Latest news with #CV
RNZ News
an hour ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Property valuations drop for Auckland
money housing 30 minutes ago Council valuations or CV's for Auckland's 630-thousand homes have decreased by an average of 9 percent. For many, the drop is unnerving and a tough pill to swallow, especially after the highs of 2021. But property experts have said the CV is just a taxation tool, and homeowners shouldn't let it influence their decisions. Felix Walton reports.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Brazil's funk star's arrest sparks censorship debate
The arrest of a popular funk singer in Brazil on suspicion of glorifying a powerful crime gang has revived a long-standing debate over the criminalisation of a genre born in Rio de Janeiro's gritty favelas, or slums. Unlike its US namesake, which was popularised by James Brown, Rio funk borrows more from hip-hop, blended with samba and other Brazilian rhythms. The lyrics, seen by many as celebrating favela drug lords, have repeatedly led to calls for songs to be censored. Last week, MC Poze do Rodo, one of the genre's best-known artists with 16 million followers on Instagram, was arrested on charges of glorifying crime and having links to Comando Vermelho (CV), one of Brazil's biggest gangs. The police argue that Poze's music "clearly condones" drug trafficking and illegal use of firearms and point to concerts held "exclusively in areas dominated by CV, with a notable presence of traffickers armed with high-calibre weapons." After five days in preventive custody, the 26-year-old singer was released on Tuesday to a rapturous welcome from waiting fans, who swarmed his car in a column of motorbikes. Speaking afterwards, the singer claimed he was the victim of police discrimination. "Rio de Janeiro police don't like me... because I'm black? Because I'm from a favela?" Marlon Brendon Coelho Couto was born in the favela of Rodo, one of the biggest in western Rio. He has admitted to selling drugs in his youth but says that he abandoned crime to devote himself to music. Police footage of his arrest at his current home in the upmarket Recreio dos Bandeirantes district, cuffed and shirtless, surrounded by heavily armed officers, caused an outcry among his fans. Fellow musicians took part in a campaign for his release, organised by his wife, influencer Viviane Noronha, on the grounds that "funk singers are not criminals." The debate surrounding funk's role in crime mirrors long-standing discussions in the United States over the links between rap and violence in Black communities. Danilo Cymrot, a doctor in criminology at the University of Sao Paulo, pointed to a "grey area" in the definition of glorification of violence, relating to artistic content. "The artist doesn't necessarily agree with his lyrics," Cymrot, author of a book about Rio funk, said. He added that "oftentimes, the police and the judiciary have a hard time understanding funk as a work of art." As a result, he said, the artist's origins are often used to determine whether he condones violence. "It's less the message itself and more who is singing it."
Khaleej Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
How to write that perfect CV in the UAE: Tips by an HR professional
One page can change your life. This one piece of paper is your invitation to a meeting, your certificate of excellence, and your chance to get a bumper raise before you've even begun a new job. What's on this precious note? Your CV. 'The worst thing you can do for your CV is write down your job description,' says HR veteran Anam Irfan, who has worked with the likes of Majid Al Futtaim and Tenaris, and across industries such as oil and gas and construction. The Pakistani expat, who has been in the UAE for 35 years, is currently the chief people officer and partner at byteSpark AI, and spoke to wknd. about the difference between a good CV and an effective one, what companies can do to draw and retain talent, and what you can do to boost your own profile in the tough-as-stone job market. Her firm is a headhunting initiative that uses AI to pursue candidates and link the right person to the right job. 'Our platform does a recruitment with speed, with efficiency. That, and we help people with CV-building skills,' explains Anam. If you are looking for a new job this year, you are, unsurprisingly, not alone. According to a survey by Censuswide, 75 per cent of the professionals in the UAE are searching for new employment in 2025. But to make your CV (and application) stand out, says Anam, 'Don't tell me what you were hired to do, impress me with what you have done. What you have achieved. A CV needs to be clear, concise, impactful. That means talking about outcomes, numbers.' To make things more engaging, she recommends paying attention to your personal brand. 'After all, if you don't write about your accomplishments on social media (or LinkedIn), how will a recruiter know about your abilities? With the new generation that is coming into the workforce, Gen-Z and Alpha, it will be all about the personal brand. They're all on social media, whether it's Instagram, or LinkedIn, or TikTok. If you want to excel, you need to up your game on these platforms.' Closing the gender gap As a woman who has worked in traditionally male-dominated industries, Anam says her formula for being seen and heard is simple: Show up with irrefutable data. 