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How to write a Resume

CVs that work here won't necessarily work elsewhere. Be sure to arm yourself with a pond-crossing, stateside stunner of a résumé.

George Bernard Shaw's observation that the US and the UK are 'two nations divided by a common language' still holds good today. Don't let a shared core of vocabulary fool you into thinking that you know what your transatlantic business chums are talking about!

For example, to 'table' a motion in a British boardroom will see it discussed. In America , 'tabling' something will see it put firmly on the back burner. Anybody planning to apply for a job in the US will need to be alert to these types of shifts in meaning, but converting a CV into an American-style résumé requires more than just a bit of attention to vocabulary.

Although there are some similarities between the way that CVs and résumés are put together, there are also a number of subtle and not so subtle distinctions. A typical US résumé begins by listing contact details (don't include a heading that says 'Résumé'). It then goes into some if not all of the following sections:

Objective
Executive profile
Professional experience
Credentials/education
Languages
Computer skills
Personal information

To take each section in turn:

Objective

Most US career experts recommend including this section. It comes just below your contact information and sets out in two or three lines what you're shooting for in terms of your next career move. Here's an example: 'Senior Executive position where a proven record of achievement through leadership, team building and strategic thinking will maximise the financial and corporate goals.'

Executive profile

Most US career experts believe that an executive profile serves a positive purpose. US

profiles tend to run a bit longer than their European counterparts - ten to twelve lines isn't uncommon.

It can work quite well to devote the first chunk of the profile to breadth of experience and responsibilities and then go on to a sub-section called something like Personal Qualities, which features a few lines of 'High energy, flexible, take charge executive with a strong reputation for integrity' type stuff.

Professional experience

As in Europe , the reverse chronology model is more popular than the functional. Whichever format you opt for, look to fill your work experience with keywords that highlight your experience to date and your skills. Electronic scanning of CVs is more popular in the US . Be sure to include details of the post that your role reports to.

Credentials/education

Credentials: This covers professional qualifications and details of degrees and postgraduate qualifications, set out in reverse chronology order. Any long or prestigious courses, such as spells at Harvard or London Business School , are also worth mentioning.

Education: This section should come before the one on professional experience if you're in school or have been out of school for only a couple of years, depending on your level of work experience and how relevant your education is to your career.

Languages (optional)

If relevant to the job, list the languages you speak and your level of competence, i.e. whether you can translate, speak or write in each language and how well.

Computer skills (optional)

List the programmes, applications, etc., that you can use and your level of competence.

Personal information (optional)

Consider including a brief section where you can list personal information such as hobbies or interests as this can add value. Be very succinct, i.e. no more than three or four words per item.

Attachments

Always attach a cover letter with the résumé, but don't send diplomas or documents unless specifically asked to. Don't send a photo unless it's relevant to the job, such as modelling or acting.


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