So how's that CV of yours doing?

For some.... or many, writing A CV or resume can be a intimidating job. or maybe it's just me.

but in any case I have discovered that many resumes that we write has a tiny problem.
Problem being that our resumes are like flyer's passed out and be thrown away because it does not suite the taste of the audience.

Modifying your resume or CV to suite each particular company's taste can actually improve your odds to actually get that million dollar rupiah job that you wanted. the keyword is to fine tune.

so here's a list of easy steps of how I do it.
disclaimer: following these steps does not guarantee you to get that job you want. theverveoflife shall not be held responsible should any occurrence of intentional or unintentional failure in your life cause by the act of following this article of suggestion. but should any of you succeed, don't forget me.


step1: spitting it out
If you don't know how to start writing your resume and Ms word does not have the template for you. Start by spilling it all out on a piece of paper. put it to categories. education activities, skills. put everything that you think is worthy to put out.
now that you have your draft, you can start organizing them. into a proper resume.

you can find samples of resumes just by goggling for them in the image section.
the format comes in many different forms and there's no right way to write it. you are to choose which is the most systematic way to organize your information. be free and modify the format if you like. put everything inside and don't give a bother about how long it is.

We will clean it up later.

Note: if everything you have written down about yourself fits into a small sticky 2' x2' note paper. then you can ignore this blog post and go waste your time on something else.

step2: Scope in the target
Now you need to find the companies that you are looking for. list them down and compile their addresses, website, position available, state if they are currently advertising position in one document.
know what they are looking for and what they require

step3: Google it
Many would skip this. it's not very important but it does help measure up the odds. you are too find some information about the company. know it's background and try to know what the company really need. you may just find the reason why the company would want to hire someone like you.
(to be frank I didn't do this part)

step4: pick and choose
Now that you have the information from step 2 and 3, you can start fine tuning your resume for each company. certain companies wants your expected salary to be stated. ( I personally put negotiable).
you need to know that you are to try to fit the appropriate information onto one piece of paper. because once the employer reaches page 3 they are most probably not interested anymore. and you have 2 pages already. one for your cover letter and the other for your CV. unless you find it necessary, try to keep it to ONE(1) page.

now writing cover letters has the art in it. you are to write it briefly with active sentence, one thing I discovered is this. don't write this.
" I would like to apply for the "work my butt off executive" as advertised in the star classifieds Monday 29 February 2004"
they are not at all interested to know how you know that they need recruitment. it's better to let them believe that you are psychic.

Google up "cover letter" you'll find huge amount of info there.
step5: Oh yes wait a minute Mr postman!
last check.
example: if it's a design company, put all your experiences and achievements in design as a priority. If it's a sales company do it otherwise. it's basically as simple as that.
god knows why I wrote such a long post revolving around this simple issue.

I myself didn't send any portfolio. in fact I stupidly went to my first interview without one. but sending portfolio through email is impossible. I would make my own site or blog and put them there. Or I would only bring it to the interview.

you can print out your portfolio. but it would be the best to have them on a CD. according to my lecturer.



learned it the hard way.... very hard way.
Jaziel