I found a marked difference in CVs of CAs and B-School MBAs. After some 10000 +interviews taken in career and certainly 3000 plus people selected and 300 plus lectures delivered on this subject, mainly in GMCS batches of ICAI and also SMTP batches of ICSI and numerous management institutes and many chapters of ICWAI in western region. I wish to impart this especially for young professionals looking for industry job in India. Variations for foreign jobs, retainer ships, Government jobs, etc will be covered in future proposed articles.<\/p>\n
How to find whether your CV is perfect and complete?<\/p>\n
Simple test would be to spread your CV along with 10 CVs of other friends and advise any unknown educated person to glance on table where it is spread and pick up 2\/3 attractive out of it. If your CV is one among then it is at least one out of ten to start with. I have tested this with management institute like Welingkars students.<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Title \u2013 Bio-data words \u2013 most simple and suitable. One makes errors in spellings of curriculum-vitae. Writing name itself has again gone out of fashion.<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sequence \u20131. Name, 2 Cell, 3. Email, 4. Education,5. I.T. Literacy & extra courses, 6. Experience, 7. Achievements, 8. Hobbies, 9. Personal Details<\/p>\n
3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 End \u2013 Left with date and right with name in bracket to sign above it. With I.T. Revolution writing place has become outdated concept.<\/p>\n
4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 No. of pages \u2013 After long thoughts I have derived following formula. A professional fresher\u2019s CV should be one and half to two and half pages say average 2 pages. Subsequently, add half a page for each 2 years (or part of it) experience. The maximum pages will be 6. Thus by above formula, number of pages will not increase after 16 years experience. Also note that one should constantly replace latest in place of old data even after 16 years.<\/p>\n
5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Before I proceed, it is needed to write DON\u2019Ts or DO NOTs<\/p>\n
IT HAS BECOME HABIT TO WRITE THESE THINGS TO INCREASE LINES AND PAGES.<\/p>\n
BUT ONE SHOULD NOTE THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE VALUE ADDs AND RATHER MAKE READER WARY AND GIVE A FEEL OF TIME-WASTE.<\/p>\n
SO DON\u2019Ts<\/p>\n
a.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Father\u2019s name \u2013 outdated and irrelevant from professional perspective<\/p>\n
b.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mother\u2019s name \u2013 same as above (pl. do not be emotional)<\/p>\n
c.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Last sentence \u201cI confirm that above information is true and correct etc etc etc\u201d Not needed at all. One is not writing a legal statement. And in any case one is legally bound.<\/p>\n
d.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Decimal points in marks \u2013 not needed<\/p>\n
e.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Outdated achievements e.g. prize in essay competition during 3rd<\/sup> standard<\/p>\n f.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gender & nationality (for overseas jobs only)<\/p>\n g.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Native place<\/p>\n h.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Languages known (unless one knows any foreign language other than English, of course)<\/p>\n i.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Marital status<\/p>\n j.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Present CTC& expected CTC<\/p>\n k.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Religion and caste<\/p>\n l.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Scanned photo \u2013 this was in fashion during I.T. Boom, now outdated for Indian jobs<\/p>\n m.\u00a0\u00a0 Passport no and validity date not needed \u2013 nowadays in global scenario, one must have it. If one does not, pl. apply immediately (overseas jobs, mention \u201chold valid passport\u201d)<\/p>\n n.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 DD, MM, YYYY not needed. Only MM, YYYY is enough. Do not write 13th Oct 2006 to 27th Dec 2007 mention “Oct 2006 to Dec 2007”<\/p>\n o.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Covering letter \u2013 with emailed CVs, these have\u00a0 gone out of fashion. If something very very specific to be highlighted which is your special USP, then exceptionally covering letter may be useful to serve some purpose. So 99.99% cases NO<\/p>\n p.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Words like \u201cJUST\u201d showing casualness, \u201cno\u201d \u201cnot\u201d showing negativity.<\/p>\n q.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Pursuing a course \u2013 does not add value, unless at least some prelim or entry or first level or first group is completed.<\/p>\n r.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Strengths \u2013 do not write. But rather state them indirectly by examples of experience or achievements in CV.