Languages, Cultures and Management ESIEE I4 Programme: EN401: Basic Training in CVs, Cover Letters and Interview Techniques Andrew Todman (
[email protected]) Office 2153
How to Write an English Curriculum Vitae/ American Resumé Monday September 1st Room 0160 Computer Science Major Embedded Systems Major
Wednesday September 3rd Room 0110 Signal Processing Major Electronics Major
Framework: General Principles Focus on Your Objective What do you need to demonstrate on the CV in order to get an interview? that you have the necessary technical, professional and personal skills and qualifications (experience) to merit closer investigation, i.e. that you fit the job profile.
There is no substitute for preparation study the advertisement/the job profile if application is 'on spec', create a job profile research the company - brochures, website, publicity, finances, company culture, contacts
Maintain Readership Awareness The reader will NOT…
speak French know France know ESIEE
Fundamental Design Principles You are one product among many: your CV is your marketing tool Your CV will be noticed if it is thoughtfully designed, professional, clear and accurate. Make your CV easy to navigate - adhere to conventions/expectations - use clear and informative headings - order information consistently in and between sections Make your CV look professional - quality paper, printing - accurately written: check language/spelling/punctuation check US/GB English spelling/vocabulary Make your CV easy to read/accessible • avoid long bodies of text –use bullets • vary font size (min. 10) and type-face to highlight significant words but be clear/consistent • avoid underlining • one page of A4 maximum as a general guideline for new graduates • all non English words except acronyms: italics
Design Dilemmas The questions only you can answer… Level of originality in design Ordering of sections Use of colour Amount of “white space” Considerations: Industry/institution in question Type of candidate sought General impression given by CV
– conservative? – original, reliable? – boring? conventional?
Experiment with layout/design ! Invest time and thought into how you present yourself!
CV Sections 1: The Heading/Title
* Your name and/or professional title followed by a mission statement
Jean Dupont, Student Specialising in Signal Processing Application for Internship at UScom Engineering April-July 2004 Position sought: Work Placement at Britcom Engineering April-July 2004
* Your title and mission statement Embedded Systems Major Applying for Internship April-July 2002
!!! 'Career Objective' = US style + only relevant for permanent job/post
avoid writing Curriculum Vitae (GB) /Resume (US) -> Make the heading work for you instead
:-( same mission statement on CV & Cover Letter = unity
CV Section 2: Personal Details/Information :-) Include Name – first name first last name last NO CAPS for surname Address – be clear (home? permanent?) All telephone numbers Home Work Mobile/ cell(ular) Email address
Photo Marital status
Exclude
Maiden name
Age /Place of birth Number of children
Situation vis à vis military/national service
Your decision Date of birth : Citizenship
:
not in US, optional in UK (day month year) “European Union Citizen” avoid “nationality”
CV Section 3: Education Education and Qualifications Academic Profile Academic History Academic Background
Order? Reverse chronological (most recent first)
Include
For all studies from secondary schooling (18) onwards Dates: period of study (years) Name of Institution Short postal address of institution 1999- present Ecole Supérieure d’Ingénieurs en Electrotechnique et Electronique (ESIEE), 93162 Noisy-Le-Grand, France.
1995-1999 Lycée Descartes, 99245 Enfer-la-Ville, France. Description/explanation of institution a university (GB)/college/school (US) of electrical and electronic engineering. a French Secondary school (GB) /High School (US).
CV Section 3: Education (cont'd) Give your current status and expected qualification: Currently in the fourth of a five-year program(me) leading to the equivalent of an MSc in Electronic Engineering. Specialising(GB) /Majoring (US) in Microelectronics/ Computer Science.
Give qualifications obtained : explain or give equivalent Baccalauréat S, French national secondary level diploma in math and physics (US) Equivalent to English A-Levels in pure maths and physics Equivalent to Scottish Highers in applied maths and physics
Classes préparatoires, a two-year post-A level course in maths and physics enabling those who pass it to go directly into the 3rd year at engineering universities Highlight modules most relevant to job sought by ordering, or by omitting the rest. Courses studied in/include…. Modules completed include… Don’t be shy! Mention academic awards/achievements: Ranked in top 20% of the year (120 students) Ranked 1/120 students Awarded with distinction/merit
CV Section 4: Employment Professional Experience Employment to date Work Experience Order: same as for education (reverse chronological): divide into: 'relevant experience' + 'general/other experience'
Include
Dates of employment Name of employer/company (+ explanation of company’s activity). Jun-Aug 1999 Britcom Engineering, Hove, United Kingdom, a computer manufacturer employing 50 people.
Type of work
- permanent, temporary, part-time, voluntary work, - internal project, internship/ traineeship /work placement
Job title Responsibilities/ duties (skills used) achievements/results (cost saving, meeting deadlines, increased sales, etc.) Shop-floor traineeship (college requirement) doing packaging and assembly-line shift-work. Conformed to strict deadlines and productivity schedules and gained first-hand experience of the company's working practices and blue collar working conditions.
CV Section 4: Employment. Further Tips Highlight aspects/skills/knowledge/experience most relevant to your job application. (bold or position or omit others) More detail for most relevant experience. Technical detail level depends on job/ interviewer (abbreviations) Language Past tense in abbreviated sentences Do not use project titles i.e. ''Designed and constructed a smart card using...'' not ''Design and construction of a smart card...'' Use pro-active vocabulary managed/led, presented, etc. rather than ''responsible for'' developed, designed, supported, initiated, achieved (cf list) Find English ads in similar field and note the recurring vocabulary. Try to integrate it into your CV
CV Section 5: Technical and Other Skills Language and Technical Skills – can replace detail in experience section or cover other areas. Languages – indicate level of ability Native language Fluent (Highly) Proficient (Very) good working knowledge Solid basic knowledge Beginner/basic - justify level any language qualifications + date obtained TOEFL scores only if above 550 + date obtained Number of years of study/courses followed Three one-month language courses in Britain/the U.S. Course in business English/technical English TOEFL score: 557 (Jun 2002) Computer skills (abbreviations are acceptable) operating systems languages programmes/software - justify level (“daily/regular use of”, etc.) Driving: full clean driving licence + date obtained (UK only) First Aid, Life-saving certificates, etc.
CV Section 6: Personal Interests Interests and Leisure Activities Hobbies and Interests Extracurricular Activities Miscellaneous Key words: Balance
Character
Individual- social activities Recreational-challenging activities Intellectual-physical activities Dedication/commitment Persistence/achievement Social/communication, team/organisational skills
Include
Clubs, associations, societies you belong to, Positions of responsibility held and duties involved. For sports, music, drama etc., explain involvement – e.g. Football/Soccer Captain /Member of school football team and club secretary. Participated/finalists in 2001 national University championships. Play regularly in regional league. e.g. G3E Member of G3E, an ESIEE student association which undertakes research and project work for companies. Involved in prospecting for contracts, working on projects and liaising with clients. ! Think about prejudices of your reader!
Section 7: References 2 needed: 1 academic + 1 professional Always ask referees first! Personal Title + Name Institution Ms Jane Brown, Mr John Roger, Hove
Professional Position +
Head of the Electronics Dept., ESIEE Project Leader at Gold Engineering,
+ tel. number, email. ''References available on request'' = acceptable alternative
Homework! Write a first draft of your CV Bring it to your CV class next week Wednesday 10th September I4 CV Groups Please consult your email inbox or notice board in Office Wings 2 or 3 Tuesday 9th September Supplementary Material: Language Centre Files (after 10/11)
