GLOBAL RESUMES & COVER LETTERS

HUNGARY

Resume Guidelines

Personal Information (Include):

1. A photo
2. Marital status
3. Date of Birth
4. Nationality

Education:

1. State if you have studied abroad
2. New graduates: Explain majors during upper secondary school/high school; provide graduation date
3. Keep education brief if you have several years of professional experience
4. Include work experience during college or university years in this section, not professional experience

Professional Experience:

1. Experience held before 1989 should be listed, but NOT described
2. Use bulleted format for job duties

Special Skills (include):

1. Language Skills (Levels of Expertise)
2. Computer Skills
3. Whether you possess a driver’s license

Military Experience: Indicate if you have successfully completed this requirement

Format: Always begin with education, then work experience in a reverse-chronological format

Length: No longer than two pages

Cover Letter Guidelines

1. What job is being applied for, and how you found out about it (newspaper ad, etc.)
2. Skills, experience, abilities that will be valuable to targeted company
3. State if you are currently unemployed

Length: No more than one page

GLOBAL RESUMES & COVER LETTERS

HONG KONG

Resume Guidelines

Personal Information (Include):

1. Age
2. Marital Status
3. # of Children

Education:

1. Secondary/high school information is optional
2. Specify whether attendance at a university/college was part-time or distance learning
3. Specify any relevant extracurricular activities

Professional Affiliations:

These are important to mention if you’re in the following careers:

- Finance
- Accounting
- Securities & Banking
- Engineering

Professional Experience:

1. Include company descriptors
2. List job duties in bulleted format
3. Early employment can be summarized
4. Explain reason why you want to leave current position
5. Explain all gaps in employment
6. Specify whether employment was part time or contract
7. Explain why a permanent position wasn’t held

Special Skills (include):

1. Language Skills
2. Computer Skills

Format: CHRONOLOGICAL, not reverse chronological. NEVER use a functional format.

Length: Tied to years of experience. 10+ years of experience – three pages or less; less than 10 years of experience – no more than two pages

Cover Letter Guidelines

1. Always use hiring manager’s name in salutation
2. Position you’re applying for
3. Skills, experience, abilities that will be valuable to targeted company

Length and Format: No more than one page; A4 page setup rather than 8 ½” x 11”

GLOBAL RESUMES & COVER LETTERS

GERMANY

Resume Guidelines

Personal Information (Include):

1. Date of Birth
2. Marital Status
3. # of Children

Education:

1. List junior and secondary schools chronologically, detailing years spent at each
2. Include major course of study at secondary schools and degree attained (i.e. A-levels, high school diploma, leaving certificate, etc.)
3. Include any information about study at foreign universities
4. Extracurricular activities in student/business organizations

Professional Experience:

1. Indicate whether work was part or full time
2. Include company descriptors detailing company size, # of employees, etc.

Special Skills (include):

1. Language Skills (Levels of Expertise)
2. Computer Skills

Military Experience:

1. Specialized training or achievements should be included

Interest/Hobbies (include): So that employer knows what you do outside of work

Format: CHRONOLOGICAL, not reverse chronological. Personal details first, then educational background, then employment history, then extracurricular activities (in that order)

Length: Determined by level of experience. Two pages is generally used for new graduates or young professionals

Cover Letter Guidelines

1. Position you’re applying for and why
2. Skills, experience, abilities that will be valuable to targeted company
3. Geographical preferences
4. State if you are currently unemployed

Length: No more than one page

GLOBAL RESUMES & COVER LETTERS

FRANCE

Resume Guidelines

Personal Information (optional, but generally included):

1. Date of birth or age
2. Marital status
3. Number of children

Education:

1. In addition to college/university education, list only that you received high school diploma – no specifics about high school are necessary, not even name of high school.
2. List final ranking in school.

Special Skills (include):

1. Language Skills (and level of expertise that includes one of the following):
- basic
- school knowledge
- reading knowledge
- writing knowledge
- fluent
-professional use

2. Computer Skills – specify languages and tools – do NOT be vague

Professional Experience:

1. List data in this order:

Dates of employment, name of firm, activity sector (company descriptor, including sales and number of employees), location, your job title, then accomplishments and duties.

Professional Affiliations: Do NOT include unless you are currently a member and play a significant role in the organization.

