Your CV/Resume is UNIQUE

Every CV is unique. Like your fingerprint, there will be no other CVs exactly like yours. Yet a majority of CVs 'blended in with the crowd' and never get noticed at all! Why?

A good CV goes beyond telling the facts about your work history. It has to present them in a clear and convincing way. The recruiter has to (very quickly) perceive from your CV that what you can offer matches well with what the company is looking for. Your CV is your marketing document, it markets your brand (what you stand for) and how you and you alone can fulfil your prospective employer's needs! Quite a daunting task, especially when you probably have around 15 seconds to prove your point!

What about CV styles? There are various that you can employ to develop your CV. Depending on your circumstances, one style may be more effective/suitable than the rest. Common examples are the chronological, functional, combo, and competency-based formats; so which one should you use? Preparing an effective CV involves a great deal of work and time invested in researching, analytical thinking, organization of information, needs identification, devising appropriate layout formats, understanding industry trends, and of course - effective writing skills ... and this list is not even exhaustive yet.

CV preparation is very rewarding if done well but can be immensely frustrating too. A couple of people (my CV clients) have done hiring, understood the importance of an effective CV, and know how a good one looks like! It is not uncommon to hear of people having spent more than a year on their CV and still unable to get it "right". That is when some finally sought out the help of professional CV writers.

Writing an outstanding CV depends very much on the skills and dedication of the writer, and the cooperation of the candidate. A dedicated writer strives to make every single CV a masterpiece, and keeps himself/herself updated and informed about industry practices at all times. If you are considering using the service of one, your best bet in finding the right professional writer is to use one who has the credentials/training, who can build a good rapport with clients fast, and preferably through referral by someone who has used his/her service.

CV / Resume Presentation: First Impression Counts

Your first contact with your recruiters or prospective employers is through your CV or resume. First impression counts! You should never photocopy your CV and mass mail them. Every copy should be high quality print on good quality paper.

My favourite is high dpi laser printing on Conqueror paper with a conservative range of shades of white such as diamond white, high white or even brilliant white. Paper weight of 100gsm to 140gsm gives a nice feel to the finished product which looks more professional than just ordinary 80 gsm printing paper. The cost of the paper is considerable (about 10 to 15 times as expensive as normal printing paper) but doésn't your CV/Resume deserve the best?

Furthermore, one should never staple the pages together - instead use paper clips. When sending your CV/Resume through post, use an A4 sized envelope, do not fold the paper.

Job Searching: It's about Marketing Yourself

Armed with an effective resume / CV, one may start the job search process. Without an effective CV, job searching will be extremely frustrating. When you're looking for your dream career in a company you like, you are telling the employer "hire me" - I am the best candidate for the job! And so do hundreds and thousands of others who are competing for the same attention. Smart job-seekers use various channels to "broadcast" their intention. Some of these are:
1) Through referrals - this is the most effective method
2) Networking - always important to keep your professional network alive even if you are not in need of a job yet
3) Answering to job advertisements
4) Using the service of job recruitment agencies
5) Responding to online job postings
6) Writing to prospective employers / companies (remember that some positions are never advertised)
7) Posting your resume online

Spread Words About our CV / Resume Service

In an effort to make our CV writing service known to more people in Hong Kong (and elsewhere too), we have made available our logo to be printed on buttons, and T-shirts. We will proudly wear it to promote our company and spread the message of our wonderful service. We know we have made a difference to people's life - one at a time. Visit online store to see "The CV Workshop" branded items



See T-shirt / Buttons

Economy and the Job Market

We need to be aware of the state of the economy because it's inevitably linked to the job market. Weaker economy means fewer jobs created, leading to fewer hiring and even job cuts. During such times it is prudent to have one's CV updated just in case. It can happen anytime and to anyone. But while one industry is suffering, there may be others doing well and facing shortage of talents.

Below is an excerpt of an online article I read from the New York Times.
From: The New York Times
Business
Sharp Drop in Jobs Adds to Grim Economic Picture
By EDMUND L. ANDREWS
Published: March 8, 2008
The worst fears of investors and officials were confirmed as paralysis on Wall Street collided with new evidence of a likely recession.

Career Planning Videos

The job seeking process does not end after the preparation of CV or resume. When invited for an interview, one must be well-prepared in order to succeed. That's when the employer makes his or her choices and a smart candidate will stand a better chance of getting the job. There are many good videos covering the topic of job interviews and we have picked some for viewing.

