Jon Larsson is thinking of a career move. He has read the job ads in the classified section of his newspaper and has started updating his CV in preparation for the application process.
- Read Jon’s biography from his personal webpage and answer the questions that follow.
Jon’s Homepage
Hi, I’m Jon Larsson. Welcome to my personal webpage.
I’m a 42 year-old Marketing Manager for a major multinational software company. I’m originally from Sweden, but have spent most of my life in the UK, so I’m bilingual (I also speak fluent Italian and French). I am currently living in Edinburgh, the beautiful capital of Scotland. However, I feel I need a new challenge in my life, both personally and professionally, so I have decided on a change of direction. I am interested in a fresh start abroad and in a new area of business – I’ve been working with computers for too long!
I have a great deal of experience in marketing having worked in this area for over 10 years. I planned and implemented projects which increased SoftFocus’s market share by 10%. I also restructured the Sales and Marketing Dept at Starsign and improved sales figures by 20%. I have a Diploma in Marketing from Glasgow University (1987) and an MBA completed online with Aston University (1998 -2000). I graduated from Aberdeen University in 1983 after successfully completing a 4-year BA in Economics and International Relations.
So, I have the experience, the qualifications, but not the job satisfaction. I feel it’s time I put my skills and knowledge to better use – for myself and for others. I’ve been very lucky in my career and I am financially secure, so a big salary in my next job is not the most important factor for me. The opportunity to travel and to experience something new and exciting is more attractive. I am not in a hurry to start a new job, I’d rather take my time to make the right decision.
It’s time to update my CV and scan the job ads in the newspapers and on the internet!
T/F
1.01 / Jon is happy with his current job.
1.02 / He has worked in computers for over 10 years.
1.03 / He made a significant difference to the profits of SoftFocus and Starsign.
1.04 / Jon is changing jobs for financial security.
1.05 / He wants to start a new job as soon as possible.
- Read this article from a business magazine about how to write an effective CV. What do the words in bold mean?
How to write an effective CV
Get yourself noticed. Get ahead of the competition. Get that job!
We asked 3 Human Resources managers with top organisations what they look for in a good CV. What gets you noticed and put on the shortlist and which CVs go straight to the Recycle bin!
This is what they said:
Clear layout. Use headings and keywords . / Don’t overuse formatting i.e. not too many different styles inBold,italics,underlining.
Concise writing style. / No long winded explanations and long sentences please.
Reverse chronological order i.e. most recent job listed first. If you have a long career history only include the last 8 to 10 years. If you are quite new to the job market, present any relevant experience / Don’t start with your first ever job.We’re more interested in your more recent experience.
Include RELEVANT educational background as well as work experience
Check your CV for spelling mistakes before you send it. / Don’t tell us about the swimming certificate you got at primary school! Keep it relevant and up to date.
Don’t leave gaps in your employment history.
References are really important. They should be professional references. / Do NOT use your best friend or a family member as a referee.
Be positive! Promote yourself! / Don’t undersell yourself!
Make your CV easy to read. A big company will receive hundreds of CVs for each job and the person reading them will only scan them quickly looking for keywords and information to match you to the jobrequirements. Make sure the reader doesn’t delete your CV.
- Use the headingsbelow to complete Jon’s CV.When you finish, can you suggest any improvements to help Jon update his CV? Is there anything he needs to add, change or remove?
Objective * Qualifications * Special skills
Curriculum Vitae Jon Larsson
1
Name:Jon Larsson
Date of Birth:20/05/1961
Address:16RingwoodGardens
2
A Marketing Director in a major software firm,SoftFocus Computers, seeking a fresh challenge in a
socially responsible organisation.
3
MBA - University of Brighton
Marketing Diploma – ACE Business School
BA in Business Administration – Eaton College
4
Sales Assistant Marketing Co-ordinator
Asst. Marketing ManagerMarketing Manager / Best ClothingCo.
Fiji Film Co.
Starsign Computers
SoftFocus Computers / August 1990 � May 1992
February 1995 � June 1995
June 1995 � January 1997
January 1997 � present
5
- Planned and implemented projects which increased SoftFocus’s market share by 10%.
- Restructured the Sales and Marketing Dept at Starsign and improved sales figures by 20%.
6
- Bi-lingual English/Swedish
- Fluent in Italian and French
7
Available on request
- Understanding Job advertisements
Read these job ads. Which posts does Jon have the qualifications and experience for?
Which job would be most suitable for him now? Why?