Military Experience (optional)

Format: Chronological or reverse chronological, but reverse chronological is preferred. Begin with personal information, then professional experience, followed by education, then everything else (in that order)

Length: No longer than two pages

Cover Letter Guidelines

1. Position you’re applying for and why
2. Skills, experience, abilities that will be valuable to targeted company

Length: No more than one page

GLOBAL RESUMES & COVER LETTERS

FINLAND

Resume Guidelines

Education:

1. List focus areas during upper secondary school/senior high, plus year of graduation.
2. Mention if you studied abroad.

Professional Experience:

1. Indicate whether work was part-time or full-time.
2. Explain all gaps in employment history.

Special Skills (include):

1. Language Skills
2. Computer Skills

Military Experience:

1. Compulsory in Finland, so include dates and all relevant details.

Interest/Hobbies (include): So that employer knows what you do outside of work

Format: Reverse chronological – begin with Education, then move on to Professional Experience and everything else after that (in that order)

Length: No longer than two pages

Cover Letter Guidelines

1. Position you’re applying for and why
2. Skills, experience, abilities that will be valuable to targeted company
3. Current position, responsibilities, organizational level, reporting structure, achievements, employer’s name
4. Ability to relocate, travel for business, future professional goals
5. If you are currently unemployed

Length and Format: No more than one page; A4 page setup rather than 8 ½” x 11”

GLOBAL RESUMES & COVER LETTERS

DENMARK

Resume Guidelines

Personal Information (include):

1. Whether married or not
2. Number of children
3. Your Age and Date of Birth
4. Nationality

Education:

1. Include all educational data in a chronological (not reverse chronological) format.
2. Provide names/titles and results of exams you have taken

Professional Experience:

1. Explain all gaps in experience since leaving secondary school

Interest/Hobbies (include): So that employer knows what you do outside of work

Format: Chronological (not reverse chronological). Do not boast or exaggerate.

Length: Limit it to one A4 page; and certainly no longer than two pages
(A4 is found on page setup – it’s a 210x297mm rather than 8 ½” x 11”)

Cover Letter Guidelines

Content (include):

1. Position you’re applying for and why 2. Skills, experience, abilities that will be valuable to targeted company

GLOBAL RESUMES & COVER LETTERS

CZECH REPUBLIC

Resume Guidelines

Personal Information (include):

1. Year of Birth
2. Citizenship
3. Marital Status
4. Number of Children

Education:

1. Include focus areas during high school referencing specific courses and programs. State graduation year and whether study was abroad.
2. Use a chronological (rather than a reverse chronological) order for this section.

Special Skills (include):

1. Language Skills (fluency in Czech and English is generally required)
2. Computer Skills
3. Sales Skills

Professional Experience:

1. Indicate whether work was part-time or full-time.
2. Explain all gaps in employment history.

Interest/Hobbies (optional)

Format:

Begin with Objective, then go to Personal Information, Education, Professional Experience, followed by everything else (in that order)

Length: No longer than two pages

Cover Letter Guidelines

Content (include):

1. What job is being applied for, and how you found out about it (newspaper ad, etc.)
2. Skills, experience, abilities that will be valuable to targeted company
3. Date of availability and ability to relocate
4. DO NOT mention salary expectations

Length and Format: No more than one page; A4 page setup rather than 8 ½” x 11”

GLOBAL RESUMES & COVER LETTERS

CHINA

Resume Guidelines

Personal Information (include):

1. Sex
2. Marital Status
3. Date of Birth
4. Nationality
5. Permanent Address

Career Objective:

Describe what you want to achieve and position sought

Education:

1. List high school education with reference to specific courses and programs
2. Include extracurricular activities that are relevant to job search

Special Skills (include):

1. Language Skills
2. Computer Skills

Professional Experience:

1. Indicate whether work was part-time or full-time.
2. Explain all gaps in employment history.
3. If part-time work was chosen, indicate why you did NOT work full-time.

Personal Interests (include):

1. Sports activities
2. Other interests

Format:

Begin with Objective, go to Education, then list Professional Experience and everything else (in that order)

Length: Two pages; no longer than three pages

Cover Letter Guidelines

Content (include):

1. Position you’re applying for and why
2. Skills, experience, abilities that will be valuable to targeted company
3. Date started with present company and professional/personal development with it
4. Marital status, ability to relocate, availability to travel for business.
5. Future professional goals

Length and Format: No more than one page; A4 page setup rather than 8 ½” x 11”

GLOBAL RESUMES & COVER LETTERS

CANADA

Resume Guidelines

Education (include):

1. Extracurricular activities

Professional Experience:

1. Employment dates should be years only (i.e. 1999-2003) not months/years
2. Explain gaps in employment
3. Explain reason for part-time rather than full-time employment

