1. Career path planning
CV writing and successful interviews
By / Mostafa Mohamedy
HR and Recruitment Specialist
M.Mohamedy
March 2013

2. Content:
1. How to write a successful CV
 CV Definition
 Different Types of CV
 CV Content
 How long should a CV be?
N.B: Kindly check the CV Templates attached with this document.
2. Job searching
 Be More Than Prepared.
 Use Job Search Engines
 Social networking sites
3. Interviews tips
 How to prepare for an interview
 In the interview
 After the interview
References:
Books:


Career Development and Planning- A Comprehensive Approach by Robert C. Reardon, Edition 4,
2012
Getting from College to Career: 90 Things to Do Before You Join the Real World by Lindsey Pollak,
2007
Websites:

Tips for a Successful Interview by K. Wolfe, J. Carroll and T. Blush 2010 Colorado State University
http://www.ext.colostate.edu
M.Mohamedy
March 2013

3. 1-How to write a successful CV
CV Definition:
A CV is the most flexible and convenient way to make applications. It conveys your
personal details in the way that presents you in the best possible light. A CV is a
marketing document in which you are marketing something: yourself! You need to "sell"
your skills, abilities, qualifications and experience to employers.
Different Types of CV:
Chronological: outlining your career history in date order, normally beginning with the
most recent items (reverse chronological) . This is the "conventional" approach and the
easiest to prepare. It is detailed, comprehensive and biographical with a good all-round
mixture of education and work experience.
Skills-based: highly-focused CVs which relate your skills and abilities to a specific job or
career area by highlighting these skills and your major achievements. Skills-based CVs
should be closely targeted to a specific job.
CV Content:
Personal details:
Normally these would be your name, address, date of birth, telephone number and
email. "Check the CV template"
A personal profile at the start of the CV can work for jobs in competitive industries such
as the media or advertising, to help you to stand out from the crowd. If used, it needs to
be original and well written.
Career Objective:
A career objective is a brief statement of your career direction or a specific career goal
that you would like to achieve. It is a personalized statement that clearly defines what
you want to achieve through your career path. And it’s your strength points it links your
goals to the key attributes sought by an employer or those necessary to perform well in
an occupation or industry sector.
M.Mohamedy
March 2013

4. They are not easy to write and there is no perfect style just be yourself but here are
some general guidelines:
1. Keep it brief – 2-4 sentences is usually enough
2. Personalize it
3. Be articulate about the nature of work you want to do, the field of work you are
interested in or categories or industries you prefer to work in
4. Tell the employer what you have to give as well as what you have to offer.
5. It can be long or short term in its' view
The career objective needs to be meaningful to add value to your written application
document. If your statements are too general, they do not convey much meaning to an
employer so avoid statements such as “a challenging position with a progressive
company that provides opportunity for advancement.
Work experience:



Use action words such as developed, planned and organized.
Even work in a shop, restaurant will involve working in a team, providing a
quality service to customers, and dealing tactfully with complaints. Don't
mention the routine, non-people tasks (cleaning the tables) unless you are
applying for a casual summer job in a restaurant or similar.
Try to relate the skills to the job. A finance job will involve numeracy, analytical
and problem solving skills so focus on these whereas for a marketing role you
would place a bit more emphasis on persuading and negotiating skills.
How long should a CV be?
There are no absolute rules but, in general, a new graduate's CV should cover no more
than two sides of A4 paper.
If you can summaries your career history comfortably on a single side, this is fine and
has advantages when you are making speculative applications and need to put yourself
across concisely. However, you should not leave out important items, or crowd your text
too closely together in order to fit it onto that single side. Academic and technical CVs
may be much longer: up to 4 or 5 sides.
M.Mohamedy
March 2013

5. 2. Job searching
Be More Than Prepared:
Before start searching for a job you have to identify first what you want to do in your
career and your career history write that in your CV Always keep it up-to-date CV ready
to send online or offline even if you are not currently looking for work. You never know
when an opportunity that is too good to pass up might come along. If you're not on
LinkedIn yet, create a LinkedIn Profile and start making connections that can help you
job search.
Use Job Search Engines:
Search the job search engines. Use the job search engine sites to search the major job
boards, company sites, associations, and other sites with job postings for you fast. You
will be able to search all the jobs posted online in one step.
Jobs by Email: Let the jobs come to you. Use job alerts to sign up and receive job listings
by email. All the major job sites have search agents and some websites and apps
specialize in sending announcements.
Social networking sites:
Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter can be a good way to get job listings
before they are listed elsewhere. Plus, you can promote your candidacy using the social
media tools that are readily available for free for job seekers and companies are
increasingly using social media for recruiting.
M.Mohamedy
March 2013

6. 3- Interviews tips:
How to prepare for an interview (Before the interview):
First of all do your homework:
1. General Questions
 What is the name of the interviewer(s)?
 Where will your interview be conducted? When and for how long?
2. Employment
 How long have they been in business? What goods or services do they provide?
How many employees do they have?
 Do you know any people who currently work there? If so, ask them how they like
working there.
 What will the responsibilities be? What skills and knowledge will you need to do
this job? Are there opportunities for increased responsibility or advancement?
 What are the expectations? Is this a full-time or a part-time job? Is the schedule
flexible and will it fit your other responsibilities?
Second:
If you want to be an exceptional candidate, then you need to do exceptional
preparation. Preparation is the number one thing that will set you apart from other
candidates. Prepare more study as much as you can read about the company review all
the information in your mind for the interview.
Also don’t forget the Dress code the first impression you make on a potential employer
is the most important one. The first judgment an interviewer makes is going to be based
on how you look and what you are wearing. That's why it's always important to dress
appropriately for a job interview just keeps it simple as much as you can.
M.Mohamedy
March 2013

7. In the interview:
Arrive early, about 10 to 15 minutes before your scheduled time. Make sure you know
how to get to the interview. If you are unsure of the location, make a trial run. Know
where to park and if you need change for a meter.
Calm your nerves by taking deep breaths. Maintain a positive attitude no matter how
you think the interview is going. Smile. Bring an extra copy of your resume, a fresh
notepad and a pen.
Greet the interviewer. Offer a firm handshake. Listen carefully for the interviewer's
name and title, if you don't already know them. Make and maintain eye contact. Be
friendly but not too casual. Speak in complete sentences, and use a formal vocabulary.
Don't fidget, chew gum, smoke or use slang during your interview.
Answer questions. Above all, be honest. You do not have to offer negative information,
but be sure you don't lie if asked directly.
Answer clearly and completely with enough information. Take a moment to think before
you respond to difficult questions. Organize your thoughts so you don't ramble. Remain
calm no matter what question is asked. Be tactful, courteous, sincere, polite and
knowledgeable about the organization and what you have to offer.
Conclude the interview. Thank the interviewer for the time spent with you. Ask when a
decision will be made, if that hasn't already been indicated.
After the interview:
Send a follow-up or thank you Email. Don't think you can skip it interviewers expect it.
Express your thanks for the interview and restate your interest in the opportunity. And
don't forget to check your interview result with them.
Mostafa Mohamedy
M.Mohamedy
March 2013