The following advice could be put into the ‘oldie but a goodie’ category. In our line of work, one of the most frequently asked question is about that all important document; ‘the CV’. Much is written on the topic of CV’s - yet at this time of year it is very worthwhile providing our view of what makes a good CV.
Why?
Well, our clients are pretty hot on seeing a good CV.
Your CV reflects your professionalism - please use an appropriate email address (you may need to create a new one for job searching) otherwise you may not be taken seriously.
Your CV tells the reader how you impacted on the businesses you were employed in.
It is the document that helps you stand out from the crowd; to be seriously considered and ultimately interviewed!
Your CV should be updated every 3 – 6 months and should contain NO spelling or grammar mistakes!
Following on we have a sample CV format that works.
We received this CV recently and decided to share it with you because, in a nutshell, the candidate has got it right when it comes to conveying their skills and experience.
We have made comments in RED to show you what we mean…
NOTE: ensure layout is simple and easy to read. DO NOT include a photo.
SAMPLE CV FORMAT
Name
Address
Contact details
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
(these are the skills YOU possess that come with you as part of your package!)
The ability to retain information and pass it on to others in an effective and understanding manner
Leadership courage
Integrity
Approach and complete all tasks with emphasis on attention to detail
Confidence to think independently and take required actions
Ability to recognize and satisfy the needs of team members and the business
The ability to rise to any challenge and to exceed set targets on both a personal and company level
Excellent organizational skills
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Aptitude for adapting and changing in new environments and situations
Ability to communicate and build rapport with a wide variety of people
A strong determination to succeed
Self motivation skills, with a desire to achieve quality and excellence
An appreciation for different lifestyles, values and perspectives
NOTE: The best way to represent your work history is to use C.A.R. as a format…
i.e. state the Challenge, Actions and Results – see examples below:
Co. name
Title of role
February 2008 – November 2009
As a member of the xxx Team, I was assigned with developing, maintaining my defined territory while communicating the company’s strategies and business opportunities. I was responsible for the provision and management of business growth and marketing opportunities for my customers.
Key Responsibilities:
Preparation and implementation of monthly sales and marketing plans
Management of monthly sales budgets and growth targets
Implementation of NPD marketing strategies
Business development plans with customers to assist with meeting growth and business strategy expectations
Implementation of national marketing strategies
Development and implementation of territory marketing and business strategies
Preparation of weekly and monthly sales forecasting and reporting
Management of Territory Merchandiser
Customer satisfaction - meeting and exceeding customer demands and business requirements
Key account management – implementation of marketing activity and promotional sell in/sell thru with key account banner groups
Customer acquisition and retention
Achievements and Additional Responsibilities:
100% Customer retention – maintaining all existing customers during the implementation of xxx into New Zealand FMCG (xxxxxx)
Management of 233 customers (pharmacies and health food stores), with a $2.5 million annual sales budget with 17% sales growth, year on year
Management of territory throughout company merger between xxxxxx Consumer and xxxx Consumer, during which my portfolio of products expanded to include an OTC range, on top of the current xxxxx Health brands
Management of territory Merchandiser, ensuring customers requirements were being delivered on time and promotions were marketed appropriately in stores
Co. Name Limited
Assistant Category Manager / Marketing Executive
October 2006 – December 2007
As a member of both the Merchandise and Marketing Teams, I was assigned to delivering marketing concepts and sales-generating ranges to the Life banner stores. I worked within both teams coordinating the marketing concepts from initial development through to implementation of products and promotions in xxx stores, and ensuring merchandise and marketing activities in stores meets the requirements of company business plans.
Category Management:
New Product/range research and implementation [including marketing strategies]
Category and brand reviews
Development and implementation of brand and marketing strategies with key supplier partners
Implementation of business plan strategies
Research and implementation of pricing strategies
Competitor analysis
Promotional analysis
Trading Terms and Promotional Rebates
Management of supplier relationships
Development and implementation of Planograms
New store developments / fit outs
Current store re-developments
Maintenance of Product Master File
Negotiation of offers, pricing strategies and promotional assistance [from suppliers]
Coordination of company promotional programme
Coordination of promotional Point of sale
Development of new/alternative supplier opportunities
Coordination of promotional stock ordering
Marketing Executive:
Development and management of Digital Signage network and Web Banner network
Website Maintenance – in coordination with Marketing Manager
Assistance to Marketing Manager and Marketing Executive
Catalogues, Magazines, Living Card eCRM – pricing strategies, negotiation of offers with suppliers
Coordination of Point of Sale for marketing and promotional events
Development and coordination of weekly Marketing Communications
Organisation of annual Company Conference
Achievements and Additional Responsibilities
Organisation and implementation of the 2007 xxxx Annual Conference – a three day event including 89 xxxx team members and 250 key supplier partners, including a Black Tie Charity Event for 350 persons, in conjunction with Cure Kids.
