• CV & Resume

CV Writing Guide

CVs are used mainly in Europe. A CV stands for a Curriculum Vitae (Latin for “course of life”).

North Americans use CVs in international job search overseas.

A CV is similar to a resume in that it provides more details about one’s professional qualifications, experience and education. However, the term “Curriculum Vitae” most often called CV, typically carries a different meaning depending on whether one distributes the CV within the US, Canada or internationally (external to the US or Canada) or is seeking a faculty, academic, research, clinical or scientific position.

You can turn your updated resume into a CV by adding relevant detailed information and expanding the descriptions of your educational and professional experiences.

Here are some of the most popular CV types:

• chronological CV,
• reverse chronological order CV,
• combined CV,
• functional CV,
• keyword CV.

Each country has different recruitment practices, but most of them use CVs instead of resumes.

The focus of your CV should be to persuade the employer to invite you for an interview. Therefore, your CV is a marketing tool, which must be adapted to the market in which you intend to use it.

The standard CVs are between 2 and 8 pages long, however, a CV for a mid-career faculty candidate may be as long as 20 pages.

Stating of age, marital status, number of dependents, spouse’s occupation, health condition, passport number, ethnic background, religion, overseas living and working experience, security clearance and even including a recent colour photograph etc. may be required.

Your experience should be listed chronologically, starting with your first job and ending with your most recent position.

Among your accomplishments, you should list:

• all former positions held, detailing your duties, responsibilities, names, dates and locations,
• all memberships in professional organizations,
• titles and dates of speeches and presentations you have given,
• articles you published and publication credits,
• any awards, honours or recognition you have received and
• detailed education information.

It is advantageous not to submit job references with your application but mention that they are available on request only.

Often you may be required to include copies of all diplomas, certificates, transcripts and passports.

Carefully consider what to leave out of your international job application.

CVs are advantageous when:

• You are seeking an international position overseas,
• You are applying for a position in education or research.
• You are seeking a clinical or scientific position.
• You have extensive academic or professional credentials.

These pages contain CV writing guidelines that will improve the odds of your CV achieving the objective you want – obtaining job interviews.

Check the spelling and grammar of your CV. Use the word processor’s spell and grammar checker. If you are not confident of your ability to detect grammatical, punctuation and usage errors in English or other language or if you need help in organizing your CV, send it to a professional for assistance.

Remember that your CV must be targeted, scannable and generate hits. If you have difficulty with your CV writing instead of staring at a blank piece of paper, use CV samples and CV templates.

Most recruiters expect to receive a cover letter together with your CV. So, prepare a cover letter convincing the reader why you are the best candidate for the interview using cover letter writing tips.

Other CV Writing Guide Info

Now to finalize your CV Writing Guide topic, if your cover letter and CV are ready, you may email them through an international job search to job recruiters and job headhunters worldwide.

Start preparing for job interviews and check the job interview tips dos and don’ts. Also, find out why people are not hired for available jobs.

In addition, on job search, visas, work permits, cover letters, CV & resume, job interviews and dress codes pages, you will find very useful tips for many different countries.

Good luck with the CV writing guide!