How to write your CV

How to write your RESUME
Some points to get you started…
Chose a type font that is easy to read “on screen” and “on paper”
For example:
Arial 9 point on screen is great but on paper too small – test print your resume
Add a “footer”,
For example:
Charles Otter – CV February 2007 Page 1

Type Fonts that work well
Century Gothic 9 Point
Times New Roman
Arial
Calibri (Body) 11point
Garamond
NOTE: Stick to one main font – use bold and underline carefully, do not use Italics and be careful about your use of capitals

You need to know…..
Add the months for your dates of work and relevant courses. Why?
References vs. Referees (there is a difference)
Get a great quality photograph of yourself
Black and white makes us look much better and employees like to see the person they are going to employ
Do not put your photo in your CV! Why?

Photo in CV (1). Who would you employ? Why?
Real photos from real CVs within Radisson Blu Hotel, Kyiv.
NOTE: The candidates were not even invited.
M&E Sales Coordinator
Fitness Center Administrator
M&E Sales Coordinator

Real photos from real CVs within Radisson Blu Hotel, Kyiv.
NOTE: The candidates were not even inv
Photo in CV (1-A). Why not?

Photo in CV (1-B). Why not?

High quality photograph will help you to sell yourself
Photo in CV (2). Who would you employ? Why?
Revenue Manager (1)
Revenue Manager (2)
OR

The Resume
How many pages
One page is not always enough, it depends on how much information is important for the job that you are applying for
Personal Details: Name, Address, Phone(s), email, nationality, Skype, languages…
NOTE: Make sure this is easy to read!

Easy to read….
Curriculum Vitae
Personal Details
Name: Charles Patrick Knight Otter
Address: C/- 1278 Fergusson Drive
Upper Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand
[International address]
+ 7 812 322 5000 [work]
+ 7 812 905 4454 [mobile]
Email: [e-mail] [personal]
Nationality: New Zealand
Languages: English [native]. Russian [basic]

Russian Company vs. International Company
What’s the difference?
International companies:
work experience is the most important and your skills, education is at the end of your CV
Russian Companies:
education first and then work experience

Summary of skills/strengths
Think about:
Adding 6 skills/strengths that make you stand out from anyone else applying for the job, this is worth thinking about – it helps you to sell yourself
What your best strengths and skills are.
Example follows

Summary of Skills – example (1)
Strong understanding of sales and marketing with practical experience
Dynamic, hardworking and with five years of hotel experience
Quick thinker and motivated worker
Attention to detail – the ability to go beyond the expectations of management and clients
Strong communication skills at all levels, combined with a strong command of the English language
Microsoft word and Excel proficient can write reports as required
Excellent administration and organizational skills
Good team player

Summary of Skills – example (2)
Self Motivated and Responsible
Business and Industry Knowledge
Organizational skills
Time Management
Works well in a team, works with minimum supervision
Leadership
Customer Service training etc.

Where you work now…
Name of Company in your current position
Description about the company in 20-25 words
(remember the person interviewing you may not know anything about the company you are currently working in)
Your position – this should be in BOLD

Example:
Sept 2005 to Oct 2006 Radisson SAS Royal Hotel (www…)
St Petersburg, Russia
Position: Executive Assistant Manager
Reports to: General Manager
The Radisson Blu Royal Hotel is a five star international hotel part of the Carlson Rezidor group. The hotel comprises of 164 rooms, 7 conference rooms and a restaurant and bar. Turnover for 2005 was 12 M EUR
255 Rooms, 4 Star plus, with 6 meeting rooms, 2 restaurants
Managed hotel, 255 rooms, 4 Star plus, with 6 meeting rooms, bar, 2 restaurants, fitness
255 Rooms, 4-Star with 6 meeting rooms, up to 400 delegates, 2 restaurants [K-Largo Lounge + Mille Miglia] + room service

Achievements and Responsibilities
What did you do in this position:
4-6 bullet points of what your job was….
Example:
Carrying out transfers from airport to hotels and back
Meeting tourists at the airport
Providing tourists with information concerning their holidays
Assistance with check-in and check out in hotels
Secretarial duties

And continue with your jobs
Your education is vitally important - so mention that
Most times in Russia education is the first section before your work experience
Think about the company you are going to the interview with and write your CV for THAT company. Research!

Achievements
What did you achieve?
More tangible
More specific
What have you achieved in your position
This is a very powerful section if done well

Other information:
Technical Skills and other relevant training courses or education
This can include computer skills, typing, training courses, seminars – make yourself interesting
Interests – tell us about you
(but better some only relevant information)

Technical Skills & Training (sample)
Technical Skills & Training
Sept 2006 – Dec 2006 Financial Management Certificate – eCornell
Starts 20 Sept for a period of 8 weeks with 10 hours study per week
Core Subjects:
Mastering the Time Value of Money
Making Capital Investment Decisions
Understanding Financial Statements
Using Ratio Analysis to Evaluate Financial Performance
June 2006 Cornell University – Brussels Campus
Financial Management for Non-Financial Managers
Three [3] day intense course
Dec 2005 Yes I can – Delivering the Promise [Radisson SAS Hotels]
Jan 2005 “LOTS” [Logical Thinking Systmes] –Nice, France

Presentation
Take 1-2 pages if necessary
Spell/ Grammar Check – English & Russian
Previous jobs - past tense,
current job - present tense
Do not cram information into one page
Print it out! Look at it! Read it!
Place it in a presentation folder on very good quality paper (always take a hard copy when you go for the interview)