résumé (also spelled resumé and resume)or

curriculum vitae (CV)

Your written communication style tells a lot about how you think:

If your writing is full of [small] mistakes, and lacking clarity and details, your overall thinking probably rests on many [small] wrong assumptions and your ideas are rather vague…

If the layout of your written communication is unstructured and confused, that is probably exactly how you put your ideas together, forming a big mess in an unorganized brain…

If your CV is sloppy, shallow, boring, and poorly designed, potential employers believe that you are a sloppy, shallow, boring, and confused person!

The time you spend on designing an excellent resume is one of the best investments you can make:

If the good resume helps you to get that better position, and that better position pays you 500-1000 RMB more than the other job that you might have gotten with a sloppy resume, then the difference is 6,000 to 12,000 RMB a year…

If you spend 10 hrs on the design of your CV, then your hourly earnings are 600-1200 RMB while you design the CV…

A résumé is a summary, typically limited to one or two pages of size A4 or Letter-size. It highlights only those experiences and credentials that the author considers most relevant to the desired position.

Don’t say resume – similar to continue…Say résumé = with a raising voice…

Words:

Chronological = time logical

CV = Curriculum Vitae = course of life

…a chronometer is a very

exact watch… (chrono meter

time measure)

Simple résumés:

Chronological résuméFunctional résumé

Combination résuméCurriculum vitae

Chronological résumé (most common)

starting from the most recent experience going chronologically backwards – in other words, the newest entries come first (also called reverse chronological)

Correct for most professions

Functional résumé (common)

Emphasizes specific professional capabilities and utilizes experience summaries

Correct for highly specialized professions

Combination résumé

(a mix of chronological and functional résumé)

less popular because information repeats itself

Curriculum vitae (..this is what we will talk about)

In the US & Canada includes a comprehensive listing of professional history, including:

every term of employment, academic credentials, publication, contribution or achievement. in some professions (e.g. graphic artist, journalist), it

may include examples of the person's work and can consist of many pages.

Nowadays

most writers

would put

the date

at the end,

below the

signature or

company

name…

The cover page informs the reader why you write:

Ladies and Gentlemen (standard) find out the names of potential recipients.

Refer to the advertised position and the source (e.g., newspaper name) of the job advertisement.

Create a connection between you and the company. Demonstrate your confidence and tell them why you are suitable for the open position. Feature → benefit connection.

Because you are looking for a personal interview tell the readers how they can reach you. Don’t use ifs’, maybes’ or could you would you, as this would signal lack of confidence.

Thank your reader in advance for his attention and speedy reaction to your job application.

Don’t forget to include your preferred mode of contact: phone number, e-mail address etc.

Use standard language style when:

You apply for a low level position. You apply for a position in a conservative industry. You expect average competition for the position. You are adequately qualified for the position.

Use creative language when:

You apply for a management - upper level position. You apply for a position in marketing or sales.

You expect strong competition for the position. You are sufficiently qualified for the position.

Use strong creative language if:

You expect very strong competition for the job. Your academic qualifications are weak. You have nothing to lose!!

The data page carries your personal information:

Unless you apply for a position where your physical characteristics are important, don’t mention your height or weight (unnecessary, funny) Don’t write down that you are healthy, it’s expected that you are…

If you have an English name include it! If you don’t have one, get one! When you state your birth date, include the place of birth:

e.g., 8.10.60 Chengdu (Sichuan) If you are not married, you are single (not unmarried -- sounds sad). When you write dates, use one of these formats: 09-99 or 09/99 or

Sep 99 etc. Writing September 1999 is unnecessary because only a few people wrongly assume you might mean 1899 or 2099.

In your education and employment history, include all relevant data because “blank” periods give rise to speculation.

The data page carries your personal information:

Your education background includes high school, college, university etc. If high school ended your education, include the primary school as filler.

Your employment history should include at least two positions from your past. If you are at the beginning of your employment/career, include anything you did for money (even part time) as fillers. Write about what you did in telegram style…

Your special skills, hobbies or other skills can help determining your suitability for the advertised job. Write about your language skills (Foreigners consider Mandarin and Cantonese as separate languages).

Mention your computer skills, and name the software that you can use. Don’t just talk about Windows, name the programs, and be specific. Fill, fill, and fill…

If you have some (for the position) useful hobbies, interests, or other skills, name them and include them!!!

The freestyle page is the heart of your application most other applicants won’t make the effort to deliver such text unrequested.

The freestyle format allows you to write and describe nearly anything that you want your reader to know.

With this text you separate yourself from the crowd in the most effective way and prepare yourself for the personal interview.

Demonstrate your creativity and communication skills, but limit each paragraph to five or six powerful sentences.

“Who am I? - What can I do? - What do I want?” is actually very difficult to answer, and the statements may sound funny if you are not careful. Therefore, after the headlines, begin your writing as follows:

I am aware that it is difficult to be objective about myself, but I want to try it because there are some things about me that you should know…

Who am I? Tell the story: What makes you → you… Histories; family; create connections… talk about your character. Don’t write about your honesty or diligence, that is standard - nobody expects you admitting how big of a liar you are (I’m just kidding)! Don’t say for instance ”I’m a good team player”. Say: ”Other people say about me that I am a good team player…” Other people say, my supervisor says, etc. has much more power than your own attempt to make yourself sound good. If you don’t know who you are, ask your mother, wife, husband or friend.

