Successful Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Your resume is an important part of your job search toolbox. Zebra Job Connect can assist you to cut through the confusion and get started on preparing the best resume you've ever had!

Resume content

A list of essential information can be a great starting point, a checklist to help you evaluate your skills and aspirations.

Career objective

Differences of opinion exist about including a career objective. Some experts dislike them, viewing them as an Americanism, clichéd or adding no value. If you do use one, expect to rewrite it, even slightly, to match each job you apply for.

Three sample career objectives:

Accountant
An accounting position in a blue-chip media/entertainment company. Long-term plans are to advance into a management position with responsibility for financial functioning of the firm.

Graphic designer
To obtain an entry-level position as a graphic designer that will utilise my creative and organisational skills and will provide an intense learning experience.

Retail manager
To become a store manager in a national retail chain with opportunities to advance to state sales management.

Professional experience

The best resumes are brief and informative. As a general rule, include the most detail about your current job. If you've been in the workforce for some period of time, simply list the position, company and dates of your earlier or latest relevant jobs.

Try to illustrate a logical pattern of career development in your account of your work experience. If you have "downsized" your career or moved sideways, you may wish to include a brief reference to the circumstances that motivated your move. For instance, "By accepting a less senior position, I was able to accommodate part-time graduate study. In this role, I..."

Job summary

It's a good idea to not only describe your duties and responsibilities but also to emphasise your achievements and show how you contributed to your employer's business. Carefully consider how you can quantify your goals and achievements.

For example:
"Transformed an inefficient call centre with low morale into an organised, lean and quality focused organisation, increasing revenue by 12 per cent, decreasing costs by 20 per cent and decreasing staff turnover by 25 per cent."

In some cases there won't be a quantitative measure of your achievements. Find other ways to show your contribution.

For example:
"Conducted a production inventory and calculated costs as a consultant to a national retailer; findings led to a shift in the purchasing strategy"

There may not have been a problem in the first place. You did however initiate an action and get a result.

"As a self-employed contractor, set up databases for organisations that led to increased productivity for account managers."

Education

The level of detail depends on the balance between your qualifications and your work experience. It may be suitable for graduates with little experience to list selected classes and to include results if these are better than average (or requested).

As a general guide, the less recent your qualification, the less information you provide. A typical format lists the name of the qualification, the date you graduated, the institution which granted it and your major. For example:

Bachelor of Humanities, 2006, University of Botswana
Major: History

Add the name of any scholarships or awards you have won to the second line.

If you are partway through a qualification, list it like this:
Master of Business Administration (UB)
study commenced 2007

Begin with the highest level of educational achievement. Generally, you can leave out details about high school if you have a higher degree or qualification.

The education section usually follows the employment details unless you are recently graduated or you are pursuing an academic position where your educational achievements are more relevant.

References and referees

Most employers will require your referees to submit written references directly to the company within a set timeframe. You will also need to provide details of your work related referees (usually three) with your application to check the details on your resume.

It's important to choose your referees carefully. It's also a good idea to gain someone's agreement before listing them as a referee.

Optional extras

• A good resume is as brief as possible. Only include items listed below if they will truly strengthen your application.
• Professional training
• Professional affiliations and memberships
• Knowledge of foreign languages
• Publications
• Special accomplishments such as awards
• Interests

Chronological format

The chronological resume is the most commonly used way of structuring your information. It lists your work experience and achievements in each job, beginning with the most recent.

Kelapile Molatedi

Address: PO BOX 123
Gaborone, Botswana

Home phone: 391 6666
Work phone: 392 6666

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Operations Manager                                                       February 2002 - current
SG Industries Pty Ltd - Francistown

Duties:

• Manage and supervise 13 staff
• Develop and maintain relationship with key stakeholders including distribution and advertising agencies
• Manage a budget of over P10 million
  

Site and Operations Coordinator                                     October 1992 - February 2002
Patrick & Co Pty Ltd - Selibe-Phikwe

Duties:

" Coordinate activities
" Assisted with preparation of budgets and monthly reporting

Education

Diploma in Civil Engineering - University of Botswana 1995
Molefi Senior Secondary School (1992)

Computers

Software:  MS Windows 2000, MS Word 7, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, Adobe PageMaker, MS Outlook, internet.

References

Available on request

Presentation of your CV

Do:
      Print your CV on a good quality white.
      Use a common and easy to read font.
      Make best use of available space.
      Use page numbers (except on the front page).
      Check and double-check your CV for spelling and/or grammar.

Don't:
      Use a tiny font size or lines of italic.
      Use clip art.
      Include a photograph of yourself.
      Waste paper on a cover sheet.
      Use coloured paper as it won't fax or photocopy clearly.
      Trust your computer spell check.