CV Writing -

The fundamentals

CV Writing

• The fundamentals of CV writing

– FORM – how it looks on the page– CONTENT – the actual words, sentences– FOCUS – your goal with the CV

• The ‘eight-second rule’

CV Writing

• FORM– The relationship between form and content– Newspaper article or book?– What hits the eye?– What do you want to hit the eye?– Font, layout, size, white spaces– Use of CV ‘shorthand’

• Incomplete sentences, action verbs, no “I’, “a” “the” etc– Standard yet different

CV Writing

• CONTENT

– The “I” focus– It’s all about the interview ….– Achievements vs. responsibilities– Progression vs. repetition– Summaries and objectives

CV Writing - content

• The “I” focus– Selling me, not the company, function, or industry– But … adjective/adverb alert, waffle, jargon

• Strong negotiation skills• Successfully completed …

– “I am fantastic” statements• A motivated self-starter with excellent communication skills”• Gained experience in …”

– There is a seller, but also a buyer• What I can do for you …

CV Writing - content

• It’s all about the interview– Visualise the interview– Visualise the questions

• General – ‘tell me something about yourself’• Behavioral, competency• Functional-specific

– Leave a record of this answer – Think answers, not questions

• First write the result, then the background

CV Writing - content

• Achievements vs. responsibilities– What is an achievement?

• Things that made the company money• Things that saved the company money• Things that saved the company time

– As far as possible, achievements should relate to the focus of the CV– First write the result, then the background– Quantify, quantify, quantify– How many of each?

• First two – responsibilities (maximum)• The rest – achievements

CV Writing - content

• Summary and/or objective?– Summary should include:

• Core experience/function/profession, but think of post-MBA target

• Years of experience, including international• Track record, highlighting achievements which are given

substance in the CV which you’d like to emphasise• Something subjective, but relating to the post-MBA target

– Summary is especially useful for career switchers• Progression/repetition

– Present result of past action

CV Writing - content• Some examples of summaries:

– Manager/Project Manager with ten years’ experience with global asset management companies. Proven track record delivering on asset management integrations, product and regulatory changes. Strong departmental management skills including change and risk management

– Innovative and entrepreneurial project manager. Experience at managing international teams in challenging environments. Worked in mobile multimedia systems in Sweden before relocating to Germany to take up project manager position in automotive industry

– Consultant with board experience in the financial services sector, project management and financial controlling. Strong communications and analytical skills combined with a passion for challenging projects and new technologies

– A strategic communications professional with over ten years of international experience in politics, campaigning and lobbying

– HR professional with ten years’ senior management experience, leading strategic initiatives and directing operational functions

CV Writing• FOCUS

– Toward the function– Toward the sector– Toward the reader– Toward the job– Toward the reader/employer/interviewer

• Think context• Never assume the reader knows/understands

• What if you don’t know?• Accentuate the positive• Think results ….

CV Writing - focus

• What do recruiters look for in a CV?– General characteristics:

• Managerial/leadership behavior• Personal and corporate values• Promotability• Career development• Status recognition• Consistency• Content validity• The magic word - FIT

CV Writing - focus

• Questions recruiters ask and which you should answer– Can you solve a problem?– Are you bright?– Can you lead people?– Can you deliver?– Are you a team player?– What do you know about us and our business?

CV Writing - focus

• Skills set for key functions:– Consulting

• Problem-solver, analytical, communicator, stress-resistant– Financial services

• Quantitative, analytical, decisive, team and project-oriented– Marketing

• Creative, analytical, passionate, persuasive– General management

• Influencer, implementer, negotiator, detailed

Finally ….

• Breakout groups– Purpose

• Look at real examples of CVs (your own!) and evaluate in the light of the core principles

– Process• Breakout groups of ten• Group evaluations of CVs• Own evaluation and feedback• Get to know each other and have a bit of fun!