Thank you all for reading my previous article, "Top tips for a successful interview". The article got a huge response with lots of positive comments. It is the feedback of readers that enables a writer to further improve his writing skills.
This article is in continuation to my previous article, "Top tips for a successful interview".
Most of us think that writing a CV is a very difficult task, because we have to express ourselves in just 2-3 pages. But in reality the most difficult task is of recruiters. They have to select the best CVs out of huge bundles. And imagine this task, when most of the CVs contain the same qualifications, same experiences and the same cut-copy-paste materials. How would they know that which candidate can make up to the expectations of the organization and that which candidate should be shortlisted. So, all I want to write is that your CV should be different from the rest. But how? Let’s check it in details through the following points:
1. CV cannot guarantee a job but it can guarantee an interview call. And your motive should be to get an interview call.
2. There is no set format to write a CV. It all depends upon your creativity. You can choose any format which you feel the best and most creative.
3. CV should be in 2 pages. Although it can go in 3 pages as well, but an idle CV is always in 2 pages.
4. A reader wants maximum information in minimum reading time. To achieve this principal, every sentence should be based on “KISS” theory.
KISS - KEEP IT SHORT & SIMPLE
5. CV should not be in black & white colour. Rather use black & blue combinations. Use blue for writing sub headings and black for details.
6. Do not use CA logo in CV.
7. Photographs should not be used in CV.
8. Always add a border to CV. It looks nice. But don't be too decorative.
9. I suggest writing the CV in PDF format rather than in word.
10. Use bullets where ever required.
11. Check twice for any spelling or grammar mistakes. Check them manually rather than relying on spelling check functions. Because at times these auto functions may fail to check an error. For e.g., words 'FROM' and ‘FORM’.
12. Do not state any false facts or figures about yourselves/your qualification. Because interviewer might question you on that point.
13. Do not mention anything about your past failures or about your health problems.
14. There should be no mention of current/expected salary.
15. CV should not contain any references.
16. Use simple language and avoid any cut-copy-paste materials. It is preferred that you use your own words but creatively.
17. Instead of using general words, use specific words.
18. No cover letter should be sent along with CV. Just attach the CV and write about the attachment in the mail box. Do not forget to use sentences like, "looking forward to have an opportunity of meeting you in person for more detailed discussion".
19. No declaration and signatures should be there at the end.
20. Do not mention about the ITT training and GMCS attended.
21. Don't write in your CV that you have leadership qualities. Because it sounds funny that a fresher has got leadership qualities. Because leadership qualities develop by time and through practical industry exposures.
22. But you can say during interviews that, during article ship you had shown leadership qualities.
23. Do not forget to include the most relevant skills and information for the job description.
24. An idle CV should contain 8 headings:
• Career objectives
• Professional experience
• Educational qualification
• Extra curriculum
• Communication skills
• Mobility
• Personal details
• Hobbies
25. At the top of the page the heading should be, "CURICULAM VIATE", below which on any corner, write your name, followed below by degrees and contact number. On the opposite corner write your e-mail id.
• Career objective
It is the area where more than 90% of the candidates use cut-copy-paste material. Here, do not use too complicated language. Be smart & write such objective which matches with the job profile. Your career objective can be different for different job profiles.
For e.g., for audit job, objective can be:
"To work in a challenging professional environment & thereby utilize my talents, auditing skills & analytical abilities".
While, a general objective for a general kind of job can be:
"To secure a responsible career opportunity, where I can fully utilize my training, technical & management skills, while making a significant contribution to the success of my organization.
• Professional experience
- Here you can write about your article ship training, the name of the firm. But if you had taken transfer then do not write about both firms rather write the name of any one firm.
- Write about your practical work experiences, the type of work handled, number of bank audits and company audits conducted, etc.
- I don't prefer to write the names of clients due to confidentiality issues. Because I feel that giving the names of clients of a CA firm to a third person is against professional ethics.
• Educational qualification
- Write about your educational qualifications in descending order, i.e. first about CA, then post graduation, then graduation and so on.
- Write in column wise manner. Draw four columns each for degree, institution, year of passing & % marks which is optional.
- Do not write that you had done graduation/post graduation from correspondence.
• Extra curriculum
- Write about your achievements, both - personal and professional.
- Write about ranks/exemptions in any exams, any research conducted by you, any competition or awards won etc.
• Communication Skills
-The details can be in such manner -
Can read, write, speak - Hindi, English
Can speak - Punjabi, Bengali
• Mobility
Write the names of places where you are ready to be posted. You can write like-
- Prepared to work at any metro town. Or
- Ready to go anywhere in India but Delhi is always welcomed.
• Personal details
- Write your details like date of birth, marital status, father's occupation, etc.
• Hobbies
- Write your hobbies which can be non related to profession as well, like-
- Listening music, watching history channel.
- But be true in whatever you are writing because you can be questioned on it by the interviewer.
I hope that through this article, I was able to enhance your knowledge, which will prove beneficial in grabbing a good position in the corporate.
You can check sample formats of CV on Google. I am not mentioning the names of any specific websites because I did not find any website with 100% appropriate contents. What I suggest to do is, check 10-12 good CVs and then pick the best parts out of them and create your own CV.
Any doubts or clarifications are welcomed, but please do not forward me your CVs as I will not be able to consider them (extremely sorry for that).
Waiting for your valuable feedbacks.
ALL THE BEST!
Contact me at: pankaj007_alwar@yahoo.in
CAclubindia
