CV or Resume Preparation – Essential Strategy

As a contract or permanent employee your CV OR Resume sells you to your prospective employer. There are lots of acceptable CV formats and technique of preparation. This article presents just a few of the essential rule for preparing a CV.

Layout and Appearance

Professional typesetting equipment produces the best presentation of your CV if you intend to send it to a potential employer by post. The quality of this method depends greatly upon the kind of printer you use with your computer. The quality of a CV which you type on your computer and produce on a laser printer should be brilliant. Be aware that the typed copy on your laser-printed CV can “crack” along the crease if you fold it. If that happens to your laser-printed CV, mail them to firms in an A4 sized envelope.

A third, and often less desirable method, is to use a typewriter. If you do use a typewriter, make sure that it is in excellent condition. Be sure to use a new ribbon.

Helpful Hints

• Take in only necessary individual information.
• Note “Under contract to” for any contract assignments you may have had.
• Contain total number of year’s experience.
• Write job descriptions in simple to follow terms, and as completely as space allows.
• If you want to use a improved quality paper, consider a bond paper with a rag content. Rag bond should not be used if you are printing copies of your CV on a photo copier, as the letters may break up in the folds.
• If you are transfer your CV to prospective employers electronically, e-mail it to a friend first to check that the layout remains as you intended it.

tips to help you cut down a lengthy CV

• remove all extra spaces between lines
• Use narrower margins.
• Keep job descriptions to 3-5 sentences.

Make it Scanner Friendly.

Many contract firms are utilizing scanners to input CVs into their computer databases. Here are a few recommendations that will make your CV “scanner ready”:

• Use white paper and black ink.
• Don’t underline words.
• Don’t use script or other fancy typefaces.
• Don’t hands write anything on your CV.
• Avoid boxes or unusual configurations.

Reminder: If you send out your CV by using a FAX card in your individual computer, make sure you see what you transmit. Try faxing to a friend or local fax number so you can physically see what everyone else sees!