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Resume versus CV – describing the differences

What’s the difference between a Resume and a Curriculum Vitae (CV) – Resume versus CV?

This depends on where you are living and what you do for a living. There are as many explanations as there are different ways to use a CV or Resume. There are although some simple rules in the discussion about a Resume versus a CV. Below we will try to enlighten you and give you an insight in the biggest differences.

Differences from Geographical point of view

If you are living in Europe including the United Kingdom, you will be able to use the terms CV and Resume rather interchangeably. There is little difference between them for people living in EU/UK. Although CV is more used than Resume here. If you live in the United States, the differences between a Resume and a CV can be big; you could say that a CV in a way is a special type of Resume. In North America, most professionals in the business world would always have a Resume, being a two pager, consisting of the most important information about you and your expertise. If you are working in more specialized areas like highly academic jobs within for instance research, medicine or similar, you would probably know a CV as a presentation of everything that you have done in your career including, all work experience, all educations, diplomas, honours, project you worked on and concepts created in your work. A CV will be a substantial longer document with all this information.

Differences in the Length of a CV / Resume

There are off course more specific differences then how many pages a CV/Resume would consist off. Depending on if you have for instance listings of scholarly accomplishments, publications (academic or business), articles this would be considered a CV. On the other hand more business achievements, skill, and credentials would be part of a Resume. A basic guideline for a North American Resume would be a 1-2 page document consisting of the most important information, trying to sell you to potential employer. A North American CV, as used mostly for academic positions, will contain a substantial amount of information about everything that you have done, and all educations you have, and typically consist of several pages. Instead of a Resume which is the major accomplishments you have done the CV will have all the relevant and mandatory achievements and credentials. In EU/UK, CVs can be very short or extremely long, depending on what you want to achieve and what you want to share. It is mostly depending on what position you are applying for.

It is rather confusing what to do

It can be confusing what to do, but instead of just trying to do the right thing, consider sending an email to the employer and simply ask for what level of details they are asking for and offer them further details on request. The only thing that can happen is that they will remember your name and this might give you an opportunity to be seen as professional because you asked what they were looking for – an interview opportunity might not be as far away as it was if you had not asked or if you had made the wrong assumptions and had send your CV/Resume in the wrong format / level of detail. You should also be aware of the fact that the cover letter or the application will be seen as you trying to get the employer to read your CV/Resume to see if your competences are the right ones for the position.

Reference guide to the major differences between a CV and a Resume

North America

CV or Curriculum Vitae

  • Typically 6-15 pages (can be even bigger)
  • Usually used within academic or science
  • Complete listing of all achievement and experience
  • All elements are thoroughly described
  • Must be read thoroughly and not easy to get a simple overview

Resume

  • Typically 1-2 pages (max. 3 pages)
  • Usually used within business (administration)
  • Summary of accomplishments, credentials and achievements
  • Highlighting the important elements
  • Easy to get an overview

Europe

CV or Curriculum Vitae

  • Can range from a simple 1-2 pages to as long as necessary
  • Can be used in any area of business
  • Depending on what job you are applying for it can be detailed or simple

Resume

  • Not used in Europe

Main objective

The main objective of a CV or Resume is to give the employer all necessary information for him to create an overview of the person applying for a job so that he can decide whom to choose for an interview. If ever in doubt, call the potential employer and ask them what they need then you already have a “toe” in the door.

Let Comoto help you do it the easy way

Remember that when using Comoto, you can always put all information about yourself and you work life in there and then just pick the most important for the position at hand. Easy and convenient create a specific CV / Resume for you. Have multiple CV / Resume ready for you to use in different application. You can even have them in different languages and different specifications. When using our CV Templates you can export to these and then make minor adjustments afterwards, taking the hassle out of making CV / Resumes.


Different writing styles of Resume writing

Different writing styles of Resume writing

It can be difficult to search around in the enormous amount of ideas, opinions and guides that is available today. Here you can find descriptions on the different styles of Resume’s that is recommended. There is not one optimal or correct version – the right style depends upon a lot of different factors and to find out what will work best for you, will be something you discover when you have tried different versions. The final result should hopefully be that you gain full control of your Resume and get the job of your dreams. There are three basic styles you could choose from:

Functional Resume Style

This Resume style is based mostly on your skills; it concentrates on the acquired skills you have gathered in the past, but also how you have used these skills in your previous positions. This style would be the best style to use if you have gaps in your employment history and/or want the recruiter to focus on your expertise/skills rather than discovering your visible gaps in your employment history. Not that you should withhold any important information, but you don’t need to make it obvious for the recruiter to see these negative facts in your Resume. You could say for whatever reason – if your skills / expertise are more important for a recruiter / headhunter than your qualifications or employment history, then a functional Resume is the obvious choice.

Performance Resume Style

The performance Resume style mostly focuses on past performance. This is often the case if you’re a major achiever or very often seen in “sales” or “economic” related positions. With this type of Resume you will focus the attention of the recruiter on your performance/achievement during each chronological job listed in your employment history. For example if you have been on the same step on the ladder for some years and achieved a lot at your work, but now you want to take the next step in your career. You can – by using this type of Performance Resume – , show that you are a high performer and have achieved goals; that you have done this for some years and now you’re ready to take the next step. If the recruiter / headhunter recognize this, he knows you’re committed and will do the little extra “something” to achieve your next goals.