What can I do? Create the connection between yourself and the company. Explain how well you worked in the past and link this to the current job opening. Talk about your motivation…

What do I want? (ambitions) How do you imagine to progress in the new job? In what kind of environment do you work best? What do you expect from a good employer. What do you expect from a good supervisor. Where do you see yourself in the company structure in the future?

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Following your advertisement in “Shenzhen Daily”, dated October 32, 2222, I like to apply forthe position as “Something”. I have both, the educational background and the experience thatyou require in your advertisement.

In my position as XXX, I currently manage 20 people at ABC Company and was able to increaseDepartment production by 20% in the last twelve months. (← whatever is appropriate: Assalesperson you talk about sales, as manager tell what you manage e.g. how many people, astypist, write how good you type (e.g. how many words per minute) if no experience - talk aboutyour motivation during school studies) Other people say that I am a very reliable, detail minded team worker with leadership qualities.I am strongly motivated to join a successful corporation where I can prove my skills andcommitment, and develop my career.

Please see my enclosed resume for further details and more background information. I amavailable for a personal interview on short notice. Should you wish to contact me, please call198 2222 0405 or 888 8888. Thank you very much for your kind attention. I look forward tohearing from you soon.

With the best regards,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Following your advertisement in “Shenzhen Daily”, dated October 32, 2222, I like to apply forthe position as “Something”. I have both, the educational background and the experience thatyou require in your advertisement.

In my position as XXX, I currently manage 20 people at ABC Company and was able to increaseDepartment production by 20% in the last twelve months. (← whatever is appropriate: Assalesperson you talk about sales, as manager tell what you manage e.g. how many people, astypist, write how good you type (e.g. how many words per minute) if no experience - talk aboutyour motivation during school studies) Other people say that I am a very reliable, detail minded team worker with leadership qualities.I am strongly motivated to join a successful corporation where I can prove my skills andcommitment, and develop my career.

Please see my enclosed resume for further details and more background information. I amavailable for a personal interview on short notice. Should you wish to contact me, please call198 2222 0405 or 888 8888. Thank you very much for your kind attention. I look forward tohearing from you soon.

With the best regards,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Following your advertisement in “Shenzhen Daily”, dated October 32, 2222, I like to apply forthe position as “Something”. I have both, the educational background and the experience thatyou require in your advertisement.

In my position as XXX, I currently manage 20 people at ABC Company and was able to increaseDepartment production by 20% in the last twelve months. (← whatever is appropriate: Assalesperson you talk about sales, as manager tell what you manage e.g. how many people, astypist, write how good you type (e.g. how many words per minute) if no experience - talk aboutyour motivation during school studies) Other people say that I am a very reliable, detail minded team worker with leadership qualities.I am strongly motivated to join a successful corporation where I can prove my skills andcommitment, and develop my career.

Please see my enclosed resume for further details and more background information. I amavailable for a personal interview on short notice. Should you wish to contact me, please call198 2222 0405 or 888 8888. Thank you very much for your kind attention. I look forward tohearing from you soon.

With the best regards,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Following your advertisement in “Shenzhen Daily”, dated October 32, 2222, I like to apply forthe position as “Something”. I have both, the educational background and the experience thatyou require in your advertisement.

In my position as XXX, I currently manage 20 people at ABC Company and was able to increaseDepartment production by 20% in the last twelve months. (← whatever is appropriate: Assalesperson you talk about sales, as manager tell what you manage e.g. how many people, astypist, write how good you type (e.g. how many words per minute) if no experience - talk aboutyour motivation during school studies) Other people say that I am a very reliable, detail minded team worker with leadership qualities.I am strongly motivated to join a successful corporation where I can prove my skills andcommitment, and develop my career.

Please see my enclosed resume for further details and more background information. I amavailable for a personal interview on short notice. Should you wish to contact me, please call198 2222 0405 or 888 8888. Thank you very much for your kind attention. I look forward tohearing from you soon.

With the best regards,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Following your advertisement in “Shenzhen Daily”, dated October 32, 2222, I like to apply forthe position as “Something”. I have both, the educational background and the experience thatyou require in your advertisement.

In my position as XXX, I currently manage 20 people at ABC Company and was able to increaseDepartment production by 20% in the last twelve months. (← whatever is appropriate: Assalesperson you talk about sales, as manager tell what you manage e.g. how many people, astypist, write how good you type (e.g. how many words per minute) if no experience - talk aboutyour motivation during school studies) Other people say that I am a very reliable, detail minded team worker with leadership qualities.I am strongly motivated to join a successful corporation where I can prove my skills andcommitment, and develop my career.

Please see my enclosed resume for further details and more background information. I amavailable for a personal interview on short notice. Should you wish to contact me, please call198 2222 0405 or 888 8888. Thank you very much for your kind attention. I look forward tohearing from you soon.

