how to write a good cv for finalist especially

Increase your
chances of getting
the job of your
choice
Edna Sempeho
Rotary Club of Dar es salaam Mzizima
HR Manager – Songas Limited
What we will cover:
• What is a CV?
• Why write a CV?
• When do you write a CV?
• Difference between good and bad CV writing
• How to present your CV
• Key tips for CV writing
• Significant factors to consider for successful interviews
• Job hunting tips
What is a CV?
A general description of
your knowledge,
experience and skills
related to the job you
are applying to
Types of CVs
• Chronological
Highlights the areas
of study usually
starting with most
recent
• Skills based
Highlights the proven
abilities and skills
acquired over time
Why CV writing?
To generate an
interview
Why CV writing?
Not an opportunity to narrate your life history
When do you write a CV?
• Responding to an advert
• Forward to recruitment firms/websites
• Speculative application
Bad CV writing
• No specific target
• First page does not have any relevance to
the reader
• Too many pages
• Spelling mistakes, bad selection font type
and sizes
• Skills, experiences and achievements not
clearly outlined
• Inconsistent structure
Good CVs
• Structure is neat and organized: easy to
read
• Accurate is spelling, content and grammar
• Maximum 2 A4 pages
• Informative and concise : In 10 seconds
the CV translates the past experiences to
match the job being applied for
Example bad CV
Curriculum Viti
Address
P.O. Box 123
Dar es salaam b123@funkyorbits.ac
Tanzania
Nationality: Tanzanian
Date of birth: 12 December 1987
Personal Statement:
I have good team working and communication skills. I would like job in business
Education
St Mary Primiary school 1990-1997
St Mary Secondary School – 1998-2002
St Mary High School – 2003-2004
Example bad CV
University of Dar es salaam – 2005 – 2008 ( BA Hons)
Working Experience
May 2006 – August 2006 – Internship Songas Limited, Accounts Department
Hobbies:
Swimming, watching television, reading
Skills
- Computer skills
• French speaking
Others:
I have won several swimming competition awards
References
Dr. Solomon Bauer
Vice Chancellor
UDSM
P.O. Box 34980
Dar es salaam
Example good CV
ANASTACIA SOLOMON
P.O.BOX 123 DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA, E-mail: asolomon@gmail.com, Anytime Phone: + 255787345876
Personal Statement
I am a talented, hard working graduate accountant, with specialization in taxation and auditing. I have sufficient
and working knowledge on the Tanzania tax laws and audit requirements. I envision to work in a business that
offers me the challenge and opportunity to further explore my talent and ambition in this area.
Education
BA, Accounting and Finance, University of Dar es salaam – May 2006 – May 2008
Key area of study: Tax Laws, Audit Laws, Business Management, Bank Reconciliation, Tax and audit processes
Division 1 - A Level Certificate of Completion, St. Mary’s High School - January 2003 – December 2005
Area of study: Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics
Example good CV, cont’d
Working Experience
May 2006 – August 2006, Songas Limited, Intern Student in the Accounts Department, reporting
to the Accounting Supervisor
Songas is a gas to electricity firm in Tanzania and produces and sells electricity worth 190MW to
Tanesco.
Key responsibilities:
- To file tax returns
- Prepare cheques
- Assist in the mid year audit preparation
Key achievements:
Within the internship time, I was able to assist in the development of a communication flow chart
during the audit process, for the company.
Example good CV, cont’d
Working Experience
January 2008 – present, Kiwale Children’s Home, Volunteer Accountant reporting to the Country
Manager
Kiwale Children’s home is an orphanage taking care of 200 children of the Kinondoni area.
Key responsibilities:
- Prepare monthly financial reports
- Develop periodic bank statements
- Assist in development of Financial Manual for the NGO
Key achievements:
To date, I have been able to assist the company to recover Tshs 3,000,000.00 from
mismanagement
Example good CV, cont’d
Hobbies:
Travelling, keeping updated with world economy trends, visiting children’s home
Skills and competencies:
1. Working knowledge in Microsoft office word and excel
2. Basic language skills in French ( speaking only)
3. Driving: I am in possession of a clean and valid class D license
Other Training courses attended:
World Economy Trends by CDE Bank in Dar es salaam, August 2008
References:
Mr. Augustine Swai
Head of Accounting, Songas Limited
email: hoa@songas.co.tz
Presenting your CV
• Attach a cover letter to it
• If you are emailing it make sure you send
it as a word attachment ( not large) –
cover letter is the body of your email
• If hand/post delivery do not fold it, let it be
in a A4 envelop
• Address it to the right person
• Make sure it is clean and not cramped
Tips for good CV writing
• Know yourself
• Know your goals
• Believe yourself
• Sell yourself
• Be creative
• Relate the skills to the job
• Criticize your own CV
• Improve your
communication skills

Purpose of interviews
The purpose of a job
interview is for you to
get to know each
other and find out
whether there's a
good fit of skills,
experience and
attitude.
Types of interviews
• Tests: psychometric, aptitude
• Face to face interviews
• Telephone interviews
• Assessment Centers
What are recruiters looking for?
The right attitude, skills and knowledge that
fits the company culture and job
requirement
Why do companies exist?
• Make more profits
• Sell more
• Become more efficient
• Get more customers
• Beat competition
• Improve customer
satisfaction
• Enter new markets
• Drive higher quality

Employability skills
Employability:
Ability of getting and keeping a satisfactory job
Employability skills:
A set of achievements, understandings and
personal attributes that make an individual more
likely to gain employment and to be successful
in their chose occupation
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/sk/skillsintro.htm
Key employability skills
1. Leadership: cooperating with others, planning,
organizing and decision making
2. Teamwork: persuasion, collaboration, involvement and
participatory
3. Communication: verbal ( assertive), written ( logical,
precise and clear)
4. Initiative: working under minimal supervision, proactiveness,
thinking on your feet
5. Flexibility: change management
6. Enthusiasm: go getter, self driven, positive attitude
7. Problem solving: open minded
The interview meeting
• Prepare yourself, arrive
on time
• Select what to wear
• Maintain eye contact
• Greet with a firm, warm
and friendly grip
• Keep your palms visible
• Keep your chin up,
shoulders out, straight
back
The interview meeting, cont’d
• Avoid negative body language:
– Defensiveness
Crossing your arms
– Boredom
Feet tapping, looking down, slouching, head resting in hands
– Nervousness
Locked ankles, fidgeting, playing with hair, biting nails
– Arrogance/Over Confidence
Brisk and erect walk, hands clasped behind head
– Aggression
Hands on hips, angry gestures including banging fists on tables
and pointing
– Doubt
Rubbing eyes or nose
The interview meeting, cont’d
• Close the interview
professionally
• Follow up with a
thank you note
Common interview questions
Enjoy your interview
• Be passionate
• Interview the
interviewer
• Be yourself
• Keep time
• Work on your image
Job hunting tips
• Network
• Recruitment firms
• Read newspapers
• Volunteer for jobs; keep yourself busy
• Meet company expectations
Thank you
e.k.semiti@gmail.com