Targeted Resume Style

A targeted type of Resume would focus on the requirement of the vacant position and exclude most other unnecessary information that could distract the recruiter / headhunter from judging you to be the perfect match for the vacant position. Sometimes this could be the case if you’re from a completely different sector or your employment history is too diversified to be a perfect match. The skills and expertise you have acquired during your professional working experience has helped your professional capacity, but it is not directly applicable to the vacant position unless you illustrate why. That’s why in this case the best idea would be to have a Resume targeted for that specific job.

Which Resume type is the best?

Standards, guides or rules are almost not best used as they are, and this is especially the case with regards to your Resume. The best thing that you can do is to take these good ideas and put them together to become what will be called a “Combination Resume”. This style of a Resume is the most used format. You basically use a little of all the above styles when you are trying to make that perfect Resume. It is rare that a clean type would be used, as the job vacancies are fairly complex and your employment history would need to be targeted every time to answer the requirements of the recruiter / headhunter.

How to consider which recruiter to send your Resume

How to consider which recruiter to send your Resume and avoid Resume risks like Identity theft, cyberstalking or Resume misuse

You should consider whom you are sending an application and a Resume or when you fill out their web based application form with your Resume data.

what's insideAlways remember the famous short tale by Hans Christian Andersen “The Emperor’s new Clothes” and ensure you know what what’s “inside” the recruiter.

Maybe the picture on the left can inspire you – remember to act on your eventual findings – don’t wait for the “the child” telling you the truth late if ever!

 

 

  • Who is the recruiter or the company – a real or a fake job

Check for the recruites name – No name of the recruiter mentioned – Forget it

Research the recruiters: Fake recruiters watch for news of company layoffs and often use that to look for potential victims finding names on websites or using company emails.

  • Who is the company having the job

See our example of a scam as is might be the best way to tell you about job scams

  • What information are requested by the recruiter

A recruiter would never ask for the following until very late if ever – and you should consider carefully before you hand over this information (and never give a copy)

  • Social security number or central register personal number or similar
  • Password number
  • Picture
  • Mothers Maiden name

and remember never give any money to a recruiter until you are employed.

  • How are they handling my Resume data
  • What can the use my Resume data for
  • How long time can the keep my data

All of these questions should be possible for you to answer if you look at the recruiters website for their privacy policies and their terms and conditions. Normally a recruiter would also describe the application and test process.

  • How can I ensure they have updated data over time / always ?

If you use Comoto it is easy as we offer a feature that lets you link information in several Resume s easy and fast and you only need to do it once.

The team

 

Tailor make the Resumes to the job you want – and get it!

Tailor make the Resumes to the job you want – and get it!

Your Resume is probably the most important part of your application to get the job of your dreams. The cover letter will be the place where you convince the recruiter/headhunter/company to read on, and read your entire Resume.

A very good idea will be to Tailor make every job application with a Tailor made Resume, if you want the job of your dreams, the employer should also read a “dream of a Resume”.

The basic principle of your Resumes is to Tailor make it to the job:

  • Be sure to cover the most important job skills, qualifications, and experience in your Resume.
  • Be certain that most parts of your Resume relates to the job you apply for.
  • Use the same skills, experience, and qualifications description as in the job ad.
  • Ensure that your previous experience is clearly and relevant to the job application.

This is a lot easier to do when using Comoto, you can have several Resumes in the system and specialize them to the current application.

You have the basic material available from your basic Resume (maybe your LinkedIn profile), and then you should just adapt that material to the wishes to you dream job.

An Outline of the basics in a Resume is seen below:

Professional Summary

The prof. summary is the part where you describe your overall motivation. Here you should describe that the current job would fit into your career choice. This is should show the employer that this job is the next step on your career ladder.

Skills

Skills are mostly seen as keywords in a job add; they are essential criterias that you have to have to fill this position. It is not a question if you have them all, most people don’t or just barely, but you must include all the required skills as much as possible. Highlight the skills where your expertise really supersedes the demands highlighted and mention the rest.

Work Experience

Your former work experience needs particular care and you should try to reuse some of the skills or goals explained in the job ad. Explain you experience very concise and clear, write the roles and tasks you had. Be sure to use the same wordings as in the requirements for this job.

Use several examples, and where it is possible show how your skills where developed and refined through your previous work experience. Make it extremely clear that you have gained extra expertise through your previous experience.

Achieved goals

Goals that you have achieved on top of your work experience for each job description are extremely positive, it shows that you aim for the goals the employer puts up and that you are dedicated to the relevant tasks. Try to use examples that are related to the new job application if possible.

Educations / Qualifications

A lot of job ads describe a certain set of required qualifications. You should try to provide qualifications that meet these requirements. Sometimes you have similar qualifications, try to convince them that they are good enough. Either do it by email beforehand so that you are sure that your qualifications are good enough. This also gives you the opportunity to have a talk with the employer before you send your Resume.

Your qualifications need to be direct and to the point, and if the employer describes them very details, you do the same. Make it look like you’re obviously qualified and the best choice for the job.

