What is an online CV? How does it differ from an ordinary CV?

An online CV is a CV which is written to be uploaded in the Cyber Space. There are a lot of differences between the regular CV and the electronic CV as it is commonly known and this is because it has another medium of transmission, i.e. the computers. Hence, when you are writing for computer you need the ground rules for that domain:

• 1. Length - CVs need to be crisp and short; most of the times the electronic CV is a door-card; if the companies/ placement agencies like what they see they will get back to you for details
• 2. Compatibility - your CV should be uploadable on any computer - old or new - so do not use the latest technology in typing it lest you will frustrate those using older versions of the software
• 3. Format - as per the point made above, the formatting also needs to be in the simplest form so as not to create problems of compatibility; hence the CV should be uploaded in plaint text format or ASCII
• 4. Visibility - In order to be 'seen' on the internet you need to use specific (to the job you want to attract) keywords; keywords are the way you 'highlight' important things in your CV
• 5. Keywords - Using keywords appropriately will increase your visibility with the employer manifold. You should first understand that keywords are the means by which a prospective employer searches for an appropriate CV. Hence, you should know how to use these correctly to bring optimum effects
• a. Use keywords and phrase keywords that are specific to (i) skill set, (ii) industry, (iii) experience and (iv) job
• b. Add a great number of different types of keywords as any of the relevant keyword may attract your CV for perusal
• c. Use extremely descriptive and sharp keywords (for best selection, think what would you type in the search bar if you were looking for the job you are applying for; make a lit of all the words that come to your mind, and then try to incorporate as many as you can in the CV without spoiling its informative backbone)
• 6. Content - your online CV should contain in the one-and-half pages your name and coordinates (include a website if you have a good one), a job title by which mostly your CV will be searched (such as excellent secretary, experienced civil engineer, fast and accurate decoder, etc), profile of your skills, experience, education, additional skills - all of these should be written in reverse chronological order. Be as brief as you can. If the summary is good, the employer will contact you