Need a CV? We can help.
We know how difficult it can be to find work as an asylum seeker in Cyprus. As a result, we provide job readiness services such as CV creation and interview practice to support you in your search for employment. Eddie, a summer intern with Caritas, gives individual one-hour CV appointments throughout the week (to book one please see our Weekly Schedule for Help Line hours).
Today, he is working with Daniel*, who has experience in kitchen services in his home country. The most important thing, Eddie says, is to carefully tailor the CV to the desired job type.
Today, he is working with Daniel, who has experience in kitchen services in his home country. They start by discussing Daniel’s employment history, which will help Eddie put together the “Relevant Experience” section of the CV. Speaking about one of the restaurants Daniel has worked at, Eddie asks him to talk about the difficult parts of the job and how he overcame these challenges. The aim here is to identify the aspects of Daniel’s previous work that make him well-qualified for employment in Cyprus.
As a kitchen manager, Daniel says that the work environment, “was very busy, and I needed to do things as fast as possible and I needed everyone to understand me.” By rewording this to “I gave clear instructions to ensure efficiency and fast turnover at this popular restaurant”, Eddie helps to summarise Daniel’s organisational achievement in a way that shows he would perform well in roles that require good time-management and planning.
They discuss Daniel’s other work experience in a similar way, identifying and highlighting key competences that may be transferrable to other jobs. Here, they identify organisation, communication and teamwork as some of Daniel’s main strengths, which are then added to the “Skills” section at the bottom of the CV.
Finally, Eddie asks about Daniel’s educational qualifications and the things he enjoys outside of work. Alongside his work experiences, these allow Eddie to craft a holistic picture of Daniel’s character and skillset that stands out to employers.
The most important thing, Eddie says, is to carefully tailor the CV to the desired job type.
– Cheyenne George
*Daniel’s name and personal details have been changed to protect his privacy.
Clipart provided by freepik.