Материал: Business Communication and Correspondence Деловая коммуникация и коммерческая корреспонденция. Меркулова Н.В

Do not be tempted to demonstrate your individuality by using a non-standard paper size: you will simply irritate the employer. There are basically 2 standard paper sizes, depending on the part of the world:

A4 (297 x 210 millimetres) - used largely in Europe, including the United Kingdom

US Letter Size (8 1/2 x 11 inches) - used largely in the United States You must judge for yourself the most appropriate size for the company or

companies to which you are applying.

Remember that your CV may be read and handled by several people. It will also be an important document during the interview that you hope to have. Choose a good quality, fairly heavy paper so that it will remain in good condition at all times. Normal photocopying paper is 80g/m2 in weight. This is a little too light and will soon look creased and dirty. 100g/m2 or 115g/m2 would be better.

Choose an easy-to-read typeface. Typefaces are designed for specific purposes. The standard typefaces Times New Roman or Arial are perfect for your CV. Not too small, not too large! A size of 12 point would be appropriate.

DO NOT USE ALL CAPITALS LIKE THIS! CAPITALS ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO READ AND MAY BE CONSIDERED IMPOLITE IN THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING WORLD. Do not use a lot of italic like this. Italic can also be difficult and irritating to read. Do not use a fancy typeface. It is not appropriate for a professional document.

In general, 5 or 6 headings will be enough for most resumes or CVs. However, sometimes you will want to use more headings - when applying for a particular job for which additional information is appropriate. Here is a CV layout with most of the possible headings that you can choose from:

3.Practical Recommendations

1. Do be positive. Do look forward to the future. Do emphasize the benefit you will bring to an employer.

3.Do use active verbs.

4.Do keep to the point. Be relevant.

5.Do create an organised layout.

6.Do be neat. Do use good quality paper. Do use a word-processor (computer). Do use wide margins. Do use plenty of white space. Do use a good quality photo (if you use a photo).

7.Do check your work for spelling errors. Do check your work for grammatical errors. Do ask a friend to look at your CV and letter.

8.Do sign your letter with a fountain pen.

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9.Don't look backward to the past.

10.Don't write CV or Resume at the top.

11.Don't write Mr, Mrs or Miss in front of your name. Don't give personal details (place of birth, age etc) unless necessary.

12.Don't give full addresses of past employers. Don't give minor or unimportant school qualifications. Don't give lots of irrelevant or unimportant hobbies.

14.Don't write names in capital letters. Don't use lots of different typefaces (fonts) and sizes. Don't use lots of capital letters, italics or fancy typefaces. Don't use coloured paper.

15.Don't make your covering letter more than 1 page. Don't make your CV/resume more than 2 pages.

If you want people to read your CV, your language must be simple and clear:

Use short words and short sentences.

Do not use technical vocabulary, unless you are sure that the reader will understand it.

Talk about concrete facts ('I increased sales by 50%'), not abstract ideas ('I was responsible for a considerable improvement in our market position').

Use verbs in the active voice ('I organised this exhibition'), not passive voice ('This exhibition was organised by me'). Generally, the active voice is more powerful, and easier to understand.

Certain words are used frequently by recruiters in their job descriptions. You can study recruiters' advertisements and job descriptions and try to use these words in your CV and covering letter.

The most powerful words are verbs. And the most powerful verbs are action verbs. (Action verbs describe dynamic activity, not state):

So you should use plenty of action verbs matched to your skills, and use them in the active form, not the passive form. Which of these two sentences do you think is the more powerful?

4.British and American English

There are sometimes differences between British and American English and conventions. Here is a guide to some of the most important differences for your CV/resume and covering letter.

But remember, this is a guide only - there are no strict rules. For example, some British people like to use 'American' words, and some American people like to use 'British' words:

resumé

CV/curriculum vitae

resume

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