12 Top Tips to Write a Successful CV in English

Writing a CV in your own language can be a difficult task. Writing it in another language will be ten times harder. A different language, recruitment culture and regulations will have to be taken into account before sending your cherished CV.

If you are applying for a job with an English speaking employer, you will need to follow certain rules.

1- Find a Native English speaker. Even if you are fluent in English, always ask someone who is a native English speaker to check your CV. Grammar and spelling are of paramount importance in an English CV so ask for help.

2- American or UK English? As an example, if you apply for a job with a British company, make sure that you are using British English.

3- Make your CV short and concise. English CVs should be no longer than one to two pages.

4- Unless it is requested by the employer, do not include any photo in your CV. Photos are fine if you register your resume on a job board, but they should not be sent with your CV when you apply for a job.

5- In the UK and the US in particular, some personal details should not be mentioned. Date of Birth should be removed due to age discrimination laws. However, do include your email address, postal address, telephone and mobile phone numbers.

6- Avoid writing CV or Curriculum Vitae at the top of your CV. It would be stating the obvious.

7- Write a summary describing your profile and objectives in a few sentences at the top of your CV. Make sure that you include some of the words stated in the job advert.

8- Use action words such as "implemented", "created", "organised" throughout your CV. Mention facts, figures and any result that you have achieved. Make them relevant to the job you apply for.

9- They are different CV formats that you can use; chronological or functional CV are the most common ones. The key is that, whatever format you use, your CV should be easy and quick to read. Whether you describe your work experience chronologically or around your main skills, you should also always match it with what the employer is asking for: what skills, what behavioural traits, what work experience.

10- Always try to find your qualifications' equivalent in your employers' country and state them on your CV. If you cannot find equivalent qualifications, try to explain them.

11- Include your level of English and of any other languages that you possess. Add any English tests that you have taken.

12- Finally, always send your CV with a cover letter!

Your CV is one of your main selling tools. As in any sales situation, you must meet your customer's needs and give them what they want. Ensuring that your CV will meet local recruitment habits is important. Following the tips stated above will help you. However, you must also remember that adapting your CV (and your cover letter) to the job advert is crucial. It will differentiate you from the pack and make it easier for the recruiter to invite you to an interview. Good luck!

Ivone is the Business Development Manager at EnglishPortugueseJobs.com, a job board specialised in English/Portuguese Bilingual job seekers.

Read more ...

Resume Writing: English Is Becoming a Foreign Language

Resume writing in today's common English can keep you from getting job interviews. Why? The English of everyday communication is making formal English a foreign language. Here is a simple sentence most people know the meaning of: I thought the Bennifer would be BFF OMG LOL BRB. While today the news in that sentence is ancient, just fifteen years ago no one would know what I was talking about. In fact I would not even be able to explain the meaning of that sentence to people fifteen years ago by simply using today's terminology. I could say Bennifer is a super couple but super couples did not exist then. I would explain that BRB is a texting abbreviation for be right back but would then need to explain what texting is.

There are tens of thousands of abbreviations, words and phrases that have been invented and coined in the last fifteen years. As big as they are now it's hard to imagine that Facebook, Twitter, Googling, texting, YouTube, and many other common everyday words did not exist as late as the year 2000.

Because of the technology of texting, posting, twittering, chatting, and email the English language is experiencing what might be the greatest metamorphosis in history. Standard English grammar has taken a barrage of communication short cut artillery and is in critical condition. All the new words, abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols now in daily use are making English a foreign language compared to the curriculum that has been taught in formal English education for decades.

There is a widening gap between resume writing English and everyday communication English. While all these grammar shortcuts and new words are perfectly comprehensible in many widespread forms of communication such as texting they are frowned upon in a resume and cover letter. Employers expect to see certain standards of English language and grammar on a resume. While this type of language is still being taught in school, when a person's education is not applicable to daily use, the subject is more difficult to learn and the information often not retained.

Determining what words, grammar rules, and even punctuation an employer might find objectionable can be difficult for most of today's job hunters. Attempting to create resumes and cover letters that adhere to the standards of English grammar rules and writing can be nearly impossible for many candidates. Numerous job hunters are discovering that the world of texting and online communications has made formal English a foreign language.

Face facts: HR personnel and employers are judgmental because they can be and also because they want intelligent candidates. You need to make sure your writing is grammatically correct on all your documents and in your email communications. Do not take a casual approach to any type of correspondence with employers. While I receive many impeccable resumes, they are often introduced by informal and error prone emails. Sending your resume that you painstakingly created or paid for and introducing it with a sub-par email is like sending an expensive present wrapped in a used garbage bag. When you do this, employers do not want to open your package.

Job seekers have several choices that can help them produce acceptable documents. There is an abundance of resume writing and cover letter resources available, however determining what is and is not acceptable is a challenge. The Resume Dictionary can help your resume writing achieve acceptable standards of English and help you create an exceptional resume. While you are there get a copy of the free book The 197 Words You Should NOT Use on Your Resume. Copyright 2010 by Phil Baker "The Hire Authority" Freely distribute this article but please leave article, author name, copyright info, and links intact.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Phil_Baker

Read more ...