As described above it is not that hard to make your Resume targeted to the job your applying for. Using Comoto to do this is very easily, you have the opportunity to have several distinct Resume’s and you can change them and have as many as you like in your portfolio. You can even make them online versions, so that you can refer to a link if you talk with an interesting person.

How to Use: Choose language for your Comoto Resume Templates

How to Use: Choose language for your Comoto Resume Templates

You can choose your favorite Resume Templates language in Comoto each time you export your Resume. It is extremely easy to do, just by choosing the language in a drop down menu before you export your Resume.

After you have created you Resume and you want to export it in to one of our many Resume Templates, you simply use the Language drop down menu and choose the language you want your static data in.

When you are pressing the language drop-down box a selection will appear for you to choose the language of your choice.  After you have made your choice just choose you favorite template and press export and you have your Resume in the language of your choice.

Please notice that this translation only translates the static information in a Resume and not the content you have entered. So it is localising items like “Name”, “City”, “Birth of date” into the corresponding languages of your choice.

We will constantly add more languages, and if you want to help either to translate or proofread our translations into your specific language, please feel free to contact us at theteam@140.82.38.88 to ask for further details.

How to Use: Spell check your Comoto Resume for typos and misspellings

How to Use: Spell check your Comoto Resume for typos and misspellings

Spell check your Comoto Resume: We have launched a new feature to make this easier for you, we have created a solution with a build-in a spell checking routine, that is available on all multi line text areas in Comoto. When you create or build your Resume you will see a bar at the top of the edit area, like the one below.

Spell check Resumes

All you have to do after you have created your Resume is to activate the icon then it will perform a spellcheck marking the misspelled words with a red line beneath it. When you hold the mouse over the misspelled word and click the mouse you will be able to change it using a selection of alternative wordings. In this example it was “industry” spelled like “industri”.

Creating a professional and great Resume without any misspellings and typos has newer been easier. Just remember using Comoto to build your next Resume or make the next targeted Resume with our multiple CV feature.

Please notice that this new feature also have additional editing capabilities – for instance the option to have bullets and lists in your Resume, align text areas or even make special indention of paragraphs – just to mention a few. We will make a description on these editing capabilities later. Hope you like the new spellchecking feature when building yourself the best Resume, and we also hope that we have removed some of the hassle and made it easier for you to create your next Resume.

How to Use: The Resume editing capabilities in your Comoto Resume

How to Use: The Resume editing capabilities in your Comoto Resume

By introducing the Spellchecker into Comoto we also introduced some other resume editing capabilities, which are present when you edit multi-line fields in your Resume. Below you can see a description of these and why not try it out and edit your own Resume. Resume editing

  • Remove formatting Remove all previous formatting from the marked text
  • Bold Make the selected text bold
  • Italic Make the selected text Italic
  • Underline Underline the selected text
  • Subscript Using this feature to subscript selected text
  • Superscript Using this feature to superscript selected text
  • Align Left, Center, Right or Full Align your selected paragraph or text according to the above description
  • Outdent / Indent Work with the indentation either positive or negative (like tabulation)
  • Font SizeUse other font sizes from 8-36pt
  • Text Color Set different text color on selected text
  • Unordered list (Bullets) Make an unordered list with bullets like this list
  • Ordered list (1,2,3,4) Create and ordered list using numbers 1,2,3,4…..
  • Horizontal ruler Insert a horizontal ruler in your text
  • Spell checker Last but not least the ability to Spellcheck your document to minimize spelling and keyboard errors

All these new features should make you able to edit and maintain your favorite Resume fast and easily. Should you want more capabilities please let us now at theteam[at]comoto.com or use our contact form here.

How to Use: Create Resume or Import your Resume before you pick a Template

Create Resume or Import your Resume before you pick a Template

create resumes

“Comoto offers you an exciting new way to present yourself and apply for jobs with an online Resume or a printed Resume. It also becomes easy to create multiple Resumes and to control who can see what information on your Comoto Web Profile”

create resumesGet started with our Resume (CV) Wizard

If you want to create a new Resume, the Comoto CV setup wizard will take you by the hand. Step by step it will help you to enter all important information for a professional looking Resume.

create resumesImport your Resume from LinkedIn

Create your first Resume within seconds by importing your LinkedIn public profile. It will import all your current work experience, education, professional summary, skills and even your picture in just two clicks.

Detailed work experience and education

Describe your work experience and education choosing the level of details you want. To get a complete Resume, remember to add and rate your language skills and other competencies.

Tag Yourself with Keywords!

With our SkillsTags you can simply describe yourself and your experience with just a couple of keywords. By rating these SkillsTags you can show how good you are in an area. Using tags is often faster than writing a long text both for you and an employer, and it will help your Resume to be better found on Comoto.

Gather all your Resume related Documents

Add (attach) all sorts of documents and certificates like letters of recommendation, diploma, projects, work samples and many more to certify and authenticate your Resume. It will raise your credibility with employers.

How to Use: The Comoto Resume Commenting System

The Comoto Resume Commenting system consist of 4 parts – learn how to Resume Comments, get References or get your Resume Verified

  • Resume Comments
  • Recommendations
  • A Verify feature
  • For giving References

The principles behind the Comoto Resume Commenting system

At Comoto, we believe creating and managing your Resume should be an ongoing process where you regularly improve and upgrade your Resumes (yes more than one Resume) to the specific situation and your latest status. If you want to read more about the Comoto principles go here.

