Comment: Building a CV (2)

In my previous comment column, I outlined the early stages of building a CV. I now focus on how to aim for that top corporate HR job – once graduation has come and gone.

The problem with being a new graduate is that there will generally be very little to put onto a CV outside your studies or the odd holiday job. Padding things out will generally not work. However, a voluntary activity or membership of a club where you have held a responsible position may help to impress an employer – as will, of course, any awards achieved. Do not be afraid to highlight aspects of your studies that have particularly engaged you – although take great care in the way this is expressed as it could look naïve or “trying too hard”.

A solid CV has no gaps or significant weak spots. Yes, it is OK to take time out after graduation to tour the world or experiment with various career paths, and some of these may well be artistic – serving a passion to play an instrument, going into interior design, or writing that novel in a cramped garret room. But if these pursuits do not go anywhere then getting back on track can be much harder than building a corporate HR-orientated CV from the outset.

These days it is not really an option to move on to a Master’s degree, but a necessity. The question is – should it be for an MBA or a subject speciality? MBAs will not generally be of any value unless there has been a significant period of experience in a professional or managerial job. If the gap between first and higher degree is three years or less, then a Master’s in HRM, law, finance, psychology, or even a second language will prove far more useful. It is also essential to spend time broadening your knowledge of the world. It is pointless trying to gain a position in a multinational company if your geographical awareness is poor. A good way to assess suitability for a Master’s degree and your current general knowledge can be found through this test.

The essential characteristic of a strong CV is that it shows sound personal qualities and a determination to succeed. In HR, of course, interpersonal skills are also key. Avoid at all costs successive periods as an intern and make sure any internship is with a prestigious organisation. Likewise, a succession of jobs, each lasting less than 18 months, indicates to a future employer that you cannot stick at anything for long, may have performed badly, or could have an unfortunate personality trait. Of course, being with one company for several years can eventually reduce your chances too of moving on – unless it is to a rival enterprise. Periods of employment in the public service will particularly reduce any chances of transferring into the private sector, especially if the service has been in local government.

In many countries men, and sometimes women, must undertake military service. On the whole it is better to get this out of the way before pursuing a career – as this will interrupt any later career building you will do. Regard military service (or any substitute activity) as an integral part of your career and note what you have learned. It should not be hidden away on a CV, but described as a useful opportunity for personal development.

A CV for someone five years or more into their career must have achieved a certain shape. People generally move up hierarchies because they look like people suited for more senior positions. I once employed a law graduate who was every bit a high court judge in the making. Sure enough, they left to train as a barrister and learnt very quickly how to fraternise in judicial circles. Generally you become what you look like becoming. But this does not mean that you are unsuited to less responsible tasks. If you have to undertake administrative tasks, for instance, do them ultra efficiently and suggest improvements. The trick is to avoid sycophancy, but get noticed. Keep on the radar of those two levels above you without undermining your immediate manager.

There is no need to become the workaholic, but being later than others to work and sticking closely to weekly contractual working hours (however flexibly) places a huge question mark over your commitment. One defining characteristic of a future corporate star is someone who clearly cares about their company, is a bit of a perfectionist and not only reads their emails out of normal working time, but answers urgent communications whatever the hour.

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