If you would like some help preparing a resume / C.V to apply for a position or internship in English, please read the following suggestions before making a reservation:
1. Resume (Résumé) / C.V. (Curriculum Vitae) Difference
While these two terms are often used interchangeably, there is a slight difference according to the Harvard University Careers Department (The Mignone Center for Career Success) website. A curriculum vitae will include the same core components as a resume, i.e. your abilities, education and achievements, but have a more academic focus. A Curriculum Vitae would be more likely to include academic presentations and publications. Curriculum vitae can be abbreviated as C.V or CV.
2. Use of A.I
While it may be tempting to use A.I to create a CV, the results can be quite predictable. It will be easy for employers to know if you have used A.I or not. Setting yourself apart from other applicants by personalising a resume could provide an advantage in securing an interview.
3. Information to Include
People differ in their opinions on which information to include, and what to leave out. This includes demographic information such as age, gender and marital status, or whether to include a photograph. It is important to remember that a western CV is different from a rirekisho in that it is generally advised not to include this information. However, it is important that you take charge of your own CV and make these decisions for yourself by using your own discretion.
Every CV should include the following information:
Name
Address
Email Address
Phone number
Summary (optional)
University Education
Professional Experience
Skills and Interests
Please feel free to use the template below for your first draft, or use a checklist provided by Michigan State University:
| resume_template_.docx |
| resume-writing-checklist-1.pdf |
4. Formatting
There is more than one way to format a CV. There is no one ‘correct’ way.
The following guidelines are taken from the Harvard and Yale University websites as well from consulting with a recruiter who specialises in foreign companies from Tokyo:
5. Readability
Aim to fit your CV on one page. Try not to ‘pad out’ your CV to make it look longer than it needs to be. Most recruiters / employers will have no problem with a one-page CV. In fact, they may appreciate not having to scan through pages of ‘filler’ (off topic information) to find the information they are looking for. To do this, avoid double spacing, and overusing bullet points. Try to only include information that would be useful for the person reading it. Don’t overstate things such as hobbies or club activities.
Understand that the people reading your CV may not look at it very closely to begin with as there could potentially be hundreds of applications. Make sure there is a “Summary” heading at the top, to help readers find the most important information first. This section will be the first thing the reader sees, allowing them to determine if they should read any further. Try to customise your key skills, industry experience and core strengths to the position you are applying for. You should customise your summery each time you apply for a job to fit individual positions. You also may also want to adapt other parts of your CV to suit each individual position you are applying for, highlighting the most relevant information.
There is more than one way to format a CV. There is no one ‘correct’ way.
The following guidelines are taken from the Harvard and Yale University websites as well from consulting with a recruiter who specialises in foreign companies from Tokyo:
- Use the same formatting, fonts, and font size throughout the document. Consistency is key.
- Use a font that is easy to read, such as Times New Roman, Helvetica or Garamond
- Use narrow margins, no smaller than 1.27cm. Use Bold, italics, and • bullet points in moderation
- Check spelling and grammar; avoid contractions, abbreviations, and slang. Do not use pronouns.
- Use reverse chronological order where appropriate.
5. Readability
Aim to fit your CV on one page. Try not to ‘pad out’ your CV to make it look longer than it needs to be. Most recruiters / employers will have no problem with a one-page CV. In fact, they may appreciate not having to scan through pages of ‘filler’ (off topic information) to find the information they are looking for. To do this, avoid double spacing, and overusing bullet points. Try to only include information that would be useful for the person reading it. Don’t overstate things such as hobbies or club activities.
Understand that the people reading your CV may not look at it very closely to begin with as there could potentially be hundreds of applications. Make sure there is a “Summary” heading at the top, to help readers find the most important information first. This section will be the first thing the reader sees, allowing them to determine if they should read any further. Try to customise your key skills, industry experience and core strengths to the position you are applying for. You should customise your summery each time you apply for a job to fit individual positions. You also may also want to adapt other parts of your CV to suit each individual position you are applying for, highlighting the most relevant information.
