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Q: C.V.. Resume. Cover letter... What should it have?
A rather obvious question... what do they need to have, particularly looking at a China context.
I've seen a few of my students' CV's, and personally, I don't like them.. so incredibly generic, to be automatically filed in the closest bin... except for the fact that generic (and boring) is virtually mandatory - it implies lack of ambition, and not a "trouble-maker" (ie, not someone to make the boss lose face).
However...
I usually do mine in a blue, Garamond font... blue is considered 'normal' to the eye because we use blue pens, but not typically seen when printed - thus, it stands out a little. Garamond isn't usually use as a font (usually, the san-serif fonts predominate - like this one (at least, that's what I see - standard fonts on computer).
I do put a photo - cos for a teacher, a face is important.
I include email address, but not other social media contacts.
I have nationality (d'uh!)
And education/qualifications (including those I haven't yet finished... ah... last semester!!! Finally!)
And relevant work experience... I leave out the stuff that I deem unrelated (same with qualifications - I have many, cos I've delved into quite a few different things)
For my resume (for some reason, I've never really liked 'CV' as a term), I also have a list of key attributes... occasionally, they get mentioned. And, if I can fit it into 2 pages, a list of hobbies (it creates a personal touch, and if I'm interviewed, often I will get asked about one or 2).
My cover letter almost always starts with something like "I have all of the skills and qualities you are looking for".
Any thoughts on how to build a good resume (with or without accent mark? 
) or CV?? What would work in China, what not?
(and why don't I get paid for this, as other posters obviously are? I mean, I even write an 'explanation' to go with my question...! )
8 years 14 weeks ago in Business & Jobs - China
If you're talking about CV posted here at eChina, I have simple one without too many details and any attachments- required things on it with mark in Intro letter
'I can't attach any files, because I'm not using Windowing OS on my puter. Please, reply to my email address, and I'll forward you my pic, Recommendation letters, diploma and all other required files.'
Then, I have detailed CV with Intro letter (short story about long living in USA, UK) and all files attached in my email box, which I forward it to the replies from the Schools to my email address.
Mostly, I deal with placement agents, so they all know me/have my CV already.
Schools/placement agents in China won't reply to your CV, if they aren't interested in your profile, for difference of the EU Schools, where you'll always/mostly get reply anyway with 'will keep your file in our record, and if opportunity arise, will contact you again.'
Reason of no replies isn't 'your CV is bad formatted', but they (China) don't reply, if they see 'no go' for some reason, and some job adverts are just 'cost building/no real need for FT' for tax-man purposes.
With this 'fact' in mind, when I look for the new position, I disregard all 'Native English Teacher only' advert's demands ('cause am not), and send my CV everywhere.
I don't pick favorite cities, either.
Big 'IMO' in the end of all this.
I don't like Chinese style CVs at all. They are like shopping lists, and you need to read 2 or 3 pages of stuff to get any information that could be useful.
Recently, a Chinese friend was made redundant from an Engineering job. I asked around and another mate was looking for an engineer. We went over the Chinese CV... no chance. Could not give him a job based on that. I totally rewrote it in a UK style ( UK company he was applying to), and he got the job.
I am a great believer in changing your CV to suit whatever particular job you are applying for. Not lying of course, but a bit of a re-shuffle.
First and foremost though, I reckon a CV has to say who you are, and what you can do for the company you want to work for. You need to research the company and tailor your CV to fit.
I daresay the same applies to educators, and wither you are applying for a school position or a language mill. I imagine the requirement for either would be subtly different.
One thing is for sure, if I sent out more than a couple of CVs and got no answer, I would be rewriting it.
If you're talking about CV posted here at eChina, I have simple one without too many details and any attachments- required things on it with mark in Intro letter
'I can't attach any files, because I'm not using Windowing OS on my puter. Please, reply to my email address, and I'll forward you my pic, Recommendation letters, diploma and all other required files.'
Then, I have detailed CV with Intro letter (short story about long living in USA, UK) and all files attached in my email box, which I forward it to the replies from the Schools to my email address.
Mostly, I deal with placement agents, so they all know me/have my CV already.
Schools/placement agents in China won't reply to your CV, if they aren't interested in your profile, for difference of the EU Schools, where you'll always/mostly get reply anyway with 'will keep your file in our record, and if opportunity arise, will contact you again.'
Reason of no replies isn't 'your CV is bad formatted', but they (China) don't reply, if they see 'no go' for some reason, and some job adverts are just 'cost building/no real need for FT' for tax-man purposes.
With this 'fact' in mind, when I look for the new position, I disregard all 'Native English Teacher only' advert's demands ('cause am not), and send my CV everywhere.
I don't pick favorite cities, either.
Big 'IMO' in the end of all this.
My CV is always the same, just update it and it incudes my data, working experience and perspectives (thats the only thing i change depending on the job).
But every application gets a custom tailord cover letter of 1 page. How i found the job, a brief introduction, why i am the best for the job, starting date, salary etc.
Chinese applications are just sad. Their photo is usually terrible unprofessionell, their cv style a mess and full of mistakes, their font and size just a pain.
Also mostly it doesnt come with a cover letter or even a short email introduction.
But i guess it fits their interview style - dont know anything and appear in a gym pant and other shitty clothes
