One page summary CV and when to submit it
Many times organizations will ask for a one-page summary CV. This means that they need to know only the matter which is strictly relevant to the job they are offering and hence you need to keep this in mind when you write your CV. The one page summary CV is a perfect letter of introduction when large companies invite for recruitment. In this case a great number of CVs will be received and the person who will need to short-list the CVs will have very little time to peruse the resume - sometimes as little as 6 seconds only. In this case, a brief and to-the-point one page summary resume would be ideal.
A one-page summary CV will also be a good idea when you are sending a speculative request for a job, i.e. when you apply to a company for any suitable opening. A brief cover letter explaining you plus points and preferences followed by a summary CV would gain you enough curiosity to be called for an interview, if vacancies exist.
What should be included in the one-page summary CV?
- 1. Educational qualification (with the highest degree mentioned first) - written in tabular form to take the least space without compromising on information
- 2. Experience (in reverse chronology) highlighting those aspects which are the best match for the job you are applying
- 3. Important and job-pertaining extra skills (technical or soft skills or both) - mention here only those skills which can add value to your CV and not everything you did from college till date
- 4. Personal details (remember to include only those particulars which are strictly necessary)
Keep in mind that when you are required to write a one-page summary resume - it should be just that, i.e. a summary. Not only it should be as brief as possible, it should also be as perfectly matched as possible to be effective. In order to write this successfully, first make a list of all the qualities and skills you possess on a piece of paper. Also draw up a list of what skills/ qualities the job for which you are applying would need. Identify those skills which are the closest matches and cut out the rest.
Concentrate to cover the best part of the paper with your educational qualifications, skills and experience, keeping the least space for the personal details which should be limited to the must-have-information level only.
Whether you need to submit a one-page resume or a two-page CV, always ensure that it has a cover letter which:
- 1. is addressed to the right person (by name and/or designation)
- 2. has a subject line where the post applied for is clearly mentioned (in case it is a speculative CV, then indicate your preference such as marketing department, or backend office, or R&D department, etc)
- 3. is types in the same type set as the CV
- 4. gives a brief introduction to self and explains the reasons why you are applying for the job
- 5. is friendly and invites attention to the CV
- 6. expresses clearly a sincere wish to join the company in a suitable capacity