Comoto Verify CVAs part of the Resume creating and optimizing process it is important that you get feedback on your Resume data text in general and the latest changes or you might have a new draft version you would like to get some comment on. Of course, you can do that by sending email with a downloaded version (don’t know how to download your Resume – go here) of your Resume but you can also do it in a much more structured way and ask for comment via the Comoto Commenting system. Hereby you also avoiding the risk of a having draft version of your Resume floating around outside your control (notice at Comoto it takes a few clicks to delete a (draft) web profile or may you just want to hide it then it show a red dot at the right of the name). We know you can easily send the URL to the web profile you want to test (and feel free to do that) by why not ask for comments to your Resume as some of the people you ask for this might be the same you ask for recommendations, a reference or to verify. Want to learn how to use the Commenting feature – go here LINK

As part of the overall quality system of our Resume system but also for you to increase the quality of your Resumes we also have added a recommendations and reference feature. Hereby you can ask relevant piers to support you. Want to learn how to use the Commenting feature – go here LINK

As part of both Comoto’s fight against fraudulent information, omitted important information and dedicated lies in Resumes and for your Resume to stand out and also reduce your risk of having a Resume being read with “skeptical eyes” we have added a Verify feature. Hereby you can emphasize which parts of your Resumes that have been verified and by whom.

Comoto Comments

All these features are combined into the Comoto Commenting System which you can find here as part of your web profile

The feature can be accessed without log in to the Comoto Resume Manager but the person you ask for comments, ref. etc. must identify her/himself (the picture shows how it looks if you have not logged in).

 

 

How to Use: The Resume Comments – Comoto Resume Commenting System

The Comoto Resume Commenting system for Resume Comments
Principle behind and background for Resume Comments feature:

As part of the Resume creating and optimizing process it is important that you get feedback on your Resume data text in general and the latest changes or you might have a new draft version you would like to get some comment on. Of course, you can do that by sending email with a downloaded version (don’t know how to download your Resume – go here) of your Resume but you can also do it in a much more structured way and ask for comment via the Comoto Commenting system.

Hereby you also avoiding the risk of a having draft version of your Resume floating around outside your control (notice at Comoto it takes a few clicks to delete a (draft) web profile or may you just want to hide it then it show a red dot at the right of the name). We know you can easily send the URL to the web profile you want to test (and feel free to do that) by why not ask for comments to your Resume as some of the people you ask for this might be the same you ask for recommendations, a reference or to verify. Want to learn how to use the Commenting feature – read below

How to use Resume Comments:

First log in to the Comoto Resume Manager application here

To be able to use the Comoto Resume Commenting you need to have created a least one Resume . You will then have to go to your web profiles like shown below.

CCS_Web_profiles(The name on the CV / Web profiles) shown in bottom of the picture above is not the same on yours as it will show the names you chosen for the CV).

Notice the little red square at the right bottom corner of the picture – here you can decide if the Web profile is public or private (to have the Web profile password protected or not use the icon – red = protected – green public)) – want to learn more read here.

Next step is to press the Web profile to open it – you do that by clicking the web profile and wait for it to open. Then evaluate the web profile – is it ready for comments?

Look at the right for the Comoto Resume Commenting SystemCV comments. See example below (when logged in as a Comoto user)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Giving Resume comments

Now I change to be acting as if I was another person asked for commenting Michaels Resume (labelled “CV Comoto Examples/A Comoto example – Lorem Ipsum”).

Michael invited me by mail / sms / skype or similar and sent me the Web profile link – here  (fell free to try and add a comment).

I then have (as the commenter) to log in – there is several different options

Login_commenting_SystemPress Log in if you are a registered user else you can use several alternatives among others Facebook and Twitter (remember the purpose is only to identify you and to inform you about the comment should it be used by another person in your name)

I then logged in (as I have a log in I used the log in)

 

 

I have made the following Comment (see picture below)

CCS_Comment_Example

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comoto then send me (my name here is Test) the following mail

“Hi test Test!

Thank you for leaving a comment on Lorem Ipsum Resume at Comoto. This helps the person get better quality in his/her Resume .

You left the 1/22/2013 on this Resume http://app.comoto.com/cv/Comoto Examples/A Comoto example – Lorem Ipsum and if accepted by the user it will be seen on this profile in the future… Best regards The team“

Michael receives this mail

“Hello, Michael!

Test added a comment to your Lorem Ipsum (mother and parent CV) resume.

You can check it at the Web Profile page on app.comoto.com.

With best wishes,

The Comoto Team“

Checking a comment

You remembered this picture from above before I made the test comments

CCS_Web_profiles

 

 

 

 

Now look here (below)

CCS_Web_profiles_with_comments

 

Notice the  CCS_number_of_post – now I have 3 comments – the click the 3 number and you will be able to see the comments as shown on the picture below (only show the first of the 3). Notice CCS_Icon_types  – the darker third icon illustrates there is Verify comments as well.

CCS_Comment_Example_detailed

If you press the little black > in the comments like above it will show all details (see below)

CCS_Comment_Example_detailed_open

If you press Show you can turn the comment showing on and off in your relevant web profile – if Show is marked you can under” Feedback on my CV” see the number of Comments (2) – see further below.

