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Q: Differences between Western and Chinese CVs
American and European CVs have some differences, although they aren't so significant. What I came to realize, in American CV one can find achievements more emphasized (exaggerated too), whereas European CV is usually shorter and to the point.
For example:
US CV:
- Sold 50.000 products, while managing 20 people, who were able to achieve such big numbers under my management
EU CV:
- Sold 50.000 products
- Managed 20 people
The point is, although there are differences, these differences are not so significant, but when I saw some Chinese CVs, it seems they are completely different. Besides photo (something which companies are not even allowed to ask in the West for most professions), which seems like a norm here, I noticed also CVs tend to be much longer (and detailed?).
Does anybody have some insights into this. What are the major differences to tailor CV for Chinese HR.
Please note, that Im not asking for teachers CV, but regular non-teaching CV, although feel free to share such knowledge also, it might help somebody.
10 years 35 weeks ago in Business & Jobs - China
Yep, I used standard EU script of CV here, and have been told by various people, that it is too short. But, what ? I do not write as Shakespeare did ... And, most HR do not have time to read it all . So why ?
Nessquick:
That's right, Raf. I also make some slight changes to CV, depend where I am sending it, that's correct. My any CV does not exceed 1 & 1/2 page. almost same content, just cover letter is different always.
CVs here include a picture, D.O.B, blood type, and list all of the certificates "earned" (read: bought) in school. It used to be that any degree was acceptable for a job here but even Chinese companies are now looking at relevant skills and experience (hence the western paradox of 'need experience to get a job that requires work experience')
As Nessquick says, most HR dep'ts don't really even read the full CV and rarely, if ever, check references.
A friend who is in HR at home told me that any CV that is longer than 2 pages is thrown out, so you keep things as brief as possible for everything beyond your 2 most relevent recent jobs. Also you don't include anything like marital status and age, because it is illegal to discriminate based on these things, and certainly NO picture
I have to agree with Raff , I have tailored my CV to the industry I prefer to work in .
Also I left out some stuff that was at the early part of my working life.
Only go into detail on the relative jobs that help your argument to get the job you want.
Leave out the very short term things that will hurt your career prospects
Unless it was a fixed contract term ,
I think it is safe to say these days that 2 years in one job is expectable and not seen as a filler like teaching in China or what ever (I don't mean teaching in China is a filler job )
Good luck to you
Don't forget to fill up the Chinese CV with lies and claims of skills and experiences you don't have/you hadn't, and to sell yourself as a senior position even if you're freshman that doesn't even know how to properly shake hands.
