Careers in Bermuda

Resume / CV / Bio writing – Here is what you need to know:

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• Have a CV & Resume, and maybe a Bio - A resume is typically a one-page summary of your work experience and skills relevant to the job you are applying to. A CV is a longer academic diary that includes all of your experience, certificates, etc. You may also want to create a ‘Bio’ which holds concise, biographical paragraphs that professionals use to introduce themselves. These are typically used to provide a summary of an individual's accomplishments, an overview of their career history and a description of their professional goals. You can find many example Bio’s on Company’s websites, just look for the ‘our people’ section.

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• Keep it simple, to the point - The person reading your resume might not always be the employer. Resumes can be reviewed by recruiters or Human Resources specialists who may not be familiar with your specific field (Yes, it happens!). Use simple and plain language, but also persuasive verbs such as handled, managed, led, developed, increased, accomplished, leveraged, etc. to highlight your skills.  Make sure are acronyms are extended so the reader understands.
   

• Check closely for correct spelling, grammar and punctuation - Be sure there are no spelling or grammar mistakes. Have someone else read your documents as well. A simple spelling mistake on a resume can give a negative impression to the employer. It can even prevent you from getting the initial interview. 
   

• Highlight key transferable skills, focusing on what you enjoy doing and perform well at - You want to be able to identify the best examples of where you demonstrated your skills. These examples should speak to what you achieved in your role, and should demonstrate what kind of employee you are.
   

• Include unpaid work too - If you have volunteered with a well-known organization or worked for an important cause, you can certainly add this to your Resume/CV. You may include these experiences under the "extra-curricular" or the "volunteer work" section, especially if they are related to the position you are applying for.
   

• ‘Sell’ your employers, not just yourself - Many firms in Bermuda aren’t ‘local’ meaning they may not be aware of the firm you work for and just how awesome they are!  You can save prospective employers time by including useful information related to the company you work/worked for on your Resume/CV too - including a website link is also useful.
   

• Be Honest - Do not leave any work experience off your documents - even if it was a temporary role for one day, Bermuda is too small to hide any employment history – this can come back to you negatively.  But you can choose to withhold the employer’s identity if you prefer to, just describe the industry sector they are in.  But don’t miss the opportunity to share what skills you learnt in that role.
   

• Formatting - Print off your documents before you send to any prospective employers – they can look very different on paper, this will help you spot any formatting issues which could be the difference between the ‘no’ and ‘yes’ pile.  Always save your documents as Adobe PDF before sending out – this saves any file changes happening en route - again making sure your first impression is the positive one that you seek.
   

• Include your contact information - Your resume should list your name, email and contact numbers on every page (header or footer is perfect) – be wary about including your full postal address nowadays, but include any hyperlinks to showcase further work experience or your LinkedIn profile. Make sure this information is accurate. Otherwise, the potential employer won't be able to contact you.

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There are tons of useful websites to help you perfect your documents – here’s a few to check out:

• https://www.livecareer.co.uk

• https://www.myperfectresume.com

• https://youtu.be/ly3pQCxbw44

• You can also find templates within your Microsoft Word application.
   

Cover letters – do we still need them?  

A cover letter / cover email is another way of introducing yourself to potential employers and explaining your suitability for the desired position.  Some employers may look for individualized and thoughtfully written cover letters as one method of screening out applicants.

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Cover letters are typically categorized according to two purposes:

• Applying for a specific, advertised opening ('letter of application').

• Expressing interest in an organization when the job seeker is uncertain whether there are current openings ('letter of inquiry').
   

According to studies, a good cover letter should:

• Be well punctuated and spelled, and grammatically correct.

• Use timelines to highlight chronological information.

• Reference your most relevant skills as it relates to the job you are applying for.

• Highlights relevant achievements.

 

Remember: Good first impressions never have a second chance!