OUTSIDE RESUME
Resume Format
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Always have a .doc (Microsoft Word) format and .txt format of your resume with you. When you are filling your resume in websites, you need the text format and when you are sending resume through mail, it's better to send the .doc format.
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Few companies may ask specifically for .rtf format. In such case, you don't have an option anyway.
Resume Size
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Try to see to it that the .doc resume file size is less than 100 KB.
Resume File Name
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Don't give some junk names as file name for the resume. If you keep use junk names, there is every possibility that your mail will travel to bulk/trash folder of recruiter. Your resume's file name should ideally denote your name, experience, technology, years of experience and company name. Keep some valid name for your resume.
Example: Resume_Placement_J2EE_3 Years_INFOSYS.doc
Example: Resume_Placement_FRESHER_B Tech_Computers.doc
Exclusive Mail IDs
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Use only one (or maximum of 2) mail Ids exclusively for the purpose of recruitments. Do NOT use those mail Ids for any other purpose (Especially you should not use it for subscribing to any GROUP mails or FORWARD mails).
Standard Mail Service Providers
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You must be careful about the service providers in which you open a mail account. Don't use the mail Ids/accounts from non-standard service providers. If they disconnect services suddenly, your mail ID fails and you need to resend resumes with new mail Id to all the companies you have already applied. So, always try to create mail Ids with standard service providers like Yahoo, Rediff, Google etc.
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Choose both mail Ids from different mail service providers. In case, if one service provider experiences technical problems, you can use the other service provider.
Mail Space
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Always see to it that at least 50 % of your mailbox size is free. Delete unnecessary mails periodically.
Send from same mail ID
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While sending the resume, preferably send it from the mail ID you have mentioned in your resume.
Always keep a copy
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While sending the resume, always keep a CC/BCC to your mail ID (or at least keep your sent items ON) so that you will know whether the resume is attached properly and/or whether it's traveling to bulk mail folder.
Subject Line
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If the company mentions that a specific 'Job Code' has to be written in Subject Line, write that. If nothing specific, then give a proper subject line for your mail.
Example: Resume - J2EE - 3 Years Experience - INFOSYS - Bangalore
Covering Letter
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Always try to include a "short" covering letter just containing your experience, current location, contact details (address & phone number) current company name, technology you are working in. Don't write too long covering letters. No HR will spend time on reading your long letters.
Short is Sweet
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Don't make the resume too long. Keep it short & sweet. It should be less than 3 pages (and up to a maximum of 4). The HR will hardly have 1 minute to glance at your resume. He won't have the time to read story-like resume. So, be precise, clear and straight to the point.
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Better use bullets for mentioning important points.
Check BULK mail folder
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Check the BULK mail folder before blindly emptying it. I have seen people who lost call letters because of it.
INSIDE RESUME
Header & Footer !
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Always have a header & footer in your resume.
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Header can contain a simple heading of your resume.
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Footer should preferably contain the page number.
First Page is the best page to convey all about you !
Typically the HR expects all the important details in the first page. He receives hundreds of resumes and hardly gets 1 minute to look at your resume and so he won't bother to search your resume for the required details, if the details are not found in his first glance at your resume.
The first page of resume must contain the following things:
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Personal Details : Full Name, Date of Birth, Passport Number.
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Current Contact Details : Full Contact Address, Contact Phone Numbers, Mail ID & Alternate Mail ID.
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Work Experience Summary : All the companies you have worked so far, Company Address, Website, Dates of Duration in each Company. Don't assume that everyone knows about your company. (You can highlight if your current company has any good quality levels like CMM/CMMI)
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Job Responsibilities : Your job profile in your past companies. For example, you should highlight that you are working as 'Module Leader leading a team of 6 people' in your current company.
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Skill Set Summary : Highlight all the technologies you know well. Don't include any technologies you have not worked on.
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Certifications : Include any relevant certifications you have. That gives you an edge over others.
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Education Details Summary : Your Post Graduation, Graduation, Intermediate, 10 th details, Aggregate Percentage, Year of Pass out (Most important).
Contact Details at the top, not at bottom !
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Contact Details should be at the top of resume, not at the bottom.
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Never include the contact details in Header or Footer. They won't be visible properly.
Always provide an alternate mail ID !
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Always provide an 'Alternate Mail Id' also (in case your original mail Id fails, it will be useful).
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Do NOT give more than 2 mail Ids in resume. The recruiters as well as you will get confused which mail Id to send/receive call letters.
No one can save you if your Mail ID fails !