Job 1
Online Project Manager
Location:London
Salary:Very attractive salary + benefits
E-Market, a major online trading community, is looking for an Online Project Manager.
As part of an online marketing team, you will be responsible for acquiring newe-Marketusers. You will lead a team involved in planning and negotiating online deals. You will have a minimum of five years' experience in online planning at a media company.
If you feel you have the right experience for this role, please send your CV.
/ Job 2
GlobalAid
We are looking for a hard-working individual with a project development background to join our small but expanding team in an exciting and important environmental and conservation project.
You will be required to spend up to 6 months in your first year abroad, perhaps relocating to our project base in Kenya.
Financial rewards: limited!
Job satisfaction: unlimited!
Curriculum Vitae to: Personnel, GlobalAid
Job 3
Want to make a difference?
Feel undervalued and fed up
with your corporate life?
If you have the skills and experience but not the opportunity to use them in a positive way,Action Africacan offer you the opportunity to discover a more satisfying and rewarding working life.
We need people with experience of managing finances and a strong track record in project development to support a new aid project inAfrica. The post is based at our head office inLondon. Immediate start. E-mail/fax your CV now.
/ Job 4
Marketing Director
Location:Hong Kong
Salary:$45000-$55000 pa + benefits
Netway, ahighly successful Internet Company is looking for a Marketing Director to start ASAP.
As part of an online marketing team you will be responsible for strategy and online brand development
Ideally, you will have at least four years' experience in planning and buying and 5 years' experience negotiating deals and managing accounts for business development.
E-mail your résumé to:
- Read the advertisements again and decide if these statements are True or False.
T/F
3.01 / Global Aid is offering a good salary.
3.02 / Netwayis looking for someone to start very soon.
3.03 / Experience is not necessary for theAction Africapost.
3.04 / Global Aid wants someone who is prepared to move toAfrica.
3.05 / All the jobs request applicants to send a CV.
- Find the expressions in the ads with the same meaning as the expressions below?
3.06 / at least(Job1) / a minimum of
3.07 / moving to(Job2)
3.08 / Human Resources(Job2)
3.09 / in a foreign country(Job2)
3.10 / bored(Job3)
3.11 / as soon as possible(Job4)
KEY
T/F1.01 / Jon is happy with his current job. / F
1.02 / He has worked in computers for over 10 years. / F
1.03 / He made a significant difference to the profits of SoftFocus and Starsign. / T
1.04 / Jon is changing jobs for financial security. / F
1.05 / He wants to start a new job as soon as possible. / F
Curriculum Vitae Jon Larsson
1 / Personal Details
Name:Jon Larsson
Date of Birth:20/05/1961
Address:16RingwoodGardens Email?Phone number? Country of residence?
2 / Objective
A Marketing Director in a major software firm,SoftFocus Computers, seeking a fresh challenge in a socially responsible organisation.
3 / Qualifications
MBA - University of Brighton
Marketing Diploma – ACE Business School
BA in Business Administration – Eaton College
Date?
4 / Career History
Sales Assistant Marketing Co-ordinator
Asst. Marketing ManagerMarketing Manager
Duties and responsibilities? / Best ClothingCo.
Fiji Film Co.
Starsign Computers
SoftFocus Computers / August 1990 � May 1992
February 1995 � June 1995
June 1995 � January 1997
January 1997 � present
Order: most recent first.
5 / Achievements
- Planned and implemented projects which increased SoftFocus’s market share by 10%.
- Restructured the Sales and Marketing Dept at Starsign and improved sales figures by 20%.
6 / Special Skills
- Bi-lingual English/Swedish
- Fluent in Italian and French
7 / Referees
Dr Charles Runner Director, Sales and Marketing Starsign Computers
16RingwoodGardens
Edinburgh Scotland
e-mail:not necessary – Available on request
T/F
3.01 / Global Aid is offering a good salary. / F
3.02 / Netwayis looking for someone to start very soon. / T
3.03 / Experience is not necessary for theAction Africapost. / F
3.04 / Global Aid wants someone who is prepared to move toAfrica. / T
3.05 / All the jobs request applicants to send a CV. / T
3.06 / at least(Job1) / a minimum of
3.07 / moving to(Job2) / relocating
3.08 / Human Resources(Job2) / personnel
3.09 / in a foreign country(Job2) / abroad
3.10 / bored(Job3) / fed up (with)
3.11 / as soon as possible(Job4) / ASAP
CV Practical Task – page 1