Project management of buying strategy and in store implementation/fit out for xxxx Albany
Development of marketing processes and procedures during the implementation of new marketing concepts and strategies, managing the coordination of all parties involved in the projects
(Following: a good example of how to represent contract positions)
Co. Name
Executive Assistant to Auckland Regional Managers
Short Term Contract
May 2006 – September 2006
In this role I supported two regional managers (Technical and Donor) with all aspects of their roles, including diary management, project coordination, general administration and meeting management. I was also charged with the management of the office administration team which included 4 full time employees, ensuring work was allocated appropriately, completed in a timely manner and full assistance was provided to all staff and management within the Donor and Technical teams.
Co. Name
Commercial Buyer
Short Term Contract
February 2006 – April 2006
As the Commercial Buyer, I was assigned responsibility for the purchasing and management of all requirements for the Security Division. I also held responsibilities for managing the budgets and forecasts for this division, reporting to the Division Manager; ensuring projects did not exceed targeted values.
Co. Name
Operations Assistant
Short Term Contract
October 2005 – January 2006
Working directly within one of xxxxs warehouses, I was assigned responsibility for managing all incoming and outgoing stock and ensuring orders were accurate and sufficient for the needs of the distribution channel. Reporting directly to the Operations Manager, I was responsible for managing the change out of products within the warehouse as the merger and re-distribution of xxxxx was completed.
Co. Name
Assistant Category Manager - Retail
January 2005 – October 2005
The Retail Division was assigned to the development and maintenance of retail products and sales with the xxxx New Zealand network, using promotional activities and researched ranging opportunities. I was assigned with assisting the Retail Divisional Manager with re-establishing the retail division within xxxx NZ stores, and coordinating projects between the retail category managers.
Key Responsibilities:
Development of Category-specific marketing strategies and coordination of marketing/promotional offers
Promotional and marketing analysis
Development, implementation and maintenance of point of sale methods
Development of pricing strategies
Competitor analysis
Coordination of retail planograms
Involvement in category range reviews
Seasonal range change out / implementations
Personal Assistant to Retail Divisional Manager
Coordination with Warehousing Management
Development, implementation and maintenance of Clearance programme
Development, implementation and maintenance of weekly communications network
Coordination of promotional manuals
Achievements and Additional Responsibilities
Implementation and maintenance of weekly network communication, creating transparency between xxxx head office and network of stores
Development of Car Audio range change out process and implementation of supplier change outs with the network of xxxx stores throughout New Zealand.
Development of promotional communication manual to ensure store participation and compliance with marketing concepts and strategies initiated by the business
Development and implementation of Clearance Programme, (including concept development, marketing strategies and stock management) selling $5 million of discontinued stock in the first 3 months of implementation
Co. Name
Assistant Buyer – Whiteware and Communication
March 2003 – December 2004
As a member of the Technology division, I reported directly to the Senior Buyer, and was assigned with responsibility for the management of category marketing, in conjunction with project managing range developments and category reviews.
Key Responsibilities:
Coordination of category related marketing activity
Analysis of sales forecasting, budgets and KPIs
Category and range reviews
Research and implementation of pricing strategies
Development and implementation of marketing and brand strategies in conjunction with key supplier partners
Promotional analysis
Sales analysis and reporting
Development and maintenance of key supplier relationships
Warehouse stock maintenance
Store / customer complaints
New store developments – planogramming, marketing strategies, pricing strategies, merchandising
Store upgrades – re-development of ranges, merchandising
Achievements and Key Responsibilities:
Project lead for the re-invention of Communications category in conjunction with Account Manager for Vodafone, across xxxx stores nationwide. This project included full range reviews and change outs, new instore refits of Vodafone stands and the development of marketing strategies to provide growth to the category
Communications category growth from $6million - $12million in a 10 month period from November 2003
Development of key Christmas marketing strategies for Communications category – lead to dramatic increase in sales of 47% against previous year sales, for Nov 03 – Jan 04
Project lead for the implementation of the Whirlpool range into Farmers. This project included management of marketing and merchandise functions, negotiations with supplier and post implementation reporting.
BUSINESS / TECHNOLOGY SKILLS
Apollo Space Management
Toniq Corporate
Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher
Lotus Notes
Aztec Data
ITS Data
Jigsaw StayinFront CRM
JD Edwards
EDUCATION
Auckland University of Technology
Bachelor of Business with Marketing Major
In Progress – started 2007
Papers completed:
(if an incomplete degree)
Environment of Business
Business Information Management
Globalisation and Business Enterprise
Managing Business Relationships
Marketing Research
NZIM Leadership and Negotiation Training
Completed 2007