<\/p>\n s.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Weaknesses \u2013 Interviewer will find any way some of them. But you should be able to show cool, humble and improving mode likes for same.<\/p>\n t.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 References \u2013 write them only if very – very strong. Or else leave them for giving in interview when asked for or while filling company\u2019s standard form which is normally green. But carry with you for interview.<\/p>\n u.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Height<\/p>\n v.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Weight<\/p>\n w.\u00a0\u00a0 Chest<\/p>\n x.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Colour of eyes, hairs<\/p>\n y.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Skin colour<\/p>\n z.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Last but not the least,<\/p>\n a.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Drop everything on which you cannot speak on \u2013 word, line, sentence whatever,<\/p>\n b.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Drop everything on which speaking in interview will go against you,<\/p>\n c.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Drop everything, speaking on which will appear a time-waste for interviewer<\/p>\n \u00a0THEN WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT PART OF CV,<\/p>\n WHICH SHOULD BE FOCUSED FOR CONTENTS<\/p>\n A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 EXPERIENCE<\/p>\n B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ACHIEVEMENTS<\/p>\n C.\u00a0\u00a0 EDUCATION – DEGREE AND ABOVE<\/p>\n HOW TO WRITE EXPERIENCE?<\/p>\n HERE IS A SCIENCE CREATED & TESTED WITH SOME RANK-HOLDERS<\/p>\n a)\u00a0\u00a0 First make or convert all points into bullet points, with sub-titles. (it means \u2013 NO FULL SENTENCES, Starts with verbs like completed, e.g. Cost Audit – done for sugar company etc)<\/p>\n \nb) Put yourself in interviewer\u2019s shoes and think<\/p>\n \nc) Rank all points in order of importance from interviewer\u2019s eyes<\/p>\n \nd) Ruthlessly drop point no 11 onwards (for a fresher)<\/p>\n \ne) Out of first 10 point put them in sequence 1 to 10. (Rethink if required)<\/p>\n \nf) For first 3 points make 3 sub-points each say a, b, c<\/p>\n g) Then imagine that you are asked a question on any of the 10 points plus 3*3=9 sub-points i.e. total 19. So prepare 3+2 (2 for giving example) sentences on each of them. No sentence should exceed 10 words each. Thus you will have 95 (19*5) sentences written with you. Literally memories them. Wherever you cannot write, please consider removing those points or else go back to those scenarios and recap back knowledge by studying or interacting.<\/p>\n \ng) Print and compare your old and new CV. You will find amazing results.<\/p>\n \n How to write achievements?<\/p>\n \u00a01.\u00a0\u00a0 Write 2-4 achievements, best no 3. Ideally one should be academic, one should experience based and one should overall personality based<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0\u00a0 If there are no academic achievements, write 2 experience based achievements<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0\u00a0 Achievements to some extent should be highlighted in a way, so as to arouse curiosity, so that interviewer asks questions on that, and then candidate can score on it. After all interview from candidates perspective should be an art of driving interviewer towards his strengths for as much discussion on that possible \u2013 for which bio-data is vital tool.<\/p>\n HOW TO WRITE HOBBIES?<\/p>\n Another science created out of experience below. Hobbies can be classified in 4 types<\/p>\n A) Having professional synergy- like internet, reading professional books, magazines, journals, chess, traveling (shows exposure).<\/p>\n If you have these hobbies it is best. But go prepared to prove them with some examples.<\/p>\n B) Physical\/mental strength-peace related – e.g. of course my pet squash, Tennis, badminton, Cricket, football, swim, gym, long walks, trekking, adventures.<\/p>\n These show that you have hard working capacity and fitness. State them if you have and have been practicing during last one year.<\/p>\n Mental stress related – yoga, meditation, art of living, singing, dancing (more for girls), cooking.<\/p>\n C) Social nature hobbies \u2013 NGO participation, Rotary, Lions, CRY, Blood donations, Animal anti-cruelty, handicapped children help etc.<\/p>\n D) Some examples of hobbies not worth stating (out of my experiences in taking interviews) – reading comics, watching movies, chatting, playing carom, housie stated in hobbies — better avoid.<\/p>\n \u00a0Maximum hobbies to state 3 to 4.<\/p>\n One from A, B, C each is all-round personality \u2013 marketing, HR, Business development positions prefer this.<\/p>\n Two from A and one from B is career oriented personality \u2013 Finance, strategy, Operations, costing prefer this.