Recently I was looking for a replacement job. Most all the companies that I considered working for in the Mideast wanted a CV instead of my updated resume. I’d noticed the large US multi-corporations operating in Afghanistan and Europe look for a CV Resume. The CV is a three or four page resume that requires many keywords or power words in the text. It takes considerable more time and patience to build.
The computer robots look at the data and decide if you’re going to a potential hiring manager’s desk instead of the dreaded file 13. If you survive the electronic scan, you might get to see a human if it is accepted. That part is the same as with the standard resume we use in the US. The CV is used there too but for the teaching profession, medical field or college professor levels. My job level wouldn’t normally reach that assessment point.
A Curriculum Vitae or CV is a document much like a resume. It highlights your relevant experience, certifications and licenses. It looks at education but is even more interested in your accomplishments. It asks questions that are optional in our country. In the US, knowing your race, religion, affiliations and alliances are sometimes off limits. In Europe and this part of the world, they want to know the specifics.
Employers request CVs instead of resumes because the later is more detail orientated. They generally want to know your college GPA, what honors you received, what coursework you studied and any specialized skills you’ve acquired.
CVs are most commonly used in the academics but also in businesses. Once you understand the way the format functions and why the employer needs to know more about you, it is easy to assemble one, I’ve been told. I haven’t yet acquired that viewpoint. I do understand that the CV provides an overview of a person’s experience and those questions never need to be asked again in an interview. It makes you wonder how many prospective interviewers get past the first page.
In the UK, the CV is shorter at only about two pages. It only requires a summary of the job seeker’s employment history and qualifications. It is often updated to change the emphasis of the information according to the particular position for which the job seeker is applying. The EU has a standard CV called a Euro pass.
Some companies prefer to keep it simple and only use their own application form which must be completed in applying for any position. Unfortunately, more detail is the normal way. It is getting more complicated generally due to our current economy where there are many more candidates. It is very competitive as you know and you must produce the best document possible.
John Sprague is an American currently working in the mideast. He enjoys writing and working on his websites in his free time. He has a new site at http://www.marketingkindreds.com His website has photos of the mideast and marketing articles that you may be interested in viewing. There are also website analysis tools and articles on genealogy and dna.