Episode: 1

                 Curriculum vitae (CV) is a parallel life cycle in English, usually abbreviated as CV. Various CV formats are common, primarily requested for institutional needs where individuals are expected to provide a CV or curriculum vitae. Creating a CV for you is very important. This is an essential skill not only for job seekers but also applies to writing letters, applications, or life stories. The ability to create a CV is fundamental; it reflects the ability to manage work effectively. If a job seeker can't articulate their own CV, it may cast doubt on their ability to handle other responsibilities. Designing one's CV is a minimum prerequisite, especially for students, to develop vital life skills.

Commercial outlets often produce 1 or 2-page CVs. New entrants (apprentices, novices) usually start with an extensive 5-page CV, while experienced professionals or highly qualified individuals (experts, masters) tend to use a more concise 3/4-page format. Additionally, commercial computer stores tend to produce marriage or family contact CVs. The significance lies in the fact that mastering CV creation is a valuable and admirable skill.

It is common practice to create and use a CV downloaded from the Internet, which offers a variety of formats online. However, it is recommended to create it locally on a personal computer. CV formatting holds great significance for job aspirants facing stiff competition from a plethora of talented individuals employing different techniques, ideas, abilities, and creativity.

Interviewers are exceptionally skilled and able to determine whether the CV is authentically written by the applicant or taken from a store or the internet through copy-paste. There is no shame in this difference, as it depends on personal wishes and preferences. Countless people secure jobs by emphasizing the importance of creating their curriculum vitae based on a personally crafted CV. A CV is more than a mere biographical sketch; It is the outward projection of one's personality.

The essence of a 2-page CV, representing a candidate potentially investing 20-30 years in a job "if accepted," underscores its paramount importance. In essence, a 2-page CV encapsulates the act of 'selling oneself' in the competitive job market.

Categories within a Curriculum Vitae (CV) include:

1. Contact Information: Includes your name, address, phone number, email, and possibly social media profiles like LinkedIn.
2. Summary or Objective: A brief statement summarizing your career goals, professional achievements, and what you bring to the table.
3. Professional Experience: Details of your work history, including job titles, company names, dates of employment, and a description of your responsibilities and accomplishments in each role.
4. Education: Information about your educational background, including degrees earned, institutions attended, relevant coursework, certifications, and academic achievements.
5. Skills: Highlights both technical and soft skills relevant to the job, such as programming languages, project management, communication skills, etc.
6. Certifications and Licenses: Any additional certifications, licenses, or professional development courses completed that are pertinent to your field.
7. Awards and Honors: Recognition or awards received for your work, academic achievements, or contributions to your field.
8. Publications/Presentations: List any publications, research papers, articles, or presentations you've authored or contributed to.
9. Volunteer Work or Extracurricular Activities: Details about your involvement in community service, volunteer work, or any relevant extracurricular activities.
10. Languages: Proficiency in languages spoken or written, especially if it's beneficial for the role you are applying for.
11. Hobbies/Interests: Optional section showcasing personal interests or hobbies that may provide additional insight into your personality or skills.
12. References: Typically "References available upon request." Avoid including actual references unless explicitly asked by the employer.

Things not to do in Curriculum Vitae (CV). Here are guidelines on what to avoid in a Curriculum Vitae (CV):

• Avoid excessive use of color bars, bullet points, underlining, and bold or italic fonts as they tend to distract rather than enhance the content.
• Refrain from incorporating casual social media-style images if they lack a professional context.
• Unless explicitly requested, avoid scanning and attaching handwritten signatures to your CV.
• Ensure accurate entry of current contact details, particularly a reliable personal cell phone number for immediate contact upon CV approval.
• Never fabricate or misrepresent educational or job qualifications in your CV.
• Avoid adding unnecessary extra pages to the CV.
• Use a stapler pin instead of adhesive to attach documents unless otherwise instructed.
• Strive to make your CV distinct from others, showcasing individuality while maintaining professionalism.
• Carefully fold the CV to fit an envelope by folding from both sides and then three times in the middle, ensuring it matches the envelope size for easy insertion and removal.
• Prior to submission, seek feedback from experienced individuals, correcting any significant errors and ensuring quality presentation. Provide accurate sender and receiver information on a well-packaged envelope.

These pointers aim to refine the CV presentation while ensuring accuracy and professionalism in its content and delivery.

The significance and demand for typewritten Curriculum Vitae (CVs) are steadily waning due to the emergence of digital jobs in the global marketplace. Platforms like "LinkedIn," "Upwork," "Freelancer," and others allow individuals to craft their profiles and portfolios. The quality of work on these websites often surpasses expectations, fulfilling official requirements even when profiles are minimally completed, making digital CVs or profiles the norm for most companies. This transition marks a cutting-edge shift, progressively elevating the importance of creating timely and standardized profiles.