Special Skills (include):

1. Language Skills
2. Computer Skills

Volunteer Experience:

1. Include if there is any

Hobbies/Interests:

1. Include to give employer idea of what you do outside of work

Format:

Qualifications Summary (or Profile), Professional Experience, Education, Professional
Affiliations, Hobbies/Interests (in that order)

Length: No longer than three pages

Cover Letter Guidelines

Content (include):

1. Position you’re applying for and why
2. Skills, experience, abilities that will be valuable to targeted company
3. If you are unemployed at present

Length: No more than one page

GLOBAL RESUMES & COVER LETTERS

BRAZIL

Resume Guidelines

Personal Information (include):

1. Age
2. Marital Status

Special Skills (include):

1. Language Skills, with level of knowledge (fluent, good, basic)
2. Computer Skills

Format:

List Personal Information, Education, and Professional Experience (in that order)

Length: No longer than two pages

Cover Letter Guidelines

Content (include):

1. Position you’re applying for and why
2. Education, foreign language proficiency, field of professional experience
3. Foreign travel (if any)
4. Future professional goals
5. If you are unemployed at present
6. Ability to relocate and to travel for business

Length and Format: No more than one page; A4 page setup rather than 8 ½” x 11”

GLOBAL RESUMES & COVER LETTERS

BELGIUM

Resume Guidelines

Personal Information (include):

1. Nationality
2. Civil (Marital) Status
3. Date of Birth
4. Personal Life (brief), including what sports you like, cultural activities, hobbies, and so on

Education (include):

1. Beginning and graduate dates
2. List of other studies even if you did not complete program or receive a degree
3. Extracurricular activities, including participation in student/youth movements, weekend work, travel, etc.

Professional Experience (include):

1. Company Descriptors (indicating scope of company activities)

Special Skills (include):

1. Language Skills, with level of knowledge (fluent, good, basic)
2. Computer Skills

Military Experience (include):

1. Date and duration of service
2. Where you were based
3. What duties were performed

Format:

List Personal Information, Education, and Professional Experience (in that order)
Length: Usually no longer than three pages

Cover Letter Guidelines

Content (include):

1. What job is being applied for, and how you found out about it (newspaper ad, etc.)
2. Why this particular company interests you
3. Skills, experience, abilities that will be valuable to targeted company

Length: No more than one page

GLOBAL RESUMES & COVER LETTERS

BALTIC STATES: LITHUANIA, LATVIA, AND ESTONIA

Resume Guidelines

Personal Information (include):
1. Date of Birth (optional)
2. Marital Status
3. Photograph (headshot) in upper right-hand corner of resume

Professional Experience:
1. Explain any gaps in employment

Special Skills (include):
1. Language skills, especially fluency (written and spoken) in Lithuanian, Latvian, and/or Estonian, as well as English and Russian

Personal Interests/Hobbies (include):
1. Some to give employer an idea of what you do outside of work

Format:
List your name, education and training, work experience, and special skills (in that order)

Length:
One page is preferable; two pages is maximum length (only for those with extensive experience and accomplishments)


Cover Letter Guidelines

Content (include):
1. What job is being applied for
2. Why you are interested in this particular position
3. Skills, experience, abilities that will be valuable to targeted company

Length and Format:
Brief, no more than 3-4 paragraphs. A4 page setup rather than 8 ½” x 11”

For additional resources including marketing magazines, marketing jobs, and more, visit ResumeEdge.com. 

GLOBAL RESUMES & COVER LETTERS

AUSTRIA

Resume Guidelines

Personal Information (include):

1. Date of Birth
2. Religion (optional)
3. Information Concerning Your Parents (ask client what this means)
4. Nationality
5. Marital Status
6. Number of Children

Education (include):

1. Details of junior, secondary schools, and colleges/universities attended in a chronological listing, plus years spent at each
2. Periods of study at foreign universities
3. Extracurricular activities, including Participation in Organizations, Special Events, or Specific Activities

Professional Experience:

1. Indicate whether work was an internship, part-time or full time.

Special Skills (include):

1. Language Skills, with level of knowledge (fluent, good, basic)
2. Computer Skills

Military Experience (include):

1. Beginning and ending dates
2. If there is continuing involvement

Format:

1. Data should be presented in chronological format, in these sections:
A. Personal details: full name, title, address, phone numbers, date of birth, nationality, marital status, # of children
B. Education: primary, secondary, high school, college/university
C. Work experience: Full time as well as part time
D. Other skills: Languages and computer
E. Interests and hobbies

