Communication Skills 2 - Career Planning & CV Writing

The job market in the 2000s is characterized by high competition, demanding various skills, and requiring a proactive approach in career planning

The process of setting short, medium, and long-term goals for one's career, combining strengths/weaknesses analysis with sought-after skills and job market realities.

A study of an organization or individual to determine their internal Strengths and Weaknesses, and the external Opportunities and Threats.

Measurable, specific skills like language proficiency or computer literacy.

Skills related to personality, including sociability, teamwork, diplomacy, and others.

Creativity, persuasion, collaboration, adaptability, and emotional intelligence, as identified by LinkedIn.

Thinking outside the box to design innovative solutions to problems.

The ability to convince others through clear and convincing communication.

Working effectively with colleagues or partners to achieve a common goal.

The ability to adjust to new situations and learn from experiences.

Understanding and managing your own emotions, and those of others.

Finding job openings through online platforms like company websites, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn.

A resume is a concise, one-to-two-page document highlighting key professional experience, education, and skills, primarily used for job applications. A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a more detailed document outlining the entire career history, used primarily for academic purposes.

A resume's primary aim is to get an interview and move a job applicant a step closer to their desired job; it's a marketing tool to showcase qualifications to potential employers.

Resumes should highlight skills and experience, but exclude personal information (like age, gender, marital status, etc.), which are not relevant to the job application process. Avoid including a photograph. An objective or summary statement may or may not be necessary.

A resume generally begins with your name, contact details (phone, email, linkedIn), then either education or work experience based on what you wish to emphasize. Professional email addresses are preferred over work-related ones.

To be considered for a job, a candidate should ideally meet 80% or more of the required criteria.

A method to assess Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats in relation to a specific career goal or job application.

These are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound plans for career progression.

Part of a resume detailing educational history (degrees, institutions, dates).

Resume section including work experience, volunteer, and internship details.

Detailed account of job responsibilities using action verbs and quantifiable results.

Section listing skills relevant to the targeted job.

Section for highlighting relevant achievements and awards.

Resume section listing references who can attest to applicant's work.

Professional courses included to enhance job suitability.

Measurable results from job responsibilities.

Skills learned outside of traditional employment, helpful to target jobs.

Important for individuals with limited job experience.

The visual appearance and layout of a resume, crucial for recruiter attention, ideally featuring a blank sheet template with consistent margins (two and a half or one and a half centimeters), standard size (letter for US/Canada, A4 for other countries) and a single or double page length, depending on experience.

Resumes should be one page for entry-level candidates and two pages maximum for experienced professionals. Academic CVs might be longer if necessary.

Three basic formats exist: reverse-chronological (showing career progression), functional (highlighting skills), and combination (combining both).

Emphasizes career progression, listing work experience from most recent to oldest. Best for highlighting promotions and increasing responsibilities.

Highlights skills and abilities, best suited for emphasizing skills relevant to a specific role, especially if employment history includes gaps or frequent changes.

Combines elements of both reverse-chronological and functional formats. A good choice for candidates with a long employment history.

Include current or former supervisors (employers), teachers, clients, or colleagues who can vouch for your skills and character.

Choose a professional, easily readable font like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri maintained throughout. A consistent font size is also critical, e.g., name = 24 points, headings = 12 points, and bullet points = 10 points.

Emphasize accomplishments and impact, not just duties and responsibilities.

Use action verbs and adverbs to show strengths and accomplishments.

Include measurable results or improvements to demonstrate impact.

Use powerful words to describe your actions and accomplishments.

Prioritize relevant skills and experiences for job applications instead of a strict chronological order.

Include crucial employment details (dates, roles, companies), but place it on the second page of your resume.

A resume format listing work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent job.

Using only well-known, widely understood abbreviations in a resume, avoiding potentially unclear or unfamiliar ones.

Using bullet points effectively to highlight achievements and responsibilities in a resume.

Your CV is a reflection of your skills and experience; make it a positive representation.

Strategies for managing resume gaps, including presenting dates in broad month-to-month or year-to-year formats instead of specific dates.

Seeking feedback from a friend or colleague to get a fresh perspective and identify any potential issues or areas for improvement.

Demonstrate how your past achievements added value and highlight how those skills can add value in the future role.

Saving your resume as a PDF ensures the formatting remains consistent across various devices.

Identifying the desired skills, qualifications, and characteristics mentioned in a job description.

A detailed description of the employee's required qualifications and characteristics for optimal job performance.

Detailed accounts of the duties, responsibilities, and tasks associated with a specific job.

Highlighting similarities between your previous and target companies in your resume, showcasing relevant transferrable skills.

Ensuring the accuracy of all resume details, including employment dates, to maintain credibility and avoid any issues.

Tailoring your resume by highlighting skills and experiences that directly align with the job description, showcasing your suitability.

Acknowledging and highlighting volunteer work, community engagement, or unpaid experience to demonstrate skills, even with limited paid experience.