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When you write a CV for the cyber space, you need to keep in mind two main things,
- (i) you do not need the regular formatting you do on a regular CV and
- (ii) you need to keep it in the simplest format possible.
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The reasons for the above are that the computers need different accentuations and style of presentation and in order for the majority of the computers to be able to open your CV, the format should the lowest, i.e. plain text or ASCII. Anything more complicated than this, and you risk cutting off some segment in the market which does not have the upgraded software you use.
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Another important point is the presentation. In a regular CV, you highlight certain things in your CV by boldface, or italics. The counterpart of these actions online is, using the right keywords. Your CV will be 'visible' on the net only when it has the right keywords. By 'right' keywords means those keywords which a person would think about when trying to search for a person for a job in your field of expertise. The keywords should as many as there are facets to the job (ex: 'secretary' can have the following keywords - office assistant, typist, stenographer, back end office, personal assistant, private assistant, etc).
There are a few dos and don'ts that you should keep in mind when you write an online CV:
Dos
- Use only very specific keywords accurately describing the job/ skills
- Effectively summarize - the shorter the better (without sacrificing the quality of the content
- Use the main skills keywords in the beginning; list your major skills in the beginning of the CV
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- Use the simplest format available (plain text is the most acceptable)
- Use not other formatting of the typeset as it will totally confuse the reader while reading the codes attached to it
- Provide a valid email id (chances are that those who search for you on the net would immediately want to email you) and phone number for immediate contact
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- Have a hard copy ready in case the prospective employer would ask you for it; also keep a properly formatted CV - in case they ask you to attach a detailed CV and send them by email
Don'ts
- Do not send group mails when you apply for a job; each job you apply for should have a separate email with the CV uploaded separately (or as cut-n-paste as it is asked of you)
- Do not send attachments with your CV drawn up in the latest versions of software; if it does not open when they try to, your CV will be rejected and you would have a good chance for a nominal mistake
- Do not forget to follow up after send a polite follow-up enquiry after 3-4 days
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