HR vs Programmers review of a CV

Some points rang true especially about HRs’ perspective.

Rebuilding how HR thinks is key. For too long too many HR professional look at and shortlist CVs the same way over and over. It is good to look at another disciplines point of view. That is why a good job description lends to a good tailored resume. As I am lead recruiter at my organization I can see how a poor job description leads to us advertising for and receiving the wrong caliber of CVs in which to short list persons. Many organizations need to rebuild their position/job description database through a competency management framework. You as the applicant should always research – call, walk-in, online etc – what the organization is really looking for in a particular position. What you see advertised may differ from who they really want.

My Resume

In looking to review my post to this blog I looked at my CV again. I realized that I myself have made mistakes. What I saw -

a. It is longish. At three pages I am sure I can shorten it to 2. My early job history is a bit too detailed and be summarized a lot better.

b. It is a bit detailed. Summaries can do wonders to the person(s) reading your CV and I will see if I can summarize where necessary.

c. Consistency. My entire career has been HR and though the focus shifts somewhat to various aspects of HR, there should be a little more consistency across the CV. One can say almost a running theme.

So as I rebuild this blog I realize I must rebuild my own resume.

Employment History

The amount of information you put in your employment history has to be the right balance in terms of not only quality but quantity. This is especially so if you had more than one employer.

Putting too little information will result in the HR person having no idea of your experience, skills or history.

Putting too much and you look boastful, unable to be concise and HR will be bored to tears sifting though non relevant information.

Rebuild the amount and quality of information you put in your employment history.

Applying for a Vacancy

A first degree (bachelor’s degree) does not entitle you to a job.

More importantly, do not apply for a job where the only requirement you meet is the minimum qualification.

If your work experience does not come close to the minimum specifications, you are wasting someone’s time (the short lister looking through a stack of resumes).

This is very important if you are applying for more than one position in an organization.

Rebuild the way you use and submit your resume.

Your Resume

As your eye is called the window to your soul, so is your resume to you as an employee.

The majority of the time the first point of contact between you and an organization is your resume. Let your resume represent you. Let it reflect you as a business, as a product or as a commodity a firm will want to own. 

A resume must sell who you are as an employee – your skills, past experience, education, unique talents and everything relevant you bring to the table. Do not sell yourself short.

Don’t just fix your resume.

Rebuild it.