Length: A maximum of two pages


Cover Letter Guidelines

Content (include):

1. Hiring Manager’s Name in Salutation (if not stated in ad, call company to determine name)
2. Why you are applying
3. What is special about your application and why you have chosen this particular company
4. A request to interview

Length: No more than one page

GLOBAL RESUMES & COVER LETTERS

AUSTRALIA

Resume Guidelines

Personal Information (include):

1. Date of Birth (optional)
2. Language Proficiencies (other than English)
3. Visa or Resident Status
4. Personal Interests (Hobbies and Sports Activities) – not mandatory to include, but common
5. Marital Status - not mandatory to include, but common

Education

1. Including Years of Graduation is not mandatory, but voluntary

Format

List Personal Information first, then Education, Professional Affiliations (if relevant), Additional
Education, Specialized Training, then Professional Experience

Length: No more than five pages with lots of space and wide margins


Cover Letter Guidelines

Content (include):

1. What job is being applied for
2. Why you are interested in this particular position
3. Skills, experience, abilities that will be valuable to targeted company
4. Education, job title, years of experience in positions comparable to one being applied for
5. If currently unemployed, this must be stated

Length: No more than one page

GLOBAL RESUMES AND COVER LETTERS

Resumes and cover letters being distributed outside of the U.S. have specific requirements as to content, structure, and length. In the following weeks specific requirements for specific countries will be posted in this blog.

If the country in question requests personal information on the resume, this should come before qualification summaries or profiles.

The below guidelines are in addition to what is normally included in a resume or cover letter. If a certain area is not addressed for a specific country (eg: Education) that means the area does not differ from US resumes.

In referring to A4 page set up, this is the paper size used in some foreign countries. To use this for your document, simply go to page set up, paper size, and choose A4, rather than 8 ½” x 11”

ARGENTINA

Resume Guidelines

Personal Information (include):

1. Date of Birth
2. Place of Birth
3. Marital Status (“Civil” status refers to marital status)
4. Personal Identification Number
5. Number of Children and Their Ages (optional)
Never include religious or political beliefs, views, or interests

Objective:

1. If not applying for a specific position, an Objective is used.

Education (include):

1. GPA (10 points is the maximum)
2. Student internships or diploma work (thesis), including length of time and subject
3. Indicate if client has studied abroad
4. High School Education, including name of school, year graduated, and if study was abroad

Professional Experience (include):

1. Company Descriptors (indicating scope of company activities)
2. Gaps in Employment must be explained

Special Skills:

1. List Proficiency in Foreign Languages
2. List Specific Computer Skills
Length: No longer than three pages

Cover Letter Guidelines

Content (include):

1. What job is being applied for
2. Education, job title, years of experience in positions comparable to one being applied for
3. Key achievements
4. Why you are interested in this particular position
5. Skills, experience, abilities that will be valuable to targeted company
6. Salary requirements (if required by job posting)
7. Ability to relocate and travel for business
8. That you are interested in scheduling an interview

Additional Resources
ResumeEdge
SEO Expert | SEO Specialist

WHAT A RESUME IS NOT

by Darlene Zambruski, ResumeEdge.com Managing Editor, CPRW, SME

1. An exhaustive listing of everything you’ve done: Hiring managers aren’t interested in details from the beginning of your academic/professional career. Rule of thumb is to go back 10 years for IT professionals and no more than 15-20 years for those in other industries. Hiring managers won’t read excessive data, and by including too may years of experience you may be excluding yourself form consideration due to age discrimination.

2. A document that will guarantee an interview or job offer: A resume is the beginning of your job search. It cannot guarantee the end result. No matter how beautifully a resume is written, if your background doesn’t closely match the requirements of the job you will not be called in for an interview.

3. A document that will please your spouse, parents, colleagues, etc: The only audience that matters are hiring managers. Relatives, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances may be well-meaning, but they are not experts in resume writing.

4. A document that reflects your personality: Unless you’re in the performing arts or involved in a creative industry, a resume should be professional – period. Use of designer fonts and unusual formats will get you noticed and quickly dismissed as not being serious enough for the position.

5. A document that tells the hiring manager what you want: Hiring managers don’t care what you want – they’re interested in what you can bring to their companies in terms of increasing profits or reducing costs.