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Check the mail Ids you provided in CV by sending a trial mail. (I have seen people giving Yahoo.com instead of Yahoo.co.in. If the mail Id fails when HR sends you call letter, no one can save you in this world. No HR will resend the call letter if your mail ID fails.)
Never use official mail ID ! (for Experienced people)
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NEVER use OFFICIAL MAIL ID or OFFICIAL PHONE NUMBER in the resume. You must always provide the Personal mail Id & Personal Phone/Mobile Number. You can give the OFFICIAL MAIL ID for reference at the end the resume.
Spell Check !
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Always perform a spell check and grammar check on the resume. You don't deserve a job if you can't write your resume without mistakes.
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There is nothing wrong in getting your resume reviewed by someone else. They might catch the mistakes that your eyes can never detect.
Educational details are important !
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People (especially experienced people) think that they don't need to give the educational details. But they are important. If not all details, at least give the highest qualification, college/university name and aggregate percentage. (Some HR people simply delete the resumes without educational details.)
Reverse Chronological order !
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Your latest job profile is more important than your first one. So, always write the details in reverse chronological order (start with the latest) especially when you are listing previous company details or educational qualification details.
Avoid Irrelevant Details !
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Write straight to the point and only the details relevant to the job. (You don't need to include your family tree or how many children you have or what your wife does.)
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Do not write stereotype sentences like 'I am sincere, intelligent, hardworking' etc. That's childish. Who in this world is not hardworking by the way?
Use simple Language !
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Use simple English. You don't need to write complex jargon in the resume.
Write the Crux of Projects !
Don't write all about your projects. That will make the resume very lengthy. Write only the crux of the information. Following details would be enough.
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Project Name, Team Size, Client Name, Duration of Project.
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Short description of project (Not more than 5 to 6 lines).
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Your role in project (This is very important).
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Technologies used in project.
You should convey where you want to work !
Always include the following clearly in resume:
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'Current Location' (mandatory). I have seen resumes in which there is no clue of where they are working currently. How can they expect a call letter ?
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'Desired Location' (if you have a preference). Anyway freshers typically will not have a choice for the desired location. They better not to include it.
Experience !
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Project Training done in your final academic year does not come under professional work experience. You can mention it, but not under 'Work Experience' section.
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Always highlight your onsite (customer interaction experience) in your resume. That gives you an edge over others.
Salary Details
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Better not to include current & expected compensation details in resume. You can convey them when you are asked to provide them during interview.
You are not submitting the application for matrimonial !
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Do not include any photos in the resume unless specifically asked by the company.
You are not writing a love letter !
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Avoid unwanted graphics: Either in resume or the covering letter, avoid jazzy graphic images, emoticons or multiple colors.
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Avoid jazzy fonts: Preferably use some professional font (Arial or Times or Verdana) and use the same across. Use same font size across the resume (except for headings). Don't write each line in a different font and size.
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However, you can use some decent shades (preferably gray color), to highlight important information. That makes the resume to look good when a printout is taken.
Take a print and see !
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Take a printout of your resume and see. If you do not like it in the first look, the same will be with recruiters. (I know HR people who called candidates based on attractive resume.) So, revise it again
Friday, January 15, 2010
8 Things To Make An Impressive CV
In the article 12 things your CV should not have we discussed the common errors applicants make when drafting their CVs or resumes. Following the article we received a large number of queries from readers, asking what information should they include in their CV, to make it impressive.
This article is an attempt to help the readers design an impressive and user-friendly CV. If you ensure that you include this information in your CV, the chances of it meeting the interviewer's expectations are increased.
~ Begin with name and contact details
Make this information available at the beginning of your CV. This should include your postal address, phone number (preferably mobile number) and e-mail address (only one). If a company wants to call you for an interview or needs to communicate with you for any further information, they will look out for this information. If it is buried somewhere inside the CV it will not only put them off but also reduce their chances of contacting you.
~ Write an appealing career summary
This is your chance to bring forward relevant strengths and skills to the recruiter. Everything in your CV should support your Career Summary. If there's anything that doesn't support your Career Summary, you should reconsider listing it.
You should write your Career Summary around your skills, attitude, knowledge and experience. There are two schools of thought on writing the career statement.
Some people think that it should be a short 30-40 word paragraph while others give it liberty to be covered in 4-5 bulleted points. Whatever you decide on, ensure that everything relevant that you want to sell to the prospective employer is covered here. At the same time, it should not become nauseating.
~ Focus on your work experience, responsibilities and achievements
If you are an experienced candidate, your work experience is your main asset. Include the details of the relevant jobs you have done in the past. You should present your work experience in a chronologically descending order ie the last company first.
