BIODATA, RESUME AND CURRICULUM VITAE

BIODATA, RESUME AND CURRICULUM VITAE

There are three terms used and described as under:

(1) Bio-data
Bio-data is a paragraph summary of who a person is and can be written for any purpose whatsoever.

(2) Resume
A resume is a statement containing specific information relating to education, training, and experience. It is usually a single page and is used for applying for a job.

(3) Curriculum Vitae
Curriculum Vitae is like a resume but it may be much longer spreading into 3 to 4 pages.
The above definitions bring out the subtle differences between the various terms used. However, in India, they are being used almost interchangeably. In this Unit, the term resume has been used.
The word resume has two popular connotations:

(i) Resume as a noun
It is even pronounced differently. It stands for a detailed bio-data, personal record sheet or curriculum vitae.

(ii) Resume as a verb
It means restart. Job hunting or job change should be thought of as a process of giving a restart to ones‟ life and working career. The concerned person must remember that the resume is not about his past job. It is about writing all about self so that he can give a fresh start to his working life. It must talk about the person and his accomplishments as would fit the requirements of a job he is applying. It should highlight his personality and focus on how well he was equipped to perform the future job.
A resume is the most important document a person creates for himself. It should be available with him all the time. It must be revised and updated from time to time – perhaps once in six months in the prime years of his working life. It is everybody‟s duty to plan his career in such a way that he can add something more exciting and more topical to his resume in line with the contemporary needs of business and industry.

When resumes are mailed unsolicited to possible employers, these are also scanned quickly by the persons concerned – they skim through the resume in 1 – 2 minutes. It means that resume should be as brief as possible so that it can attract the attention of the quick readers. One of the most difficult tasks is to secure an appointment for an interview - that is the first and very important step in getting recruited. Good resumes pave the way for the interview.

Someone has compared resume with a bouquet of flowers. Every blossom should be chosen with a lot of care and every flower should be set in a way that adds to the beauty of the bouquet.
Thus learning to write a resume is a very skillful job. Each job one applies for may require fine-tuning of the resume to suit. Experience has proved that although a considerable effort is required for turning out a brief but attractive resume, it is very rewarding to individuals. It can propel applicants on a faster trajectory of career progression.