With the best regards,

Resume

Personal Data

Name: Somebody English Name: Some BodyGender: Female Born: 1986 (Hunan)Status: Single Phone: 1234 5679E-mail: somebody@sina.com

ObjectiveI am seeking a challenging position, for example, manager’s assistant, executive secretary, or English translator. It is important forme that the position has true development potential, and offers areal opportunity to advance to the next level.

Resume

Personal Data

Name: Somebody English Name: Some BodyGender: Female Born: 1986 (Hunan)Status: Single Phone: 1234 5679E-mail: somebody@sina.com

ObjectiveI am seeking a challenging position, for example, manager’s assistant, executive secretary, or English translator. It is important forme that the position has true development potential, and offers areal opportunity to advance to the next level.

Resume

Personal Data

Name: Somebody English Name: Some BodyGender: Female Born: 1986 (Hunan)Status: Single Phone: 1234 5679E-mail: somebody@sina.com

ObjectiveI am seeking a challenging position, for example, manager’s assistant, executive secretary, or English translator. It is important forme that the position has true development potential, and offers areal opportunity to advance to the next level.

Education09/03-07/06 Hunan University of Science and Engineering Degree: Bachelor

TEM-8, CET-6, Major: English2006 won third-class Hunan College scholarship

00/09-03/06 No. 1 Middle School, Yongzhou City, Hunan

Employment History04/01 – 12/01 ABC Industrial Development Co. (Manufacturing group for office

and home furniture – 21 years company history) Sales Manager. I was responsible for marketing activities and communication with agents all over China. I was able to attract numerous new clients for the company. I also independently managed the blah blah blah.

10/99 – 03/99 XYZ Foam & Furniture Manufacturing Co. (Famous furniture manufacturing group in the Guangdong province. Sales Assistant. In this position I was responsible for the delivery arrangements and communication with company agents in the South China market. As I assisted the Sales Manager during important customer meetings on a regular basis I was also in responsible for the sales data collection from suppliers and sellers. (Wholesale and retail)

08/98 – 09/99 Some Ltd. Co. (Mid-size electrical power company / Taiwan)Manager Assistant. In this position I was responsible for the..

Other Skills

Languages: I speak and write English well, and of course, I am fluent in Chinese Mandarin and Cantonese.

Computer Skills: I am familiar with the MS-Office applications (Ms-Word,Excel, Access, Outlook, PowerPoint)

Hobbies: I like to play badminton, go swimming and traveling. I love reading books about nature, novels, and listen to classical music.

Who am I?What can I do?What Do I want?

I know it not easy to write objective about myself, nevertheless I want to try it because I think there are some points that you should know about me:

Who am I?I come from a small village in Jiangxi province. My father was a coal

miner who worked very hard to support me and my two sibling. My parent’s are my most important role-models and their care instilled a deep feeling of responsibility towards my family.

In 1994 I entered ABC University in Jiangxi province, where I enrolled in courses of business management.

Who am I?What can I do?What Do I want?

I know it not easy to write objectively about myself, but I want to tryit because I think there are some points that you should know aboutme:

Who am I?I come from a small village in Jiangxi province. My father was a coal

miner who worked very hard to support me and my two siblings. My parent’s are my most important role-models and their care instilled a deep feeling of responsibility towards them.

In 1994 I entered ABC University in Jiangxi province, where I enrolled in courses of business management.

What can I do?

Following four years of studies in the University I earned the B.A. degree in Business Management. To widen my scope and increase my opportunities, I went to Shenzhen in 2001 where I found my first job.

Acting as manager assistant I studied everything that was useful to fulfill the requirements for this position. My supervisor always commented on my diligence and ability to understand new complex ideas quickly. My colleagues judged me as a good team worker and praised my sense of responsibility and honesty.

What do I want?

After China joined the WTO and many international businesses set up shop in the country, I immediately felt that I wanted to be a part of this exciting development.

My education prepared me well for all upcoming challenges, and I believe that I can be a valuable asset for your company. I would like to grow with your company, and in due time I would expect to have the opportunity to prove my skills and abilities in a position with leadership potential.

My motivation is greatest in a caring environment where I can feel the strong support and intelligent guidance of a confident management team.

Don’t make yourself crazy! No matter what you do, remember that the so-called “standards” differ greatly

and therefore the term “standard” doesn’t really help... Here are a few links to useful websites. The sample resume can help in your effort

to design your personal resume:

http://www.eduers.com/resume/Free_Sample_Resume.htm

http://www.sampleresumes4free.com/

http://www.collegegrad.com/resume/freesampleresume.shtml

http://jobsearchtech.about.com/od/resumesandletters/tp/Resumes---Tips-and-Samples.htm

Don’t worry, if you don’t want to visit the websites above things will work out well regardless… Don’t make yourself crazy! You will get the job because of your skills and not only because of your resume/CV

Download the PDF of the PPT:

http://www.box.net/shared/47k0681z5c

Download other CV texts and examples:

http://www.box.net/shared/66z4boyiso

http://www.box.net/shared/rpipjjf8co