This should include the name of the company, your designation and tenure followed by your job responsibilities and achievements. It is always better to present this information in bulleted format rather than a clumsy paragraph. Mention some figures when you talk about your achievements.
For example:
Worked as Business Development Manager for XYZ Company from June 2000 to January 2004.
Job responsibilities:
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Setting up 7 franchisees across 4 countries
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Maximising the business from existing customers to the tune of $ 200,000
~ Your next asset is your educational qualification
Educational qualifications play an important role in the recruitment of freshers. If you are a fresh candidate, focus your CV on your qualifications and achievements during your student life.
~ Write about your out-of-work achievements, interests and hobbies
These reflect your personality and skills. Present the relevant achievements in the order of priority ie the most important achievement first. Similarly, present your interests as well. Write about the achievements that display a facet of your personality. For example, if you have been the president of your college, do mention it. It shows your leadership skills.
~ Write short sentences with more impactful words
Lengthy CVs put the recruiter off. Keep the sentences short and use words that demonstrate your hold of the situation like managed, arranged, supervised etc.
~ Formal font faces
A font like Verdana-10 should be good for the content while the Name at the top can be written in Verdana-12, with a bold font face.
~ Use the same tense through out the CV.
Changing the tense in every second line leaves the reader confused and annoyed.
Now, put together both the articles ie 12 things your CV should not have and 8 things to make an impressive CV. Draft and re-draft your CV keeping the points mentioned, till you are satisfied that you have presented the facts in the most impressive and convincing way.
This article is an attempt to help the readers design an impressive and user-friendly CV. If you ensure that you include this information in your CV, the chances of it meeting the interviewer's expectations are increased.
~ Begin with name and contact details
Make this information available at the beginning of your CV. This should include your postal address, phone number (preferably mobile number) and e-mail address (only one). If a company wants to call you for an interview or needs to communicate with you for any further information, they will look out for this information. If it is buried somewhere inside the CV it will not only put them off but also reduce their chances of contacting you.
~ Write an appealing career summary
This is your chance to bring forward relevant strengths and skills to the recruiter. Everything in your CV should support your Career Summary. If there's anything that doesn't support your Career Summary, you should reconsider listing it.
You should write your Career Summary around your skills, attitude, knowledge and experience. There are two schools of thought on writing the career statement.
Some people think that it should be a short 30-40 word paragraph while others give it liberty to be covered in 4-5 bulleted points. Whatever you decide on, ensure that everything relevant that you want to sell to the prospective employer is covered here. At the same time, it should not become nauseating.
~ Focus on your work experience, responsibilities and achievements
If you are an experienced candidate, your work experience is your main asset. Include the details of the relevant jobs you have done in the past. You should present your work experience in a chronologically descending order ie the last company first.
This should include the name of the company, your designation and tenure followed by your job responsibilities and achievements. It is always better to present this information in bulleted format rather than a clumsy paragraph. Mention some figures when you talk about your achievements.
For example:
Worked as Business Development Manager for XYZ Company from June 2000 to January 2004.
Job responsibilities:
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Setting up 7 franchisees across 4 countries
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Maximising the business from existing customers to the tune of $ 200,000
~ Your next asset is your educational qualification
Educational qualifications play an important role in the recruitment of freshers. If you are a fresh candidate, focus your CV on your qualifications and achievements during your student life.
~ Write about your out-of-work achievements, interests and hobbies
These reflect your personality and skills. Present the relevant achievements in the order of priority ie the most important achievement first. Similarly, present your interests as well. Write about the achievements that display a facet of your personality. For example, if you have been the president of your college, do mention it. It shows your leadership skills.
~ Write short sentences with more impactful words
Lengthy CVs put the recruiter off. Keep the sentences short and use words that demonstrate your hold of the situation like managed, arranged, supervised etc.
~ Formal font faces
A font like Verdana-10 should be good for the content while the Name at the top can be written in Verdana-12, with a bold font face.
~ Use the same tense through out the CV.
Changing the tense in every second line leaves the reader confused and annoyed.
Now, put together both the articles ie 12 things your CV should not have and 8 things to make an impressive CV. Draft and re-draft your CV keeping the points mentioned, till you are satisfied that you have presented the facts in the most impressive and convincing way.
TYPES OF RESUMES
Once you have identified your skills and listed your experiences, resume writing is really just form writing. You simply slot the information into the appropriate format. There are many different types of resumes available for you to choose from. To create the appropriate format for you, it is necessary to decide which format presents your information in the most favourable manner. The chronological resume and the combination resume are the types most commonly used by students.