<\/p>\n SOME TIT-BITS and LIVE EXP. TIPS. SOME FAQs<\/p>\n a. Convert all sentences into bullet points.<\/p>\n b. use command find and replace and find all places where “and” word is used and replace it by “&”<\/p>\n c. check all words which make no meaning & drop them (believe me, I mean it \u201ceach \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0word) All these are known as fillers for CV which has otherwise nothing and is looked in poor light.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 28. FAQ – should I have more than one CV?<\/p>\n a. Yes, precisely that is why naukri.com or monster encourages 5 CVs<\/p>\n CV should keep changing with respect to<\/p>\n i) Experience gained over time<\/p>\n ii) New developments happening in your profession & your updation about that query – how frequently CV should be updated<\/p>\n iii) Saying daily will be aggressive – try it weekly initially & then monthly.<\/p>\n iv) Regular updation of CV will become a professional mirror for you. If here is no updation in CV in each month then, think what value addition you are doing?<\/p>\n v) Regular CV updation also ensures that employers & placement consultants who keep searching latest CVs give search on CVs which are in last 15 days. Your updated CV will always get picked up as latest CV.<\/p>\n \n 29. No need to state “The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, New Delhi”, ICAI is enough. This is an example of how to state maximum meaning in minimum words\/letters.<\/p>\n 30. No need to state Bachelor of commerce (B.Com.) \u2013 stating B.Com. is enough.<\/p>\n 31. FAQ – 250 hours compulsory Computer course HOW TO STATE?<\/p>\n NIIT program 250 hours – CA institute program based (all other words are redundant)<\/p>\n 32. Worked with A & B (Partnership firm) in Bank Audit, Internal Audit and Individual Taxation from December 2003 to June 2004 as a part of ICAI training curriculum.<\/p>\n State as follows:<\/p>\n Professional training – a & b,\u00a0 CA firm Dec 03 to June 04<\/p>\n Work exposure – bank audit, internal audit, individual taxation<\/p>\n 33. Stated in CV “Passed M.Com. in Nov 2003” impact – our education system is Apr to Mar. So interviewer is bound to ask about passing in Nov. The discussion in NO case can go favorably to you. So better state “passed M Com in 2003”<\/p>\n 34. Stated in CV<\/p>\n Reference<\/p>\n Mr. Manoj Parikh<\/p>\n VP Baroda Textiles<\/p>\n \nIn first CV references are not required. But if at all one puts then ensure to write Name, cell (if not landline, office\/home), email, designation, company of reference person while address not needed<\/p>\n 35. The references should not be and need not be given in CV at all. Give them only when organization gives you their standard form which is normally green. But if at all you give.<\/p>\n 36. Some batches are doing boxes for whole CV. in that first column contains only titles like, name, age, experience. Since 2nd column has lot of lines, first column contains lot of empty space. On the other hands, the second column contains sentences which are really congested. So avoid box format.<\/p>\n 37. The key portion of CV is highlights in exams & achievements in work exp. In case of fresher\u2019s it is, article ship of CA<\/p>\n 38. Highlights in exams are represented by rank all India, — topper in city, college, branch, etc — first attempt in case of professional exams, in all exams or in finals or in inter or in foundation — if not overall marks high GPA in MBA or more than 55% marks in professional exam — if not, look for subject marks which are maximum – say about 80 or 70 or 65 or at least 60 state those with subject name.<\/p>\n 39. USP \u2013 Differentiators must be noticeable – show your CV to friends or relatives or mentors – to know whether these highlights are immediately noticeable or not. Bigger or different font size or colour will achieve that purpose.<\/p>\n 40. With all previous tips you have ensured following<\/p>\n a) Making CV short<\/p>\n b) Omitting useless and meaningless words<\/p>\n c) Cut out long sentences<\/p>\n d) Removed unnecessary details<\/p>\n e) Avoided anything which leads to finding negative points by interviewer.<\/p>\n This provides you space to write more so as to focus on experience and achievements which is a key to good CV and most fresher are missing that part.<\/p>\n 41. ONE PERSON wrote in BODY OF EMAIL CONTAINED GREETING AS<\/p>\n “hi”,<\/p>\n I think employers have still not become so informal to look kindly at “hi” as greeting write “Dear sir” or nothing.<\/p>\n 42. One student had passed B Com in 2001, CA in 2004 and M Com 2007. I recommended to drop the M Com qualification from the CV. Any question asked on that would have led to uncomfortable answers and frankly this additional degree does not show great highlight beyond CA.<\/p>\n Computer related<\/p>\n 1. Email body with attached CV in word file is normal way (no ppt, no pdf., no excel)<\/p>\n 2. Arial or times new roman fonts<\/p>\n 3. Font size 10 max 12<\/p>\n Best wishes to get interview calls doors open.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\n