how to write a professional cv

Effective CV/Résumé Writing

For Job Search

By: Islam Haggag

Le_eng_islam@yahoo.com :E-mail

Writing CV/Résumé

A chance to write your future

Be grateful for it

Employment is a nature physician

Essential to human happiness

Every one, a success story

So……

let’s master the art of CV/Résumé writing

The art of branding and persuasion

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Important NOTE

There is not really a “right” way to do a CV.

There are some things that make the viewing easier,

make you look more professional and include things

reviewers want to see.

Your CV may be different than someone else.

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Curriculum Vitae

Curriculum Vitae (CV) means "course of life" in

Latin.

Note “vitae”(vee-tie or ve-ete) is the plural form and

“vita”(vee-tuh) is singular.

A CV is a written description of your work experience,

educational background and skills.

A CV is a typically a "living document" which will

reflect the developments in a professional's

career.

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Résumé

is a written compilation of your education, work

experience, credentials, and accomplishments and is

used to apply for jobs.

In Europe, the Middle East, Africa, or Asia, employers

may expect to receive a curriculum vitae.

In the United States, employers may expect to receive

a résumé but curriculum vitae is used primarily when

applying for academic, education, scientific or

research positions.

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Curriculum Vitae vs. Résumé

Résumé Curriculum Vitae

Short(1or 2 pages)

As long as it needs to be

(3 or 4 pages)

Length

All-inclusive summary of

skills, experiences, and

education

Area-specific listing of

education and academic

background

Content

get employment or

interview

Detail background and

qualifications

Purpose

Purposes of a CV

Marketing tool

Request for an interview

Your “big picture”

Your First impression

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CV Formats

Chronological

Functional

Chrono-functional /Combinational/Combined

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Chronological CV

Reverse chronological order

Widely used for corporate

sector

Mainly used by individuals

with Solid work history and

Few or no gaps between jobs

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Functional CV

Focuses on the skill set of an individual

Mainly used by individuals

-with significant gaps in

employment

-a mixed employment

background

-very short work history

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Chrono-Functional CV

Specific work experience

Specific skills and talents

Used mainly by individuals

-Freshly graduated from school

-With uninterrupted work history

-Applying for specific jobs

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General Set-Up Features

Font: Times New Roman (no several fonts to catch

their attention)

Regular paper (white) is fine

Font size: 11&12 point

No underlining

Single sided

Margins: 1”all around

Use bolding and Caps to have things stand out

Number pages

No border

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General Set-Up Features (cont…)

No graphics

Same font throughout (may vary sizing some)

Full name on every page

Don’t Include your picture (ok if it is required)

Avoid the use of “I” or “my”

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CV needs to be…

Clear: Well-organized and logical

Concise: Relevant and necessary

Complete: Includes everything you need

Consistent: Dont mix styles or fonts

Current: Up-to-date

Spell Check: Get grammar and punctuation

correct

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CV Format

Header

Contact Information

Objective

Education

Work Experience

Honors/Activities

Research Experience/Projects

Interests and Added Qualifications

References

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Sections on the CV

ALWAYS :

Contact Information

Education (always first on the CV)

Honors and Awards

Professional Experience

certifications

Extracurricular and Volunteer Experience

OPTIONAL: Objective

Professional Affiliations

Professional Activities

Research

Added Qualifications

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Contact Information

Full name

Address : Permanent

E-mail: Obtain email address that will not expire

Phone number(s)

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Education

Most current first (include your current educational

work)

Only include diploma distinctions

Get the schools 'names correct

Degrees/certifications are what’s important –not

the time spent

Thesis/Dissertation titles listed

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Honors and Awards

List with most recent first

Honors/Awards Title

Include all dates of your Honors/Awards

Go back to undergrad but not before only

academic and professional

Scholarships count

No descriptions

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Professional Experience

Includes anything you were paid to do or was

extensive, regular volunteer

Only include those items relevant to academic

Include all dates of your professional experience

List most recent first

No descriptions

If listing research, include the lab and

director/principle investigator

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Professional

Affiliations :

Only those current

Alphabetical listing

Include all dates of affiliation

Note any positions

Activities :

Past and present

Most current first

Only those very specific to academic/research and career

Should be school or university sponsored committees

Include role

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Interests and Added Qualifications

Interests :

Hobbies

Creativity counts

Be specific

Make sure they are real

Make sure they reflect you

Get something active

Get something group

Added Qualifications :

language fluency

Cultural knowledge

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Eng.islam awaad haggag

Embedded Software Engineer

Le_eng_islam@yahoo.com

Contact details