10 Tips: CV

So, here we go again!  We've looked at the covering letter….. now let's look in some detail at the CV for the English-speaking markets.

Of course, all the things I have already said about quality paper, good font, max-quality pring, abiding by conventions and setting on the page that is easy on the eye all apply…..  IF (and it may be a big IF) you get the reader to want to turn over to read your CV it MUST echo all you have said in your letter – it must give the evidence / proof that you are as good as you say you are and that you do fit the requirements as specified in the Job Description and Person Specification.

1. TWO PAGES.  Two FULL pages.  You have to be able to differentiate yourself from the competition for the post AND to show that you are the person that they are seeking as in the Person Specification.  This takes time, effort and far more than one page!!!  Never do 'a page and a bit': all that says is 'I'm sending you two sheets anyway, but I couldn't be bothered to find anything else to convince you I'm Mr / Miss Right.

2. Contact details must be precise.  This means:

• France (some people may think Mulhouse or Alsace is in Germany)…!
• Add the international telephone code: 0033 (0) 389 ………  do NOT use ++ because some people do not know that ++ = 00…..

3. Get an email address as close to your name as possible in an English (First name then Family Name) format.   Never and I mean NEVER use a 'fun' address: funnybunny69@hotmail.com will NOT work!  It says unprofessional and probably won't get past the company's email filter.

4. DO become a member of a recognised and appropriate professional association and USE 'letters after your name'.  A.N. Other, BA (hons), MSc, MCIM.  Professional association memberships do count for something and shows you have ceased to see yourself as merely a student.  The 'Halo Effect'. 

5. Don't include a personal photo.  US, UK etc Discrimination legislation (gender, age, handicap etc) is stronger than in France.  If they want a photo – they'll ask.

6. Transpose your qualifications and 'mentions' into English / American – they won't understand them otherwise.  Be careful with things like the CLES language levels… in the anglophone world A = the best and lower letters like C or D not very good.  CLES starts at A0: tyhe worst / lowest level.  You say you are CLES C2 and people think 'That's awful – I want a grade A student!'.

7. Don't use familiar shorthand: 'UHA' and 'ENSISA' just won't compute!

8. A list of subjects you have studied and exams you have passed does NOT tell the employer what you can actually DO for him/her – it just says what you read in general terms.  the skills you have developed in class and 'honed' (aiguisé) on placement will be far more useful.

9. Don't forget about the skills you have developed in your personal life and various jobs.  Don't just put: 'Super U Reception' or 'Basketball' or 'free climbing'… there is far more to tell here.  Often even in minor, part-time jobs we develop essential skills.  This especially includes anything you do which is creative or you have developed to a high level.

10. Keep looking at the Person Specification: are you echoing the things that they are saying they require?   Never lose sight of this: it is the love song you need to sing.

11. References: you must include them – it is a time-honoured tradition.  An employer might need to check that you really did get a Masters from UHA with Distinction, so you will need to give the name and contact details for your Programme Tutor.  Same goes for perhaps the most impressive/relevant job you have had so far – can you get a letter from your old 'boss' saying how good you were?

12. Check it ad infinitum. Ask anyone whose professional opinion you value for their opinion (but give them the Person Specification and Job Description!). Then, when it is as good as you can make it – find your native English speaker.

13. Find someone who can begin to rehearse you for interview…. if you wait until the interview invitation it may well be too late already!

Lots more to say on my site…… do look at ENSISA… CVs and Covering Letters….