| "KonaBody"> | | | | that job seekers have a Professional Summary |
| | | | which outlines the profession in which one works, |
| There has been some conjecture amongst | | | | followed by 4 or 5 key areas of expertise which |
| professionals regarding the merits of a personal | | | | are aligned with the roles being applied for. See |
| profile on a CV. This conjecture stems from the | | | | below for an example: |
| fact that many job seekers fill their personal | | | | An experienced Project Manager (PRINCE2) with |
| profiles with irrelevant and mostly clichéd | | | | a track record of delivering £multi-million IT |
| information. Here at the CV & Interview | | | | infrastructure projects. Areas of expertise include: |
| Advisors, we offer free CV Appraisals, therefore | | | | understanding complex business requirements to |
| see hundreds of CVs per week. I recently | | | | define and execute effective project plans; the |
| reviewed 5 CVs back-to-back and was interested | | | | ability to manage disparate stakeholder agendas |
| to find that all 5 people considered themselves to | | | | across large organisations; assembling and leading |
| be dynamic and innovative with excellent | | | | teams of up to 100 people across international |
| communication skills. Having spoken to all 5 | | | | jurisdictions; and extensive experience within |
| individuals, it confused me as to why 5 people, | | | | software development and infrastructure |
| who didn't know each other, could include almost | | | | architecture. Seeking contract-based IT Project |
| word for word, the exact same phrase in their | | | | Manager roles. |
| CV. I would guess that all 5 had found these skills | | | | The idea is to provide a statement which "does |
| on job specs and felt the need to include these | | | | what is says on the tin". |
| words in their CV. | | | | Conversely, we would not recommend |
| The problem with this theory is two fold: firstly, | | | | behavioural skills. The most commonly used |
| everyone does it and Recruiters are not stupid, | | | | phrases have become rather clichéd and include |
| they realise job seekers copy info from job | | | | the following: |
| specs regardless of whether they really have | | | | The ability to communicate at all levels of an |
| these skills or not; and secondly, the CV is not | | | | organisation; excellent communication skills; honest, |
| the vehicle for pushing behavioural competencies - | | | | reliable and trustworthy; hardworking; dynamic |
| that is what the interview is for! | | | | self-starter; can work in a team as well as an |
| Perhaps the confusion stems from the phrase | | | | individual; good attention to detail; can work under |
| "Personal Profile" which alludes to information | | | | pressure and to tight deadlines. |
| about one's personality. We would recommend | | | | |