In the coming week (1st week of March) we will be featuring some good videos related to career planning on this site: http://www.myoffice.tv/ .
Topics of some videos that are already up include:
* Job Interview Bootcamp
* How to Get Hired - Job Interview Tactics
* Preparing for Job Interviews
* Things You Should NEVER Do in a Job Interview
* Job Interview Success
* Planning Your Career etc.

Do you have an updated Resume or CV?

Life is not simple, we have to be prepared. Opportunities can show up suddenly and luck will be on those who are well-prepared! Constantly upgrading one's skills and knowledge through continuous education and training is a good way to enhance one's competitiveness in the workplace and the job market. But that alone is not enough. Keeping an accurate record of the courses you have taken, skills that you have acquired, milestones that you have accomplished in your career are all important steps that have to be well-documented. These data will come handy when a good career opportunity presents itself.

If you have never kept a good record of your career, it is time to do so. Waiting for the last moment is a great mistake. If getting started on a CV / resume seemed like a daunting task that you would rather do with a professional CV / resume writer, we can help. Take a look at our web site The CV Workshop and get in touch with us. Whether this is the first time for you to have a CV written or having yours revamped or updated, we can provide guidance.

CVs and Resume: Similarities and Differences | 关于履歷(CV 及 Résumé) 的分別 | 关于履历 (CV 及 Résumé) 的分别

In Hong Kong, the SCMP Classified Post which comes with every Saturday edition of the daily newspaper SCMP, is usually thick and filled with job advertisements from many industries. Recruiters normally specify that they need a CV and about half of them wanted a Résumé . So that makes one think if these two terms are used interchangeably because they are similar or are there differences at all. If I were to apply for a position that asks for a CV, I would provide a CV instead of a Résumé ... so how do they compare? How are they the same and where do they differ?

Purpose
-- Similarity: Both CV and Résumé give a summary of your credentials and other relevant information about your skills, achievements and professional history that will allow your prospective employer to have a glimpse as to whether you are suitable for a post and to make the informed decision as to whether to call you up for an interview. Both are standard format required for job applications although some companies prefer one format over the other.
-- Differences: For the purpose of job applications, the Résumé format is usually preferred in America (and American companies) and the CV format, the rest of the world. CVs are used in applications for positions in the academia or for applying to institutes of higher learning.

Document Features
-- Similarities: Both are organized into distinct understandable sections which provides information about you.
-- Differences: CVs are more detailed and complete and in reverse chronological order. Résumés are shorter, more focused and targeted to the post applied for - irrelevant information is excluded. CVs are about 2 to 3 pages long - Résumés do not usually exceed 2 pages, 1 page is ideal. CVs are more formal than resumes (which tends to have promotional vocabulary). Résumés can come in different formats of presentation because it is a less formal than a CV.

It takes time and a good deal of understanding of the similarities and differences, and practice to be able to come up with a quality piece of CV or Résumé . Getting down to producing a "perfect" CV and Résumé is quite a daunting task for many people. Some people would procrastinate or avoid this task altogether, especially if it has to be in written English (a language which may not be familiar to all). But not having a proper CV and Résumé will cost job seekers dearly.

Every person of working age should start building his / her CV and Résumé and keep the documents updated all the time so that they are accurate. If one had spent much money on education and sacrificed great effort in work - why should all these go unnoticed or under represented in one's Résumé to the detriment of one's future in the career?

CV (Curriculum Vitae) or Résumé: When To Use a CV and NOT a Résumé? 关于履歷(CV 或者 Résumé) 的分別. 关于履历 (CV或者Résumé) 的分别

This is the most frequently asked question which we get all the time. To determine whether you require a CV or a Résumé, you need to understand their differences and ask yourself some questions. The confusing point is when these terms are so often used interchangeably that some employers may not know their subtle differences.

Does a CV or Resume serve the same purpose?
Yes. Each summarizes your accomplishments in a brief and formal way.

So Do I Need a CV or a Résumé?
You must have both a CV and a Résumé because you will need each of them at different times. This is especially so when you work in a cosmopolitan city like Hong Kong because the companies may have different origins.

