Page 239 - Complete Idiot's Guide to The Perfect Resume

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Chapter 15 ➤ When You Really Are a Brain Surgeon: Curriculum Vitae

Here’s an example of what I mean. Instead of saying
Prominent scientist who has been honored at universities around the world for
ground-breaking discoveries.

Use a more modest tone:
Organic chemist who has presented discoveries and research at universities in Russia,
Mexico, Canada, and the United States.

No Objections

Many CVs don’t include Job Objective statements, especially if the
applicant intends to stay in the same field. Between the college
degree and the work history, it’s usually obvious what type of posi-
tion is being sought. However, if you’re planning to change
careers (for example, from research to teaching), a Job Objective Job-Hunt Hint
statement at the top of your CV would be helpful to the potential
employer. To portray a sense of personality
in your CV, get a friend to help
you write it. Ask your buddy to
The Person Behind the Paper Mask jot down the exact phrases you
use to spontaneously describe
Even though the language of your curriculum vitae will be low-key
your accomplishments. Then pol-
compared to, say, a salesperson’s resume, your CV doesn’t have to
ish those carefree expressions
be devoid of personality. I suggest having a section near the top of
into business-speak that captures
your CV that tells the reader a little bit about who you are and
a hint of your character.
what you’re looking for (similar to the Summary of Qualifications
section in a resume). Give this section a title such as Profile,
Professional Statement, Summary of Qualifications, or Career
Summary.
Use three to six bullet points to describe attributes such as

➤ How much experience you have in your field.
➤ Where your special strengths lie.
➤ What your particular professional philosophy is.
Terms of Employment
➤ Any of your immediate career goals that might affect the
person reading your CV. Vitae is the possessive form of
vita which means life. Therefore
These statements should not be dramatic; they should simply “life’s course” is curriculum vitae.
summarize the pages of lists to follow and give the CV reader a Life is just plain vita.
sense of who you are (for instance, what your career passions are
and what constitutes your work ethic).

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