THE EMPLOYER'S POINT OF VIEW:
Most of my working life was spent with a medium sized British multi-national company.  Before I became a Christian I lived for the Company and it's products.  A small part of my responsibility was to employ graduates or sandwich students from university, many of  whom were to be our future executives (and some non graduates).  Mainly this involved visiting universities and interviewing students (known affectionately as the 'Milk Round').  How did I choose the individuals I wanted to interview?  This is the subject of this study.

We would receive very many C. Vs. which were initially sifted through for me, reducing them to a manageable number.  I would then sift through the selected ones finally selecting individuals whom I wanted to interview, this number would vary according the to vacancies we had that year.  It was their Curriculum Vitae which secured their interview.    What caused me to select certain individual's C.Vs. for interview and not others?
 

'CURRICULUM VITAE':
Curriculum Vitae means the course of one's life.  'Vitae' is pronounced in Britain as follows:  The 'i' as the 'e' in 'me'.  The 'ae' as the 'igh' in 'high'.  thus 'vetigh'.  C.V. for short but always head your C.V. 'Curriculum Vitae'.

CLEAR OBJECTIVES:
You have to have clear objectives to write an effective C.V.  We are told it's main purpose is to convey the basic facts about your education and career to date.  I believe it is naive to say this.  It's main purpose is to sell you to a prospective interviewer!  Formulation of your C.V. should be carried out with this basic objective in mind.

Your next objective is to decide what position you want.  Are you looking for a position as Sales Manager, Computer Programmer, Trainee Hotel Manager, Sales Representative, Restaurant Supervisor.  When you have decided you, formulate your C.V. to target your selected position.

PAPER:
A quick word about paper.  Do use good quality A4 paper.  The traditional way is to print your C.V. in black ink on white paper.  My own personal preference is to use a pale coloured paper such as a pale or sky blue or a cream.  If you can find paper or design it on your word processor to have a border around, all the better.  Remember those hundreds of C.Vs. to look through?  A striking one is refreshing and ensures at least a look at it.  I should say that others would disagree with this so make up your own mind.

CREATION OF INTEREST:
I saw so many C.Vs. which started out (after the personal details) with what primary school they had attended!  Do have some empathy for the poor person sifting through.  The fact that you went to Alderly Primary School from  September 1970 to July 1974 is not the earth shattering revelation the interviewer is looking for!  Forget your chronological tendencies.

Your opening statement needs to capture the interviewer's interest immediately.

After your personal details start with your 'CAREER SUMMARY'.  For example:

'A wealth of experience has been gained....'

'Outstanding achievements have been made in the the last five years selling washing machines...'

OBJECTIVE:
Next state your objective:  'To secure an appointment offering new challenges, responsibilities, progression and rewards of my career.'

CAREER HISTORY:
List your jobs in reverse order (current employment first).  Give start and finishing dates but if you have large or many gaps when you were unemployed just give the finishing or starting dates.  You will still have to account for time at the interview but at least you will have the opportunity to explain the gaps in your own words.

TRAINING:
Next list any training courses you have attended or 'on the job' training.

EDUCATION:
Now you can list your educational achievements, again reverse order (but don't bother with the primary school!).

ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS:
For example: Music, fell walking (demonstrates energy!), socialisng.  Mountain climbing or being a footballer can be counter productive; a prospective employer does not want to think you will be off work for weeks with a broken leg - beware!

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENTS:
However, if you climbed Mount Everest at the age of three then mention it!   Indeed at any age!  You may have obtained the Duke of Edinburgh Award in Britain or travelled to the USA and seen how they approach your trade.

SELF APPRAISAL:
Your chance to say something good about yourself.

FINAL PARAGRAPH:
Tell that you are looking for a good employer who will reward you for gaining them extra business or whatever is appropriate.
 

EXAMPLE C.V.

The example we will use is a 30 year old man who is answering an advertisement for a newspaper Field Sales Advertising Manager:
 
 

NAME: John Brown                                                        ADDRESS: The House
                                                                                                              Strawberry Street
                                                                                                              Bristol
                                                                                                              BS32 9ZS
DATE OF BIRTH:  11 June 1970                                   E-MAIL: johnbrown@enlightened.org.uk

AGE: 30 years.                                                                 TELEPHONE: Bristol 0900 900900

MARITAL STATUS:  Married                                       CHILDREN: One daughter

DRIVING LICENCE:  Full and clean                             NATIONALITY: British
 

CAREER SUMMARY:

Outstanding achievements have been made in the last seven years of selling advertising space progressing from telephone sales to Advertising Sales Executive.  All targets have been reached regularly and many features have been sold.  At present I manage six house accounts.  In addition to this I am responsible for the field training of sales representatives.  I feel I have the experience now to move up in my career and would be an asset to any company in field sales management.
 

OBJECTIVE:
To secure an appointment offering new challenges, responsibilities and rewards thus furthering my career.
 

CAREER TO DATE:
April 1997 to present:                A Lampwick and Company
                                                 Lampwick Drive
                                                 Bolchester
                                                 Salary: £25,000 pa
                                                 Advertising Sales Executive - responsible to Area Sales Manager and selling advertising space
                                                 to industry.  Leeds and Bradford Area.

                                                 Reason for wishing to leave is to further my career.

June 1993 to April 1997            Oxbridge Finance Company
                                                 Oxbridge
                                                 Salary on leaving: £11,900
                                                 Office telephone Sales Executive responsible to Sales Manager.

                                                 Reason for leaving was to progress into field representation.
 

EDUCATION:
September 1990 to May 1993  Drysdale University.
                                                B.A (Hon) Accounting.

May 1989 to August 1990        V.S.O Gilbert and Ellis Islands.
                                                 Main duties - Community Projects.

September 1981 to May 1989  St. Joseph's College, Chipping Wasset.
                                                'A' level Mathematics B
                                                             English C
                                                             Geography C
                                                             General Studies C
                                                'GCSE'  Mathematics B
                                                              English C
                                                              Geography A
                                                              Drama C
                                                              History C

ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS:
I am a keen fell walker and I enjoy socialising, music and guitar playing.

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENTS:
I walked from Liverpool to Grimsby for charity.

SELF APPRAISAL:
I have a high level of energy, tenacity and determination.  I am a self starter and enjoy working in a team and I am an effective planner.
 

I am looking for new challenges and responsibilities to which I can apply my enthusiasm, abilities and loyalty.
 

                                                                                       END