What do you need it for? When to use a CV? When to use a Résumé?
-- Applying for jobs in the commercial sector in the United States or with an American-based company anywhere: Use a Resume (Unless a CV is asked for)
-- Applying for positions in the education, scientific and research area in the United States: Use a CV
-- Applying for fellowship, further education or academic training in any institutes of higher learning: Use a CV
-- Applying for educational scholarships, a grant or funding: Use a CV
-- Applying for membership with a professional society: A CV may be required
-- Securing a tenure or promotion within the same organization and when an internal review is conducted: A CV may be asked
-- Applying for any positions in companies around Asia, Africa, Europe and Middle East: A CV is expected
-- When presenting a background introduction of one's qualification at a conference: Use CV

So when do I know specifically when to use a CV or a Résumé?
If you're applying to an advertisement for a job posting - the company would state clearly whether you need to attach a CV or a Résumé - so that is quite obvious. If you are writing in to enquire for a job vacancy, a Résumé is more appropriate and a CV may be presented at an interview when granted one.

In the next few sessions, we will be taking a look at the similarities and differences between a CV and a Résumé.

http://www.thecvworkshop.com/

Does Your Resume Stand Out? 您的履歷是否特殊? 您的履历是否特殊?

We need to put ourselves in our recruiters' shoes if we were to understand how they make decisions as to who they want to call in for interviews, basing their decisions on the resumes they get. Unless a job listing has been extremely unpopular, you can be sure that any one job advertisement would likely to attract a number of job applications. Then one has to pass that first "screening" in order to be considered for an interview and that step is crucial as what you put in your resume determines how good your chance is.

Your Resume IS Your Marketing Document About Yourself
Assuming that you have all the information that normal resumes should contain, what else can you do to make sure that it is an OUTSTANDING document - one that recruiters would spend more time on and dream to meet the person behind it? Here's when you have to step into the recruiter's shoes and try to understand the kind of candidates the recruiter would be most interested in.

Here are some tips to consider:
-- A candidate whose resume is customized for the job applied for and not just a general "off the copier" stuff.
-- A candidate whose resume reflects all the education, skills, knowledge, experience and qualification that the company is looking for (in other words, what the post had advertised for).
-- A candidate who seems to be able to handle the post and add value to the organization (as in track records documented).
-- A candidate who seems to be able to contribute the best to the company when hired (personality-wise, other additional skills possesed, other strengths).
-- A candidate who demostrates care in preparing their resumes to the point that it is error-free.

There are numerous styles in which resumes could be presented and candidates must make sure that an appropriate one is used. If in doubt, do your research or hire a professional CV writer to do that important task for you. Ultimately, your resume must project professionalism and create that optimum good impression and suitability for the post advertised. You only get one chance to make an impression and a well-written CV or resume maximizes that.

Your Career Log - 你的事業記錄 - 你的事业记录

A career log is a continuous record of noteworthy events, education, experiences, trainings, and even recognition (or commendations) one accumulates throughout one's career. It is an important documentation that will come useful when one needs to reflect on what to write for one's resume or CV.

I started a career log the day I entered the job market more than two decades ago. My first entries into the log were my education and professional training. Then I slowly accumulated numerous in-service courses, workshops, seminars and other experiences, responsibilities and contributions at work. For my first job, a resume was not required because it was a civil service posting which came immediately after my professional training. But after 8 years, I had the chance to advance in my career and be sent for an overseas posting. That was the first time I needed a good resume and my career log saved my day! There were more than 2000 applicants for 3 vacancies and I was one of the 30 candidates shortlisted for interview. Of course I got the job, and that changed my life!

Decades ago, people tend to hold one job for many years, and for some, it became their lifetime career. Not anymore now ... job changes and career changes will be the norm and one can easily lose track of the past if it is not properly documented.

Here's a link to an article about maintaining a career log. Maintaining A Career Log

Be Prepared With A Good Resume Always - 準備好你的簡歷 - 准备好你的简历

From graduation until the time you retire, you can expect to hit the job market several times whether by choice or not. A good CV or resume is an absolutely essential tool every employee must have whether currently employed or job-seeking.

A CV or resume is a self-marketing tool summarizing your skills, work experiences, qualifications and career history for your prospective employer. Its main purpose is to get you that interview. So how you present this very important document determines if it ever gets a chance to be read and make your prospective employer interested in calling you for a job interview.

On the side bar are some related news and links which may give you good tips on resume writing and what's going on in the employment field.

This is an interesting video highlighting the basics of resume writing.