6. A document that is perfect in every way: Organization of data and showcasing accomplishments are what matter most in a resume. Worrying about cosmetic changes (eg: should there be one or two spaces after periods?) or tweaking the content (eg: should it be oversaw or managed?) till the end of time won’t garner an interview. In fact, endless revisions will cause you to miss out on important opportunities. Hiring managers aren’t looking for perfection in a resume, they are looking for hard skills that you can bring to their companies.

POWER VERB LIST

by Darlene Zambruski, ResumeEdge.com Managing Editor, CPRW, SME

To make your resume stand out from the countless others competing for a hiring manager’s attention, you must write interesting job descriptions. The best way to start is to begin all bulleted sentences with action verbs.

While the following list is not exhaustive, it does provide variety to spice up your text and increase readability. One caution though – the verbs you choose should reflect the industry you’re targeting and your career level.

For example: The CEO of a Fortune 500 company might write: “Expedited company sale by enlisting buyers from the British and Asian divisions.” On the other hand, a fast-food manager wouldn’t write that he “Expedited client orders by overhauling operations.” Rather, he would write: “Provided fast customer service by opening up new register lines, when needed."

A
abated
abbreviated
abolished
abridged
absolved
absorbed
accelerated
accentuated
accommodated
accomplished
accounted for
accrued
accumulated
achieved
acquired
acted
adapted
adopted
added
addressed
adjusted
administered
advanced
advertised
advised
advocated
affirmed
aided
alerted
aligned
allayed
alleviated
allocated
allotted
altered
amassed
amended
analyzed
answered
anticipated
appeased
applied
appointed
appraised
approached
appropriated
approved
arbitrated
aroused
arranged
articulated
ascertained
aspired
assembled
assessed
assigned
assimilated
assisted
assured
attained
attended
audited
augmented
authored
authorized
automated
averted
avoided
awarded

B
balanced
began
benchmarked
benefited
bid
billed
blended
blocked
bolstered
boosted
bought
branded
bridged
broadened
brought
budgeted
built

C
calculated
calibrated
capitalized
captured
cared for
carried
carved
categorized
catalogued
caught
cautioned
cemented
certified
chaired
challenged
championed
changed
charged
charted
checked
chose
chronicled
circulated
circumvented
cited
clarified
classified
cleaned
cleared
closed
coached
coded
collaborated
collated
collected
combined
commanded
commended
commenced
commissioned
communicated
compared
compiled
complemented
completed
complied
composed
compounded
computed
conceived
concentrated
conceptualized
condensed
conducted
conferred
configured
confirmed
confronted
connected
conserved
considered
consolidated
constructed
consulted
consummated
contacted
continued
contracted
contributed
controlled
converted
conveyed
convinced
cooperated
coordinated
copied
corrected
corresponded
counseled
created
critiqued
cultivated
customized
cut

D
dealt
debated
debugged
decided
decoded
decreased
dedicated
defined
delegated
delineated
delivered
demonstrated
deployed
derived
described
designated
designed
detailed
detected
determined
developed
devised
diagnosed
differentiated
diffused
directed
disbursed
discovered
discussed
dispatched
dispensed
displayed
disposed
disproved
dissected
disseminated
dissolved
distinguished
distributed
diversified
diverted
divested
divided
documented
doubled
drafted
dramatized
drew up
drove

E
earned
eased
economized
edited
educated
effected
elaborated
elected
elevated
elicited
eliminated
embraced
emphasized
empowered
enabled
encouraged
ended
enforced
engaged
engineered
enhanced
enlisted
enriched
enrolled
ensured
entered
entertained
enticed
equipped
established
estimated
evaluated
examined
exceeded
executed
exercised
exhibited
expanded
expedited
experienced
experimented
explained
explored
expressed
extended
extracted

F
fabricated
facilitated
factored
familiarized
fashioned
fielded
filed
filled
finalized
financed
fine tuned
finished
fixed
focused
followed
forecasted
forged
formalized
formed
formulated
fortified
forwarded
fostered
fought
found
founded
framed
fulfilled
functioned as
funded
furnished
furthered

G
gained
garnered
gathered
gauged
gave
generated
governed
graduated
grasped
greeted
grew
grouped
guaranteed
guided

H
halted
halved
handled
headed
heightened
held
helped
hired
honed
hosted
hypnotized
hypothesized

I
identified
ignited
illustrated
implemented
imported
improved
improvised
incited
included
incorporated
increased
indicated
individualized
indoctrinated
induced
influenced
informed
infused
initiated
innovated
inspected
inspired
installed
instilled
instituted
instructed
insured
integrated
intensified
interacted
interceded
interpreted
intervened
interviewed
invented
inventoried
invested
investigated
invigorated
invited
involved
isolated
issued
itemized