Notice – Here you can also send a fast comment or even ask for changes if you don’t like the word (it will be sent to the email received (if any) depending of the log in / authentication method)

CCS_Comment_Example_detailed_reply

Back to the comments on the web profile (public if set as public – remember to consider that for received comments) !

CCS_Comment_webprofileAnd if you press Comments you can see them in further details as shown below

CCS_Comment_webprofile_open

That’s all !

Now you are ready to get comments to your Resumes – feel free to send us your comments – by mail or on the system as suggested above.

Read more about the other features in The Comoto Resume Commenting System

  • Recommendations
  • A Verify feature
  • For giving References

How to Use: Resume Verifications and Verify Resume

The Comoto Resume Commenting system for Resume Verifications
Principle behind and background for Verify Resume feature:

As part of both Comoto’s fight against fraudulent information, omitted important information and dedicated lies in CVs and for your Resume to stand out and also reduce your risk of having a Resume being read with “skeptical eyes” we have added a Verify feature. Hereby you can emphasise which parts of your CVs that have been verified and by whom.

Want to learn how to use the Verify feature – read below

How to use Resume Verify:

First log in to the Comoto Resume Manager application here

To be able to use the Comoto Resume Commenting you need to have created a least one CV. You will then have to go to your web profiles like shown below.

verify cv

 (The name on the Resume / Web profiles) shown in bottom of the picture above is not the same on yours as it will show the names you chosen for the CV).

Notice the little red square at the right bottom corner of the picture – here you can decide if the Web profile is public or private (to have the Web profile password protected or not use the icon – red = protected – green public)) – want to learn more read here.

Next step is to press the Web profile to open it – you do that by clicking the web profile and wait for it to open. Then evaluate the web profile – is it ready for comments?

Look at the right for the Comoto Resume Commenting System. See example below (when logged in as a Comoto user)

verify cv

Giving a Resume Verification

Now I change to be acting as if I was another person asked for Verifying Michaels Resume (actually a web profile labelled “Resume Comoto Examples/A Comoto example – Lorem Ipsum”).

Michael invited me by mail / sms / skype or similar and sent me the Web profile link – here  (fell free to try and add a verification).

I then have (as the verifier) to log in – there is several different options

verify cvPress Log in if you are a registered user else you can use several alternatives among others Facebook and Twitter (remember the purpose is only to identify you and to inform you about the comment should it be used by another person in your name)

I then logged in (as I have a log in I used the log in)

I have made the following Verification (see picture below)

Comoto Verify

Comoto then send me (my name here is Test) the following mail

“Hi test Test!

Thank you for leaving a verification on Lorem Ipsum Resume at Comoto. This helps the person get better quality in his/her CV.

You left the 1/22/2013 on this Resume http://app.comoto.com/cv/Comoto Examples/A Comoto example – Lorem Ipsum and if accepted by the user it will be seen on this profile in the future… Best regards The team“

Michael receives this mail

“Hello, Michael!

Kren Nielsen, Comoto added a verification to your Lorem Ipsum (mother and parent CV) resume.

You can check it at the Web Profile page on app.comoto.com.

With best wishes,

The Comoto Team“

Checking a comment

You remembered this picture from above before I made the test comments

verify cv

 Now look here (below)

verify cv

Notice the  CCS_number_of_post – now I have 3 comments and 1 verification – the click the 1 number and you will be able to see the verifications as shown on the picture below (only show the first of the 3). Notice CCS_Icon_types  – the darker third icon illustrates there is Verify comments as well.

Comoto Verification

If you press the little black > in the verification like above it will show all details (see below)

Comoto Verify

If you press Show you can turn the verifcation showing on and off in your relevant web profile – if Show is marked you can under” Feedback on my CV” see the number of Comments (2) – see further below.

Notice – Here you can also send a fast comment or even ask for changes if you don’t like the word (it will be sent to the email received (if any) depending of the log in / authentication method)

Comoto Verification

Back to the verification on the web profile (public if set as public – remember to consider that for received comments) !

CCS_Comment_webprofile

And if you press Verifications you can see them in further details as shown below

Comoto Verification

That’s all !

Now you are ready to get verifications and verify CVs – and feel free to test verifications on the system with the team’s profile as suggested above or send us your comments by mail.

Read more about the other features in The Comoto Resume Commenting System

Comoto – How should you handle Resume Privacy versus getting a new Job

Comoto Newsletters

This newsletter is all about how you should handle your Resume Privacy versus getting a new Job – what should be considered to avoid risks like identity theft, cyber stalking, scams and other misuse of your Resume information.

Last week on the Comoto’s blog we received a complete Resume as a blog post with personal data, detailed private information and phone and other private numbers

My first thought was rather negative – but then I started to consider that in a world with more than 200 million unemployed, you might decide to take all risks in the hope of a job and instead I decided to help! Therefore, I have compiled the following advice on how you could handle your Resume privacy issues and on our blog you can find an article with general advice for you to consider – reading more here.

CV privacy What needs to be done!

As part of your Resume Creating, Managing and Optimizing you should always consider which details you should include and/or show in your Resumes (in Comoto this is easier, you have detailed control on both). Please read more here, if you should include among other your full address, phone numbers and also how to use a correct email address.

