Job Discussion Forums

Monikamonika · Posted: Sat May 08, 2004 2:12 pm Post subject: CV or resume? What length?

Hello all,

I've been reading this forum for months and thank you all for the great info!

My question is about a resume vs. a cv. for Mexican employers. I have a vita that is 5 pages long including academic and professional accomplishments (though just 2 yr. aggregate experience in ESL, most experience is in teaching college level theatre) .

Should I deep six all the academic hupla which is mostly in general theatre and playwriting and keep it a simple one pager?

I will be applying to universities and colleges that have an English language component in curriculum first and then, if no luck, I'll try private language schools.

Many thanks for your help,

M

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

The rule of thumb used to be one page for each ten years of experience. I think that's a reasonable length. When you submit a resume--or a cv--you are, after all, asking the person with hiring responsibility to read it. It's better not to get off on the wrong foot by expecting the person to read your life story....

Monikamonika · Posted: Sat May 08, 2004 10:32 pm Post subject:

Yeah, but in academia they love reams and reams of paper in the deans' offices -- it's different than the corporate or private business world.

Just wondering if the same holds true Mexico -- thanks for the thought.

inmexico · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 110 Location: The twilight zone

Many employers specifically ask for 2 pages max. - especially when e-mailing.

MO39 · Posted: Sun May 09, 2004 2:43 am Post subject: Length of resumes

My source in Mexico City advised me to make my resume as long and detailed as I can, when applying for teaching jobs. I think we can rely on this advice since he has taught English in Mexico for over 25 years, including several years spent running his own language institute.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

About two days ago I did an interview with a Mexican school's DOS. She told me she was taking a serious look at 20 resumes for one position.

I think if I were the one doing the hiring I would want the resumes to be as short and concise as possible. If the resume caught my atttention, I'd put it in the small pile for phone interviews. After looking at a dozen resumes I'd think my eyes would start to glaze over and I wouldn't bother paying a lot of attention to details on page 4 or 5 of any resume....

KISS - Keep It Short and Sweet.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

MO39 · Posted: Sun May 09, 2004 5:06 pm Post subject:

Ben/Tim,

Thanks for your amendment to my friend's advice. "Long and detailed" "within reason" might have been a better way to say it. I have managed to whittle my 58 years of life and work experience to about three pages of tersely-worded prose.

MO39

MELEE · Posted: Mon May 10, 2004 11:03 pm Post subject: Re: CV or resume? What length?

basiltherat · Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952

I have 2 CVs. One (2 pages long) which is brief, at the end of which I mention that a full, more detailed CV is also available if required. This longer one includes a statement of support and other stuff which stretches it to 6 pages. Its worked for me and generally the brief one is sufficient. My tuppence worth, anyway
regards
basil

Gringo Greg · Posted: Tue May 11, 2004 1:35 pm Post subject: I agree

I agree with having both a resume and a CV. I have a very simple resume when I am fishing for positions, it is bullet style and only hits on highlights of my education and teaching experience. It fits easily on one page. I keep a more detailed CV for jobs that I am actually applying for. It seems to be working for me.