Information Technology (IT)- MS Office, Internet and social media, web design, data analytics.

Foreign languages spoken

Travelling

References

Include a list of references at the end of your academic CV, particular those who can speak about your academic experiences.

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NAME AND SURNAME, CONTACT NUMBERS, EMAIL AND LINKED IN URL

CAREER OBJECTIVE

DESCRIBE YOUR TOTAL YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, KEY SKILLS AND FUTURE ASPIRATIONS.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Degree Name and Institution

[Dates From] - [To] [Summarise your coursework too if relevant for the job.] Degree Name and institution

[Dates From] - [To] [Summarise your coursework too if relevant for the job.]

WORK EXPERIENCE

Job Title, Company Name [Dates From]–[To] [Describe your responsibilities and achievements in terms of impact and results. Use examples but keep in short.] Job Title, Company Name [Dates From]–[To] [Describe your responsibilities and achievements in terms of impact and results. Use examples but keep in short.] Job Title, Company Name [Dates From]–[To] [Describe your responsibilities and achievements in terms of impact and results. Use examples but keep in short.]

SKILLS (EXPLAIN, DO NOT JUST LIST THEM)

REFERENCES

Skill #5

Skill #4

Skill #3

Skill #2

Skill #1

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FIRST NAME LAST NAME Address · Phone

Email · LinkedIn Profile · Twitter/Blog/Portfolio

PERSONAL PROFILE (Do not exceed 5 lines)

WORK EXPERIENCE DATES FROM – TO

JOB TITLE, COMPANY Describe your responsibilities and achievements in terms of impact and results. Use examples, but keep it short.

DATES FROM – TO

JOB TITLE, COMPANY Describe your responsibilities and achievements in terms of impact and results. Use examples, but keep it short.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS MONTH YEAR

DEGREE TITLE, SCHOOL It’s okay to brag about your GPA, awards, and honors. Feel free to summarize your coursework too.

MONTH YEAR

DEGREE TITLE, SCHOOL It’s okay to brag about your GPA, awards, and honors. Feel free to summarize your coursework too.

KEY SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES State what the skills you have enabled you to

achieve in your previous jobs.

ACTIVITIES Use this section to highlight your relevant passions, activities, and how you like to give back. It’s good to include Leadership and volunteer experiences here. Or show off important extras like publications, certifications, languages and more.

REFERENCES

Include all reference details including phone and email addresses.

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Annexure 4: Poor CV example

Source: https://www.cvplaza.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/example-of-a-bad-cv.png

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References

1. Carolyne Lunga. Facebook posts https://www.facebook.com/carolyne.lunga

2. Carolyne Lunga. Linked In posts https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyne-lunga-1bb28647/

3. CV Library https://www.cv-library.co.uk/career-advice/cv/how-to-write-a-cv-tips/ (Accessed 12 December 2019)

4. Total Jobs https://www.totaljobs.com/advice/successful-cv (Accessed 30 August 2019)

5. Prospects https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/cvs-and-cover-letters/how-to-write-a-cv (Accessed 30 August 2019)

6. Reed https://www.reed.co.uk/career-advice/how-to-write-a-cv/ (Accessed 25 June 2019)

7. Stand Out CV https://standout-cv.com/blogs/cv-writing-advice-blog/115702276-example-of-a-good-cv (Accessed 12 June 2019)

8. Monster https://www.monster.co.uk/career-advice/article/how-to-create-the-perfect-cv (Accessed 12 June 2019)

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NOTES

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