Lesson To A Good Resume
There are no standard rules to writing a resume, but there are certain perceptions about a resume that will catch the eye of a recruiter or simply fall under the larger pool of general/common resumes. If you want to highlight your resume, make sure broad parameters of good resume writing are kept in mind. The presentation of your resume does not necessarily get you the job but will definitely get you a fair chance of being noticed. We have outlined a few steps that can be followed easily by you in synchrony by way of the acronym LLESSONS. Below are a few pointers as to how your resume can be underlined, they may not be exhaustive or mandatory, it is only suggestive.
Eligibility for the simple reason of being easily readable. Make sure the font you use is easily legible, normally you do not go below 11 and greater than 12 points, try Arial or Times which is the most widely used. ead on well. When a recruiter opens a CV on a computer screen, it is natural that only the first half of the resume is seen. So ensure that the most important details pertaining to the job requirement is visible on that half. Facts about your job description, technologies mastered, your achievements, etc. should come to the fore.
Emphasise on your achievements more than responsibilities.
Achievements are a manifestation of your responsibilities and gives more thrust to your candidature. Make sure that your accomplishments are substantiated with ‘numbers’. Numbers give accurate standing to what you have achieved and gives the recruiter hard evidence of your capabilities.
Short & Sweet steals the show. There are no guidelines to the number of pages a CV must contain, but it is necessary not to overload the same. A recruiter should not find reading your CV tedious, relevant information is what will get you the job and not unnecessary records. A short resume is bound to gather more attention as it reduces the task of searching through the document for the pertinent skills required for the job in hand.
Also, ensure that your statements are not expanded for the sake of the language, but rather short and crisp that conveys the message accurately and effectively. Objectives must be short and precise. Let it contain your specific goals and don’t get carried away by trying to flower it with adjectives. Make sure the objective supports the rest of your resume.
Nitty-grittys can spell the essence of a resume, so pay attention to detail. Do not use pronouns in the resume. Usage of ‘I’ or ‘me’ does not hold good as it is a document and you are not present in person to read out the resume. Personal data, hobbies (unless it is related to the job), photographs, etc. can be avoided as it does not add value to the resume. The most common of resume formats is the ‘reverse chronological’ type which gives the recruiter an easy look into the employment history of the candidate. You can follow this format with confidence.
Second opinions do matter. Make sure your resume is reviewed by another person before it is sent to the company. There are high possibilities that the individual can spot errors which we have become blind to due to viewing the document several times. Always get a second opinion.
Eligibility for the simple reason of being easily readable. Make sure the font you use is easily legible, normally you do not go below 11 and greater than 12 points, try Arial or Times which is the most widely used. ead on well. When a recruiter opens a CV on a computer screen, it is natural that only the first half of the resume is seen. So ensure that the most important details pertaining to the job requirement is visible on that half. Facts about your job description, technologies mastered, your achievements, etc. should come to the fore.
Emphasise on your achievements more than responsibilities.
Achievements are a manifestation of your responsibilities and gives more thrust to your candidature. Make sure that your accomplishments are substantiated with ‘numbers’. Numbers give accurate standing to what you have achieved and gives the recruiter hard evidence of your capabilities.
Short & Sweet steals the show. There are no guidelines to the number of pages a CV must contain, but it is necessary not to overload the same. A recruiter should not find reading your CV tedious, relevant information is what will get you the job and not unnecessary records. A short resume is bound to gather more attention as it reduces the task of searching through the document for the pertinent skills required for the job in hand.
Also, ensure that your statements are not expanded for the sake of the language, but rather short and crisp that conveys the message accurately and effectively. Objectives must be short and precise. Let it contain your specific goals and don’t get carried away by trying to flower it with adjectives. Make sure the objective supports the rest of your resume.
Nitty-grittys can spell the essence of a resume, so pay attention to detail. Do not use pronouns in the resume. Usage of ‘I’ or ‘me’ does not hold good as it is a document and you are not present in person to read out the resume. Personal data, hobbies (unless it is related to the job), photographs, etc. can be avoided as it does not add value to the resume. The most common of resume formats is the ‘reverse chronological’ type which gives the recruiter an easy look into the employment history of the candidate. You can follow this format with confidence.
Second opinions do matter. Make sure your resume is reviewed by another person before it is sent to the company. There are high possibilities that the individual can spot errors which we have become blind to due to viewing the document several times. Always get a second opinion.
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