Remember that one of the many strong points on Comoto is the ability to handle both multiple Resumes and Web online profiles – therefore, on Comoto you can have different approaches to Resumes – Resumes with full details, some Resumes with limited details and Resumes or CVs with only few private details to be used in the public (web) space. Comoto also makes it possible to control the access to your web profile with a password.

The level of details in a Resume can be handled in two different ways on Comoto – You can either make a copy (clone) of your current Resume and remove certain parts or you can manage the visibility with on/off switches with the red/green buttons – see the picture

Why should you care about what you show ! Is this important ?

A few statistics and related information on identity theft

It is expected as many as 10 million Americans a year are victims of identity theft. The United States Department of Justice states that in 2010, 7% of all United States households had at least one member of the family at or over the age of 12 who has been a victim of some sort of identity theft. As many other issues this is now spreading all over the world – consider this happened for you! (read more here).

But what can happen if your identity has been stolen!

  • 47% of victims had trouble getting credit or a loan as a result of identity theft
  • 19% of victims had higher credit rates and 16% had higher insurance rates because of identity theft
  • 11% of victims say identity theft has a negative impact on their abilities to get a job
  • 70% of victims have trouble getting rid of (or never get rid of) negative information in their records

You can find out more about identity theft and how to handle it here.

Similar precautions to which information you show in your Resumes/Resumes should be considered when you publish or share/send Resume information or update your Resume/Web profile.
Carefully consider if there are there any information that could harm you or somebody else – read more about the correct levels of details in your Resume here and read more about the correct time to update your Resume/Resume here

Now you properly have made the appropriate number of Resumes – worked with the Resume Data and the layout (template) and you are ready to start using the Resume – you have taken the correct precautions, considered the proper information for each Resume and are ready to share it with everybody in the world – or are you ?

I am afraid there are way too many job scams, fake jobs and bogus recruiters and suspicious Resume databases (see our evaluation here) out there you should consider first. I have collected some relevant information and tips for you here

  • Recruiters (here)
  • Resume Databases (here)
  • Companies (here)

Your Privacy is important for Comoto

Remember, at Comoto we regard our user’s privacy very high and give you numerous options and features to help you handle your Resumes/Resumes privacy – like you can have many Resumes – for example (and remember the Resume Data can be intelligently linked for easy updates). For example

  • One Resume without many details that can be broadly used
  • Another Resume with more details for X, targeted for a specific job type
  • And one made for your current employers file (to illustrate you can build your Resume history/log on Comoto)

You can have many web profiles – for example

  • One or more profiles with very little details for public access – see here what to include and not to include
  • Other Resumes with little differences – yes why not have several – each made with a different password

The Comoto Resume Manager also ensures your privacy

  • All access to your information in password protected (remember to have a strong password – here)
  • All information on the Comoto Resume Manager application is secured (try here)

In the next version – which we are working hard to finish – we will be adding further features for you to be in full control of your Resume/Resume privacy and risks involved in the management of your Resume/Resume.

Thanks for your time – comments and suggestions will be highly appreciated
Kren, CEO

Tweets 24-1-2013

http://twitter.com/Comotocom/status/299887031985786880Spelling error

Comoto on twitter – see our tweets here on the website or on @comotocom or from our CEO at @comoto

Read more

Comoto Resume Funny Friday: Don’t Lie if you get caught like John

Honesty is a virtue especially when your lies is obvious – Comoto Resume Funny Friday

In some of our Comoto Resume Funny Friday posts, we state the importance of not lying and being honest all the way through the recruitment process. We still think this, and we all have seen a lot of examples of Resumes or Resumes where public people people are caught lying !

I believe sometimes bad habits start early – at least this little guy is worth a laugh when he was caught lying!Comoto Funny

See here

 

 

Kren

Comoto‘s aim is to become “The Central Place” where you can create, clone, copy, manage, backup and distribute your Resume and Cover letters fast and easy. To create your first Comoto Resume, signup for free and just add your data (or use one of the many easy import features), pick one of our special designed templates, preview your Resume and finally export to your favorite format (.DOC – .PDF – .PNG) or publish it in a Web Profile (Public/Private). Now you are ready to have full control of your Resume. Notice other unique features – like multiple Resumes – a few clicks and you can create a Resume targeted for a specific job or Export to many different formats.

  • Free Resume Builder and Manager »
  • Free Resume Templates for download »
  • Free Help, Tips, Tricks and Guides »
  • Free Import/Export (Fast & Easy) »
  • Free Multilingual Spellchecker »

My name is Lorem Ipsum and a I have just been contacted by a headhunter regarding my nonsense Resume!

My name is Lorem Ipsum and a I have just been contacted by a headhunter regarding my nonsense Resume!

nonsense ResumeIn the last couple of weeks I have illustrated some of the dirty tricks and issues with Resumes and the job process and I have with examples illustrated that both candidates and companies not always behave with the appropriate ethical standards and moral – but what about the Resume database owners and their behavior?

