If you are looking for a job, then it is very important that you understand how to offer yourself in the best way to an employer. This is done by writing a ‘CV’ (curriculum vitae – Latin for ‘life story’), Called in some countries a ‘resume’. Different countries may have different requirements and styles for CV resumes. So you must follow the correct practice for your culture and country. However, we will try to give you important principles and advice. A CV resume is quite simply an ‘advert’ to sell your self to an employer. There are several basic types of resumes used to apply for job openings. Depending on your personal circumstances, choose a chronological, a functional, combination, or a targeted resume. Taking the time to target your resume is well worth the effort. Once your resume is stored electronically, employers use keywords to match the stored resumes with their open positions. In order to find the resumes, employers (and recruiters) use keyword searches, usually a boolean search. Recall your career plan as this will be your basis for determining the resume format that will suit you most. Reverse Chronological format is the good resume format for traditional and conservative industries like academe and law and especially suited for those applicants aiming to stay in the same profession or position. The Functional format on the other hand is appropriate for new graduates and individuals who want to make a comeback in their profession. And for those applicants who want to shift careers or those who have diverse employment backgrounds, the Combination format is the most recommended resume format. Nonetheless, regardless of the format, all resume contain the same information that should be presented and stated very well to yield positive result.

Avoid using charts, pictures, tables or graphs in your resume. These rarely make it through. If you have information that needs to be in that format, consider an addendum to your resume or, perhaps, a web page that you have created that stores the information, with a link to the web page from your resume.

Use a simple font. Do not use a decorate font. Times New Roman and Arial parse most accurately and are the “standard” fonts for business communication, which your resume is. Use a standard font size. For business communications, fonts of 10 and 12 points are the norm. If you are applying for a job where it’s important to show off your formatting or creative skills to land a job, such as a Web Designer or Graphic Artist position, distribute copies of your fancy paper resume at interviews. Better yet, send both a fancy and plain resume format, or create a fancy Web resume and portfolio, and include the URL in your emailed resume or cover letter.