J
joined
judged
justified

L
launched
learned
lectured
led
lessened
leveraged
licensed
lifted
limited
linked
liquidated
listened
litigated
loaded
located
logged

M
made
maintained
managed
mandated
maneuvered
manipulated
manufactured
mapped
marked
marketed
mastered
maximized
measured
mediated
memorized
mentored
merged
merited
met
minimized
mobilized
modeled
moderated
modified
molded
monitored
monopolized
motivated
mounted
moved
multiplied

N
named
narrated
navigated
negotiated
netted
neutralized
nominated
normalized
notified
nurtured

O
observed
obtained
offered
officiated
offset
opened
operated
optimized
orchestrated
ordered
organized
oriented
originated
outdistanced
outlined
outperformed
overcame
overhauled
oversaw
owned

P
paced
packaged
packed
pared
participated
partnered
passed
penetrated
perceived
perfected
performed
persuaded
photographed
piloted
pinpointed
pioneered
placed
planned
played
praised
predicted
prepared
prescribed
presented
preserved
presided
prevailed
prevented
printed
prioritized
processed
procured
produced
profiled
programmed
progressed
projected
promoted
proofread
proposed
protected
proved
provided
pruned
publicized
purchased
pursued

Q
quadrupled
qualified
quantified
queried
questioned
quoted

R
raised
rallied
ranked
rated
reached
read
realigned
realized
rearranged
reasoned
rebuilt
received
recognized
recommended
reconciled
reconstructed
recorded
recovered
recruited
rectified
redesigned
redirected
reduced
re-engineered
referred
refocused
registered
regulated
rehabilitated
reinforced
reiterated
related
released
relied
relieved
remained
remodeled
rendered
renegotiated
renewed
reorganized
repaired
replaced
replied
replicated
reported
represented
reproduced
requested
researched
reserved
resolved
responded
restored
restructured
retained
retooled
retrieved
returned
revamped
reversed
reviewed
revised
revitalized
revolutionized
rewarded
risked
rotated
routed

S
safeguarded
salvaged
saved
scanned
scheduled
screened
sculptured
searched
secured
seized
selected
sent
separated
sequenced
served
serviced
set up
settled
shaped
shared
sharpened
shipped
shortened
showed
signed
simplified
simulated
sketched
slashed
smoothed
solicited
sold
solidified
solved
sorted
sourced
sparked
spearheaded
specialized
specified
speculated
spent
spoke
sponsored
spurred
staffed
standardized
started
steered
stimulated
streamlined
strengthened
stretched
structured
studied
submitted
succeeded
suggested
summarized
supervised
supplied
supported
surpassed
surveyed
swayed
swept
symbolized
synthesized
systemized

T
tabulated
tackled
talked
tallied
targeted
tasted
taught
teamed
tempered
tended
terminated
tested
testified
tied
took
topped
totaled
traced
tracked
trained
transcribed
transformed
transitioned
translated
transmitted
traveled
treated
trimmed
tripled
troubleshot
turned
tutored
typed

U
uncovered
underlined
underscored
undertook
underwrote
unearthed
unified
united
updated
upgraded
upheld
urged
used
utilized

V
validated
valued
vaulted
verbalized
verified
viewed
visualized
voiced
volunteered

W
weathered
weighed
widened
withstood
won
worked
wove
wrote

Y
yielded

COVER LETTERS – YOUR FIRST CHANCE TO MAKE A LASTING IMPRESSION

by Darlene Zambruski, ResumeEdge.com Managing Editor, CPRW, SME

Hiring managers routinely receive hundreds, perhaps thousands, of responses from applicants for any given job. To avoid having your resume sink in this sea of paper, it’s imperative to stand out from the crowd and make a good first impression.

A compelling cover letter that employs five essential rules will convince a hiring manager to read an applicant’s resume.

Rule #1 -- Appearance

The resume and cover letter must be aesthetically pleasing and consistent in appearance. This would include using the same heading and fonts in each with both produced on a high-quality printer and paper (if documents are being “snail” mailed). Save the designer stationery and stylish fonts for writing letters to friends. A professional employment package never sets a casual tone.

Rule #2 – Target Your Audience

Always use the hiring manager’s name in the salutation. If the contact’s name isn’t provided in the job posting, a bit of Internet research or a well-structured phone call can produce results. In using the contact’s name, the cover letter is personalized, while also showing the applicant’s interest in the company. Remember, a letter addressed to ‘Dear Sir or Madam’ or worse, ‘To Whom It May Concern,’ has the same impact as one addressed to ‘Dear Occupant.’

