Saturday, February 27, 2010

How to Write Curriculum Vitae

A curriculum vitae (CV), is a document that tells about a person's profile, education histrory, qualities and experience in professional world. A resume should always be impressive and accurate if the candidate wishes to make a positive impression. A resume is essential to find a new job or change a job. In some cases, it is even used to secure new clients. So how to make a resume for job? Let us take a look at it in detail.

How to Make a Resume for Job: Format

There is a standard resume layout which should be followed in order to make an accurate resume. This resume format is used and applicable in nearly all parts of the world. A resume can be handwritten or typed; however the latter is more impressive and formal. A resume should always be updated to the latest. The following is the proper resume format that will be helpful to you if you wish to know how to make a resume for job.
  • Name, address, contact number (e-mail ID if available)
  • Objective (optional)
  • Educational qualifications (degree and the name of university)
  • Relevant experience (job title, name of the company)
  • Extra curricular activities/other skills
  • Awards/honors
  • References (if required/optional)
Sometimes, the layout can vary according to the job. If a person wishes to make his/her resume more elaborate, he/she can add more professional details to it. However, it depends on the type of job one is seeking. In certain professions, a short and more professional resume is preferred. Photocopies of suitable certificates are attached with the resume or carried along during the interview.

Monday, February 22, 2010

The Usual Mistakes in Business Plans

1. Not proving that you have the management expertise to make it happen.
The quality of your people will lend credibility to your ideas and even to your financial projections. If your management team is not as strong as it could be, join forces with a great board of advisors.

2. Not demonstrating where your revenue will come from - what customers pay you and
why they pay you.
Don’t be too aggressive in setting revenue projections or you will undermine your credibility.

3. Not proving that your business model and long term cost structure is good enough to make a real profit. 
How will your business make money - what is your margin structure, what are your costs?

4. Not being clear enough in your product description to allow the reader to quickly see the need and the niche for this product. 
It may seem obvious to you, but not so to the reader not educated in your business.

5. Not proving that the market opportunity is big enough to get interested in. 
How big is your market now and what will it look like in 5 years?

6. Not adequately acknowledging your competition. 
Investors know that if there is no perceived competition, there may be no market for what you are offering. The better you can describe your competition, the better you understand your market, and the more likely you will dominate it.

7. Not writing for the target audience. 
Although the core is the same, the plan should be written for the perspective of banks, equity investors, and others. Go as far as you can to tailor each plan to the audience’s specific interests to show you’ve done your homework and know to whom you are talking.

8. Starting with a boring, unenthusiastic executive summary. 
This is the first section to be read, and if it isn’t exciting the rest may never be seen. Make it fun and be enthusiastic. It should stand alone and generate interest for more. It deserves all the thought you would put into a professionally done promotional piece for your customers.

9. Poor presentation. 
If you have typos and grammatical errors in your business plan, the reader will assume the work you do in your business is sloppy too.

10. Saying too much.
Keep the entire plan to a maximum of 30 pages, with an executive summary of 3 pages or less. If investors are interested, they will ask for any other information they need. Amateurs talk in the business plan about unimportant details because they don’t know what they should say and what they shouldn’t. Hire a professional editor to reduce the page count and help you emphasize your strengths.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Reducing Business Overhead


The term ‘business overhead’ refers to the general cost of running a business; this can include carrying an inventory, supplies, staff and premises. There are, however, a number of ways to cut the overheads of your small business. The biggest overhead for many small businesses is a business premises. If your small business is struggling or you are looking to significantly cut overheads then it is necessary to consider if your business actually needs a business premises. Is it possible that you could conduct your business from a home office? If your business thrives on passing trade and a business premises is unavoidable then consider whether you are getting the best value for money in the premises you are currently trading from. Could you rent smaller premises with better footfall for the same money? I absolutely advocate working from home as the best way to reduce overheads; but if this doesn’t work for you business make sure you are getting the best value for money from your business space.
Make sure you are getting the best deals from all you suppliers- right down to your electricity, broadband and gas bills. If your business has an inventory make sure you source the best suppliers at the right price, and don’t be afraid to haggle! If you are bulk ordering or placing regular orders business owners are often receptive to a deal being done.
Wages for staff are one of the main overheads a small business faces, and time really is money. Avoid taking on new staff where possible, and instead look at outsourcing functions, meaning that when times are hard you don’t have a wage to pay.
These key ways to reduce overheads should definitely ne considered when starting a business, or when a business goes through a time of financial hardship. It is important for every business, however, to keep an eye on the balance sheet and to make changes for the good of their business along the way.