Comoto have over the last couple of years tried to learn and understand our competitors and potential partners better. To evaluate features offered by these we have on a regular basis added a profile to their Resume databases. To ensure that the administrators of these Resume database understand that these Resume from us is only for testing we use names that makes it clear for the reader that it is for test purposes only. We use names like Test Tester or Lorem Ipsum and the Resumes data field’s, text or resume template is without any doubt complete nonsense.

Even though we believe it is clear for everybody that nobody could have any interest in our test Resume we have received many emails from Resume databases providers informing us that our Resume is or have been of interest to some of their customers and therefore we need to do particular actions – actions that only have the purpose to illustrate for the Resume databases customers that their Resume are more often updated, their users are alive and also more active than the candidates actually are!

nonsense ResumeThis questionable behavior and by purpose deceiving emails have been received from many Resume databases and also some of the biggest Resume Monsters of the industry as well as international players of the Resume Industry and clearly illustrate that several of these Resume database providers have built automatic systems to generate an artificial interest in your Resume / Curriculum Vitae for you to be positive and use that particular Resume database and/or to perform their wanted actions.

From our side we believe this behavior is another example of why you should take control of your Resume dialog and manage your Resumes, Resume Templates and your job process carefully as well as to protect your privacy.

For you as a candidate the above described behavior also have the negative side effect that you over time will stop reacting on mails from Resume databases – unfortunately and in particular if the contact was actually correct and valid.

If you have experienced similar behavior or other doubtful actions to increase a Resume database traffic and user interest please let us know at theteam@140.82.38.88

BTW: – For your information – Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s – like “dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. In non tellus eros. Vestibulum ac nulla nibh, at posuere leo. Proin mollis blandit lorem eget consectetur. Maecenas sodales vehicula odio, vel commodo neque adipiscing a. Sed ac dolor suministros turpis. Maecenas tincidunt skabelon aliquet massa, malesuada como to adipiscing justo egestas vitae. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus”

My name is Lorem Ipsum and a I have just been contacted by a Resume Database regarding my nonsense Resume!

My name is Lorem Ipsum and a I have just been contacted by a Resume database regarding my nonsense Resume!

nonsense CVIn the last couple of weeks I have illustrated some of the dirty tricks and issues with Resumes and the job process and I have with examples illustrated that both candidates and companies not always behave with the appropriate ethical standards and moral – but what about the Resume database owners and their behavior?

Comoto have over the last couple of years tried to learn and understand our competitors and potential partners better. To evaluate features offered by these we have on a regular basis added a profile to their Resume databases. To ensure that the administrators of these Resume database understand that these Resumes from us is only for testing we use names that makes it clear for the reader that it is for test purposes only. We use names like Test Tester or Lorem Ipsum and the Resumes data fields, text or Resume template is without any doubt complete nonsense.

Even though we believe it is clear for everybody that nobody could have any interest in our test Resume we have received many emails from Resume databases providers informing us that our Resume is or have been of interest to some of their customers and therefore we need to do particular actions – actions that only have the purpose to illustrate for the Resume database’s customers that their Resume are more often updated, their users are alive and also more active than the candidates actually are!

This questionable behavior and by purpose deceiving emails have been received from many Resume databases and also some of the biggest Resume Monsters of the industry as well as international players of the Resume Industry and clearly illustrate that several of these Resume database providers have built automatic systems to generate an artificial interest in your Resume / Curriculum Vitae for you to be positive and use that particular Resume database and/or to perform their wanted actions.

From our side we believe this behavior is another example of why you should take control of your Resume dialog and manage your Resumes, Resume Templates and your job process carefully as well as to protect your privacy.

For you as a candidate the above described behavior also have the negative side effect that you over time will stop reacting on mails from Resume databases – unfortunately and in particular if the contact was actually correct and valid.

If you have experienced similar behavior or other doubtful actions to increase a Resume database traffic and user interest please let us know at theteam@140.82.38.88

BTW: – For your information – Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s – like “dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. In non tellus eros. Vestibulum ac nulla nibh, at posuere leo. Proin mollis blandit lorem eget consectetur. Maecenas sodales vehicula odio, vel commodo neque adipiscing a. Sed ac dolor suministros turpis. Maecenas tincidunt skabelon aliquet massa, malesuada como to adipiscing justo egestas vitae. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus”

How to consider which Resume database to send your Resume to avoid Resume risks like Identity theft, cyber stalking or Resume misuse

How to consider which Resume database to send your Resume to avoid Resume risks like Identity theft, cyber stalking or Resume misuse

You should consider which Resume database you are sending a Resume and when you fill out a Resume databases web based entry form with your Resume data

Resume risks

  • Who is the Resume database – a serious player

Research the Resume databases for reviews, number of jobs, owners, etc. Fake Resume databases watch for news of company layoffs and often use that to look for potential victims finding names on websites or using company emails.

  • Who is the company having the job

See our example of a scam as is might be the best way to tell you about job scams

  • What information are requested by the Resume database

A Resume database would never ask for the following until very late if ever – and you should consider carefully before you hand over this information (and never give a copy)

  • Social security number or central register personal number or similar
  • Password number
  • Picture
  • Mothers Maiden name

and remember never give any money to a Resume database (until you are employed).

  • How are they handling my Resume data
  • What can the use my Resume data for
  • How long time can the keep my data

All of these questions should be possible for you to answer if you look at the Resume databases website for their privacy policies and their terms and conditions. Normally a Resume database would also describe the application and test process.

