Unit 2. Job hunting

TOPIC 1 “WRITING CV/RESUME”

Text 1. Read the text.

CV stands for curriculum vitae (Latin for "course of life"), a summary of academic and professional history and achievements. CV provides an overview of a person's life and qualifications.

RESUME

The purpose of your resume is to get an interview. Salary should be a subject of the interview, not the resume.

An application package to any position consists of a resume and a cover letter. Although the resume should give a lot of information about you, you need to determine your main “selling points” and then to select and order facts in a way that will impress your reader.

You are what you write. You usually make your first impression* with employers on paper in the form of a letter and resume. And first impressions are extremely important with employers. How well you write and distribute* your CV and letters will largely determine if you will receive* an invitation to interview for a job you really want.

Writing a resume is a serious business. Few people know the secrets to writing high impact resumes and letters. There are different standards of CV in different countries. There are some of key principles to write your resume.

• A resume should be 1-2 pages, depending on your experience. But some resumes can run even 30 pages.

• It’s not appropriate* to handwrite a resume. However, if you are applying for a job in Europe, you may be requested to handwrite your resume.

• You should include* all the possible contact information – e-mail address, home address, home and work telephone numbers, fax number. You may include a homepage if it enhances* your CV.

• It’s inappropriate to include a photo on most resumes, unless you are seeking a position in modeling, theatre, movies.

• It’s not necessary to include all of your jobs, especially if they are very dated and show little relationship to your current profession. Focus on your achievements. Indicate how well you performed in previous* jobs (your duties and responsibilities).

• Don’t include references on your resume. Write the statement* at the very end: “References available upon request.”

• You shouldn’t include salary requirements* on the resume.

• Avoid including such information as age, sex, height*, weight*, marital status, spouse*, children, race and religion.

• Be honest, but avoid being stupid.

previous -предыдущий

height – рост

weight – вес

marital status - семейное положение

spouse - супруг, супруга

statement - сообщение; заявление; высказывание; утверждение; вывод; заключение

Vocabulary:

impression -впечатление

requirements – требования)

appropriate - соответствующий, подходящий,

адекватный

distribute – распространить

receive - получать

enhance - повышать (цену, качество, авторитет, значение),

увеличивать, усиливать, усугублять

Text 2. Study the resume. Pay attention to the structure and the words used. Translate it.

Sample resume/cv

Thomas Crown Objective Seeking an International Sales Management position in Information Technology where my extensive sales experience will be used to the full Experience 2003-present Intelel Inc. London, UK National Sales Manager Increased sales from £60 million to £100 million. Implemented Internet sales grossing £25 million. Doubled sales per representative from £5 to £10 million. 2001-2003 Teletrona Systems Edinburgh, UK Northern Sales Manager Increased regional sales from £95m to £200m. Suggested new services adding £35m to revenue. Expanded sales team from 30 to 60 representatives. 1999-2000 ESS Holdings Cambridge, UK Senior Sales Representative Increased sales by 300% annually. Closed deals with 100 major new accounts. Won over 25 competitor clients - adding £50 million to revenue. 1996-99 ESS Holdings Cambridge, UK Sales Representative Increased sales by 300% annually. Awarded company's top sales award each year. Developed 'Winning Presentations' training course. Education 1992-96 London University London, UK BA, Business Administration & Information Systems Captain of University Rugby Club 1988-92 St Andrew's School Plymouth, UK 4 GCE 'A' Levels President of school's Drama Society Interests St Andrew's Board of Governors, rugby, drama, chess 17 King's Terrace, Richmond, Surrey, UK Tel: +44 181 123 456 Email: tc@repu.co.un

Text 3. Read and translate another CV. Compare it with the previous one. What would you change in this CV? Is it better for a CV to be long or short?