writing for career

8/3/2019 Writing for Career

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writing

@

career

Monjurul Alam

[email protected]


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Remember, you are Marketing yourself

You are trying to sell:

Yourexperience,

Youreducation,Youraccomplishments, and

Yourtransferable skills

Be sure to structure your resume with the

most important information FIRST


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Purpose of a CV

What is your purpose in writing a CV? To obtain an interview

To supplement an application

To prepare to complete applications To prepare a recommender/reference

To apply for a scholarship/award/grant/fellowship

To provide a bio

Who is your audience/reader?

Be strategic


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CV? Resume?

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

For an academic position

Bullet points of accomplishments

Resume For an industry or non-academic position

Uses text form

Shorter than a CV, more targeted to the position


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CVs vs. Resumes

Resume

Industry

Private, Non-profit

Format

Brief, concise, focused

Length

One page, maybe two

Curriculum Vitae

Industry

Medical Institutions

Research Organizations

Educational Organizations

Format

Detailed, descriptive

LengthVaries with experience


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CV Content


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Name & Contact Information

Do not write Curriculum Vitae on your CV

On top of page:

Name slightly larger font size (14 or 16)

Contact information legible font size (11 or 12)

Address

Phone number(s) (cell, res, etc)

Email address (remove hyperlink, professional)


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Education

List all degrees in reverse chronological order

Abbreviating degrees is appropriate; writing

them out is preferred

Indicate graduation with honors


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Experience .

Elaborate on yourrelevant experience

Use bullets, avoid paragraphs

Begin descriptions with strong, descriptive action verbs

Include complete but succinct descriptions

Focus on skills and accomplishments rather thanincluding a comprehensive list of job duties


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CV Appearance - proofread

Use all periods or no periods at the end of bullet

points

Dashes used in dates consistent size,

consistent spacing

Check for spelling and grammatical errors

Spell-check does not check words in all caps


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CV Appearance - Final Copy

Avoid graphics, pictures (exception: picture included in

residency application), color ink

Print on laser printer

Use high quality, 100% cotton paper in white or off-white

Dont staple or fold

Dont print on both sides of paper

If mailing, use large envelope


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Formatting

Use 11- or 12-point font size with 1- to 1.5-inchmargins.

Choose an attractive font. (Times New Roman is mostcommon.)

Enlarge/bold name on first page. Include name & page number in header/footer on each

page after the first.

Dates to the right.

Use reverse chronological order within sections.

Avoid underlining.

Use caps/bolding/italics selectively; consistentformatting.

Avoid personal pronouns.

Use action verbs, measurable results.


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Style

Make your documents your own.

Avoid CV and cover letter templates.

There is no exhaustive list of categories.

Use guides but dont bind yourself to terms.

Be honest; dont exaggerate.

Put yourself in the shoes of your readers.


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CV Writing Tips

Focus on the job you want

Emphasis on achievement and results

Easy to read design and language

Spelling mistakes are unforgivable

Education or employment first

Quantify every statement

Ask someone to review your CV


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CV tips .contd Positive (your advertisement)

Targeted at opportunity, highlight relevant areas

Appropriate style

Interesting content - no clichs

Brief and punchy - 15 - 30 second attention span

2 pages maximum

Spell and grammar checked

Arms length test


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To Make Your Rsum Computer Scannable

Prepare a simple, unadorned rsum Use standard fonts, 10- to 14-point (preferably 12-

point)

Avoid script, italics, and underlining

Avoid graphics, shading, and columns

Use a high-quality laser printer Black ink on white paper

Single-sided copy, not stapled

Send an original or a high quality copy Do not fax

Do not fold

Use a keyword summary


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Avoid folding your CV

Dont include irrelevant information previous Salary, un-proofed awards, prizes and publications etc.

Say what you did, not what you think Personal information marital status, religion, health,

native place etc.

Avoid unusual font size, stylish letters, graphics,underlining and unusual spacing etc.

Avoid repeating information Avoid personal pronouns (I, my, me)

Dont outsource, do it yourself.

Donts


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