  • How can I ensure they have updated data over time / always ?

If you use Comoto it is easy as we offer a feature that lets you link information in several Resume s easy and fast and you only need to do it once.

The Team

How to prepare before you send Resume to a company and avoid Resume risks like Identity theft, cyber stalking or Resume misuse

How to prepare before you send Resume to a company and avoid Resume risks like Identity theft, cyber stalking or Resume misuse

Comoto CV Risks

You should consider which company you send an application and a Resume to company or when you fill out their web based application form with your Resume data

  • Who is the company – a real or a fake job

Check for the company: – No real or searchable company mentioned – Forget it

 

Research the company: Fake company watch for news of company layoffs and often use that to look for potential victims finding names on websites or using company emails.

Se our example of a scam as is might be the best way to tell you about job scams

  • What information are requested by the company

A proper company would never ask for the following until very late if ever – and you should consider carefully before you hand over this information (and never give a copy)

  • Social security number or central register personal number or similar
  • Password number
  • Picture
  • Mothers Maiden name

and remember never give any money to a company until you are employed.

  • How are they handling my Resume data
  • What can the use my Resume data for
  • How long time can the keep my data

All of these questions should be possible for you to answer if you look at the company website for the company’s HR privacy policies.  Normally a proper company would also describe their application and test process.

  • How can I ensure they have updated data over time / always ?

If you use Comoto it is easy as we offer a feature that lets you link information in several Resume s easy and fast and you only need to do it once.

The Team

Comoto‘s aim is to become “The Central Place” where you can create, clone, copy, manage, backup and distribute your Resume and Cover letters fast and easy. To create your first Comoto Resume , signup for free and just add your data (or use one of the many easy import features), pick one of our special designed templates, preview your Resume and finally export to your favourite format (.DOC – .PDF – .PNG) or publish it in a Web Profile (Public/Private). Now you are ready to have full control of your Resume . Notice other unique features – like multiple Resume s – a few clicks and you can create a Resume targeted for a specific job or Export to many different formats.

How to ensure the correct time for Resume updates to avoid Resume risks like Identity theft, cyberstalking or Resume misuse

How to ensure the correct time for Resume updates to avoid Resume risks like Identity theft, cyberstalking or Resume misuse

How can you ensure your Resumes is not to updated to early?Comoto Resume update

To early updated can bee if you publish company secrets or internal information from you current employeer.

Have you considered what would happen if your current employer or your current employers competitor got hold of your (updated) Resume ? Or a Colleague?

  •  Dont show your responsibilities for a new secret project a bit to detailed
    • For example – working on Apple TV or Microsoft new car – craxy examples or is it – see what happened in HP here
  • Dont show a new responsability or a new job if the person having the position have not been informed yet.

To detailed can bee you show to much details in your Resume – but that you handle easily on Comoto with our multiple Resume feature – read here – even smarter if combined with the Comoto Commenting system – read here.

Besides the above examples have you ensured what you state is correct and understood correctly – both in the yeses of a recruiter and in the eyes of your current employer – ensure this by using the Comoto verify feature – read here

The team

Comoto‘s aim is to become “The Central Place” where you can create, clone, copy, manage, backup and distribute your Resume and Cover letters fast and easy. To create your first Comoto Resume , signup for free and just add your data (or use one of the many easy import features), pick one of our special designed templates, preview your Resume and finally export to your favourite format (.DOC – .PDF – .PNG) or publish it in a Web Profile (Public/Private). Now you are ready to have full control of your Resume . Notice other unique features – like multiple Resume s – a few clicks and you can create a Resume targeted for a specific job or Export to many different formats.

How to ensure the correct level of Resume details and avoid Resume risks like Identity theft, cyber stalking or Resume misuse

How to handle your the correct level of Resume details to avoid Resume risks like Identity theft, cyber stalking or Resume misuse

How can you ensure your Resume is not to detailed?

To detailed can bee if you publish company secrets or internal information from you current employer.

Comoto Resume risks

Have you considered what would happen if your current employer or your current employers competitor got hold of your Resume ? Or a Colleague?

  •  Don’t show your responsibilities for a new secret project a bit to detailed
    • For example – working on Apple TV or Microsoft’s new car – crazy examples or is it – see what happened in HP here
  • Don’t show a new responsibility or a new job if the person having the position have not been informed yet.

 

To detailed can bee you show to much details in your Resume – but that you handle easily on Comoto with our multiple Resume feature – read here – combined with the Commenting system – read here.

Besides the above examples have you ensured what you state is correct and understood correctly – both in the yeses of a recruiter and in the eyes of your current employer – ensure this by using the Comoto verify feature – read here

The team

Comoto‘s aim is to become “The Central Place” where you can create, clone, copy, manage, backup and distribute your Resume and Cover letters fast and easy. To create your first Comoto Resume , signup for free and just add your data (or use one of the many easy import features), pick one of our special designed templates, preview your Resume and finally export to your favorite format (.DOC – .PDF – .PNG) or publish it in a Web Profile (Public/Private). Now you are ready to have full control of your Resume . Notice other unique features – like multiple Resume s – a few clicks and you can create a Resume targeted for a specific job or Export to many different formats.