Just as traditional postal letters have phased out, paper CV submissions are poised to follow suit due to the dominance of online profiles. This impending reality isn't too distant!

Furthermore, apart from creating personal CVs or profiles, the opportunity to update or create others' CVs or company profiles in the freelancing realm can yield substantial earnings ranging from a minimum of 500 to 5000 taka per hour. The ability to monetize the creation of such profiles is no secret in today's world. It's a small effort with significant prospects, offering the chance to earn, whether as a part-time or full-time endeavor.

Hence, investing time and attention to meticulously craft one's Resume, Curriculum Vitae, or profile holds personal benefits without profit-sharing. This seemingly minor task for a job or business can bring honor and multifaceted advantages. Once committed, the results will gradually manifest, ensuring a lifetime of fulfillment. Embrace the journey and relish its rewards endlessly!

A common job CV and a smart CV differ significantly in their approach, content, and presentation.

A traditional job CV typically follows a standard format, presenting a chronological list of work experiences, educational qualifications, skills, and contact details. It usually adheres to established norms without much emphasis on innovation or tailored content. This type of CV aims to showcase a candidate's professional history, skills, and qualifications in a straightforward manner.

On the other hand, a smart CV goes beyond the conventional structure by focusing on personal branding, creativity, and adaptability. It's tailored to catch the attention of employers or recruiters in a competitive job market. A smart CV integrates modern design elements, visual aesthetics, and strategic content placement to make it more visually appealing and impactful.

Here are the key differences between a normal job CV and a smart CV:

1. Design and Visual Appeal: A smart CV utilizes innovative design elements, such as infographics, color schemes, and layouts, to stand out visually, while a traditional CV often follows a basic, standard format without much emphasis on design.
2. Content Customization: Smart CVs are customized for each job application, highlighting specific skills and experiences relevant to the targeted role. They may include keywords and phrases tailored to the job description to optimize visibility in applicant tracking systems. Conventional CVs tend to have a fixed format and content, regardless of the job application.
3. Focus on Achievements and Impact: Smart CVs emphasize accomplishments, quantifiable achievements, and the impact a candidate has made in previous roles. They aim to demonstrate not just job duties but also how the candidate added value to their past employers. Traditional CVs often focus more on job responsibilities.
4. Digital Elements and Multimedia Integration: Smart CVs may include multimedia elements like links to portfolios, projects, or online profiles (e.g., LinkedIn) to provide a more comprehensive view of the candidate's abilities. They might also incorporate QR codes or video introductions. Conventional CVs usually don't incorporate such multimedia elements.
5. Adaptability and Innovation: Smart CVs demonstrate adaptability and innovation, showcasing the candidate's ability to think creatively and present information in an engaging manner. They reflect a candidate's tech-savvy and willingness to embrace modern trends in job application strategies.

In essence, a smart CV is about strategically presenting one's skills and experiences in a visually appealing and targeted manner to capture the attention of potential employers, whereas a conventional job CV follows a more standardized format without much customization or visual creativity.

There is a wide array of CV types that vary in formats, structures, and intentions:

• Chronological CV: Arranges work experience in reverse chronological order, focusing on job titles, company names, dates, and employment history.
• Functional CV: Highlights skills and accomplishments over a chronological work history, emphasizing abilities pertinent to the job and categorized by skill sets.
• Combination/Hybrid CV: Merges elements from chronological and functional formats, presenting work experience alongside skills and achievements.
• Targeted CV: Tailored for a specific job, aligning content precisely with the job description and industry requirements.
• Mini or Short CV: A succinct version, often one page, summarizing essential skills, experiences, and qualifications.
• Infographic CV: Engages through visuals, charts, and graphics, presenting information in an attractive and compelling manner.
• Video CV: A presentation showcasing skills, personality, and suitability for a job, presented in video format.
• LinkedIn Profile: An online professional profile highlighting work experience, skills, recommendations, and endorsements, beneficial for networking and job prospects.
• Academic CV (Curriculum Vitae): Tailored for academic roles, emphasizing research, publications, teaching experience, grants, and academic accomplishments.
• International or European CV (Europass): Follows a standardized format, commonly used in Europe to display skills, qualifications, and work experience.
• Creative CV: Unconventional in design and content, allowing candidates to display creativity, commonly used in artistic or design-driven industries.
• Portfolio CV: Integrates work samples, projects, or case studies with traditional CV elements, ideal for creative or design-oriented fields.

Each type of CV serves distinct purposes, catering to varied job roles, adhering to industry standards, and aligning with candidates' preferences in presenting their skills and experiences.

             To be continue...