Rule #3 – A Strong Opening

A dynamic opening paragraph is essential to capture and retain a hiring manager’s interest. Pared down to essentials, for a quick and effective read, it should include reference to the position being sought and a brief statement as to why the applicant feels qualified to fill the job. Emphasis should always be placed on what the applicant can do for the targeted company, while also providing quantifiable proof as to why this is true.

Rule #4 – Showcasing Accomplishments

Include a bulleted area to emphasize accomplishments pertinent to the targeted job. Not only does this break up large blocks of text that a hiring manager might find daunting, it also draws the eye towards the most important part of the cover letter – what the applicant has to offer.

Rule #5 – A Proactive Closing

Always initiate further action at the end of a cover letter. A proactive closing indicates that the applicant will call within a few days to see if a time might be scheduled to meet. To wait for a hiring manager to take that first step is to risk losing the opportunity to another candidate.

AVOIDING THE TOP TEN PITFALLS OF RESUME WRITING

by Darlene Zambruski, ResumeEdge.com Managing Editor, CPRW, SME

Creating a succinct and attractive resume that contains well-prioritized data is one of the major challenges facing candidates today. Not only will an applicant’s resume be competing against hundreds of others, it must clearly portray the candidate in the most favorable light and as the most appropriate choice for the opening. In order to do this, several resume pitfalls must be avoided:

1. Poor or Inappropriate Formatting: The first impression a resume makes on an admissions director or hiring manager is generally the most lasting. Large blocks of uninterrupted text, small margins, text that is very small, or an abundance of bolding, italics, and “designer” fonts make documents difficult to read. Only one font (preferably Times New Roman or Arial) should be employed and never in a point size lower than 11. Bolding should be left to the header information (name, address, phone number, email) and subheadings within the document (Profile, Work History, Education). A candidate’s industry or field will determine whether the resume format will be conservative (i.e. Physicians, Teachers, CPAs, Individuals Seeking Admission to Graduate Schools, etc.) or more stylish (i.e. Marketing Professionals, Artists, Performers, etc.).

2. Lack of Focus: An effective resume should indicate to the reader within seven seconds, or less, the candidate’s targeted position and qualifications that match the opening. It’s not enough to list schooling, work history, and activities. Admissions directors and hiring managers will not thoroughly read a resume to cull needed information – candidates must provide this data quickly and effectively. Qualifications Summaries should include information as to what is sought (a position or entrance into a university program) and the candidate’s qualifications that are related to this. Employment History, Accomplishments, and Education should build upon what is provided in the Qualifications Summary.

3. Use of Self-serving Objective Statements: In today’s economy hiring managers are not interested in what a candidate wants (i.e. Seeking a position that will fully utilize my college education and provide for sufficient advancement within the industry). Rather, they seek candidates that clearly state what they can do for the targeted company in terms of cutting costs, increasing profits, and enhancing productivity. Hiring manager’s take note of applicants who place the company’s needs above their own.

4. Poor Data Prioritization: A resume should reveal the candidate’s professional & academic background as it applies to the targeted position or program being sought, and in reverse-chronological order (the last job worked or school attended is listed first within that section). If Education is an important qualification it should be presented before Work History, not dead last on the document. If real-world experience is valued, then it should come before Education. If special skills, such as IT, are at a premium, they should be showcased immediately after the opening summary, not left to the end of a two-page resume.

5. Failure to Showcase and Quantify Accomplishments: Hiring managers and admissions directors will not read every line of a resume to determine what a candidate has to offer, especially if it’s buried within dense blocks of text. Applicants must provide special sections indicating professional or academic achievements and these must be quantified. It’s not enough to write: Increased productivity within the division. Hiring managers and admissions directors will find this self-serving. A better way to present the data is to write: Increased productivity 58% within three-months of hire by retraining staff on latest accounting software. Providing percentages/dollar figures and time frames strengthen achievements.

6. Including Non-relevant Data: Hobbies and interests unless directly related to the current job search should never be included – such activities do not enhance candidacy. Additionally, birth dates, religious affiliations, race, social security numbers, and marital data should never be included.

7. Inappropriate Length: There is no one correct page length for a resume. The document is as long as it has to be in order to provide a clear and effective picture of the candidate. Professionals with many years of experience will most likely have two pages. To cram this data into one page or exclude important information in order to reach an arbitrary length will only dilute candidacy. The key is to provide only that data which is relevant to the current career goal. When this rule if followed, appropriate page length is always reached.

8. Personalizing the Document and using Casual Language: Modern resumes are business documents and should never be personalized with use of “I’ “my” “we” or other personal pronouns. Additionally, the tone of the resume should always remain professional and businesslike – slang is always excluded.

9. Redundancy of Data: Once information has been provided in a resume, whether it’s in the Qualifications Summary, Career Accomplishments section, or Professional Experience section, it is not repeated elsewhere. Hiring managers and admissions directors soon tire of redundancy and feel the candidate is padding the resume to reach a certain page length.

10. Spelling or Grammatical Errors and Incorrect Verb Tense: Once a spelling or grammatical error is detected by an admissions director or hiring manager, they will stop reading the resume. Their trust in that person’s abilities is forever lost. This is also true when dates of employment or education are obviously incorrect (i.e. a recent college graduate listing the date of graduation as 1979 instead of 1999), or when verb tense does not match dates of employment (i.e. current jobs have duties listed in present tense; previous jobs have duties listed in past tense).

WHEN YOUR RESUME NEEDS TO BE CONVERTED INTO A CV

by Darlene Zambruski, ResumeEdge.com Managing Editor, CPRW, SME

Generally speaking, CVs or Curriculum Vitaes, are only used in the United States when the candidate is:

1. Seeking an academic position or a fellowship

2. Has been published frequently within their career field

3. The company or institution to which the CV is being submitted requests a longer, more
detailed version of the candidate’s history

Overseas, however, the situation is far different. Although some countries will accept resumes, most still want CVs. If you are applying to another country for a position it’s important that you note how candidate data differs in that country and in this one. Overseas employers may ask for a listing of:

1. Personal information such as date of birth, marital status, nationality, religion,
and number of children.

2. Linguistic and computer capabilities (this is nearly standard in other countries)

Additionally, presentation of data may vary from country to country (some prefer Education to be listed first, while others want Professional Experience or Work History)

General Rules for Converting a Resume to a CV

Font Type & Format

When creating a CV from a resume, it’s important to note that CVs tend to be more formal. Whereas a stylish format and “designer” font can be used in resume creation, it’s best to err on the conservative side with a CV.

Choose the Times New Roman font and a standard template that separates data under appropriate subheadings – i.e. Career Accomplishments, Licensing, Professional Experience, Publications, etc. CVs are generally so lengthy, they should be easy to navigate.

Data Inclusion

Because most resumes are two-pages or less, information such as publications, extensive training, and career history that spans decades is rarely included.

In a CV, however, all publications should be listed, as well as all relevant training. Full work history should also be provided even if it encompasses twenty years or more.

WHEN YOU NEED TO TURN YOUR CURRICULUM VITAE INTO A RESUME

by Darlene Zambruski, ResumeEdge.com Managing Editor, CPRW, SME

While Curriculum Vitaes, or CVs as they are known, are quite standard in other countries, resumes are the norm in the United States.

So what do you do if you have a 10 to 15 page CV, but need a resume that does not exceed two pages?

Your first goal is to retain only that which is relevant to your career search, and pare down or exclude all non-essential data.

The Essentials – What to Keep

1. Your name and contact information (address, phone number, and email)

2. An opening summary that gives a clear and quick picture of what you have to offer, and contains an objective statement if you’re in a career transition or are targeting a specific industry/job.

3. Career Accomplishments that are quantified and are relevant to your new career goal.

4. Professional History providing a succinct listing of daily duties. Note: It’s important not to go back more than 15 years. For IT professionals, the maximum would be 10 years. Hiring managers are not interested in reading about every job a candidate has ever had. They want to know what you’ve recently done.

5. Educational data, and any training that’s germane to your new career search.


The Non-essentials – What to Exclude

1. Personal information. U.S. hiring managers cannot, and will not, ask to see details concerning your marital status, number of children, religious or political affiliation, or your date of birth on a resume.

2. Publications and Presentations. Whereas CVs generally list page after page of the candidate’s published work, resumes do not.

3. Hobbies or Interests. Hiring managers want to see only that data which proves a candidate will be able to fulfill job duties or excel at them. Collecting stamps, listening to music, or reading books does little to enhance anyone’s candidacy.

4. Volunteer work: Always exclude unless it’s directly related to your career goal. For example, volunteering time at a hospital when you’re in a health-related field.

By prioritizing data and keeping work history within a certain time frame even the lengthiest of CVs can be effectively reduced to a readable and appropriate two page format.