'If you have your own clear voice and influence at the table, and you come backed up with data — that's when magic really happens. I make sure that when I speak, it is with facts and figures, making them curious about 'why did she say what she said',' she adds. Having a comfortable relationship with your audience will also smooth your way to a receptive audience, the HR executive adds. 'You have to make sure that you're building relationships through the journey. Women have the gift of empathy; relationship-building is natural. When you do that, things become easy.' The first challenge to success — both when it comes to speaking to colleagues and presenting an argument (or counter-argument, for that matter), she says, is the negative self-talk that women tend to suffer from. According to a study, published by the US-based National Library of Medicine, positive self-talk has the ability to improve cognitive performance. 'We women sometimes lose out because we are very self-critical, thinking we need to over-prepare. Sometimes, we overthink and stop ourselves from expressing a certain viewpoint. You don't say it, but someone else does. And you are left reeling,' she says, adding that one needs to curb that instinct to keep mum at important moments. Don't tell me what you were hired to do, impress me with what you have done. What you have achieved. A CV needs to be clear, concise, impactful. That means talking about outcomes, numbers" Anam believes the foundation to professional success then begins in one's formative years. 'If you don't have a very good childhood, it impacts you and your personal skill set,' she explains. However, if you are taught resilience in the face of diversity, it will hold you in good stead. If you do find yourself without glowing personal skills though, remember that many things can be learned — all you need is a growth mindset; that ability to find lessons in everything. It's also why grooming is so important in a work place; it helps your discover and grow your abilities. 'You may have your own mindset and your own aspirations, but if the opportunity is not given in the right organisation, it changes everything,' she says. 'When I was just in training,' she recalls, 'I was already presenting budgets to CEOs — my mentors and leaders put me in the room and pushed me to learn by doing. My confidence was built up like this.' Anam is the mum of a six year old, and she laughs when asked about work-life balance. 'There is no such thing,' she says. 'For me, it's not about a work-life balance, it's really about integration. So, I have boundaries — at five, I have to leave. My son is six. He needs a mom. I need to spend at least couple of hours with him once he's back from school. He needs to have mealtimes with me. He needs to have his sleeping time with me. He needs to have some reading time with me. Once he's gone to bed, I can get back to any pending work that I have. The key is to know when to take a break and pause.' Corporations need to understand that you cannot have those legacy annual performance reviews. You need to move beyond that. Things are agile. That's where frustrations happen in employees — they feel it's not a fair assessment" Organisations too need a shift While she's quick to say that she's only worked in supportive firms, she does admit that the way many organisations do things leave a lot to be desired. 'Performance management systems are so outdated. There is usually an annual goal-setting in organisations and annual reviews; but the goal posts are constantly shifting. 'Corporations need to understand that you cannot have those legacy annual performance reviews. You need to move beyond that. Things are agile. That's where frustrations happen in employees — they feel it's not a fair assessment.' 'The other thing is, teaching employees about their potential growth trajectory. The more you know where you are heading, the greater will be your commitment to your cause,' she explains. At the end of the day, your turn with a company begins with an introduction — and you owe yourself the best one. Begin by working on an effective CV.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
I've read thousands of CVs – eight phrases you MUST avoid and major mistake all jobseekers make
LANDING your dream job starts with an attention-grabbing CV - but in a competitive recruitment market many are riddled with clichés. The Sun spoke to HR expert and recruitment firm boss, James Flemming, who has spent 25 years reviewing thousands of CVs - and he revealed the major mistake most jobseekers make when it comes to writing resumes. 3 3 James says: "The key to the perfect CV is to ditch the generic buzzwords and focus on demonstrating your impact with concrete examples." Recruiters spend mere seconds scanning each CV, so you need to make every word count. Your CV isn't just a list of previous jobs - it's your personal advertisement. It highlights your skills, experience, and successes, showing why you're the best person for the job. As your first impression, it needs to stand out and make an impact. He knows exactly what makes a CV stand out - and what causes it to be rejected. The keywords and terms to avoid Generic terms like "hard-working," "committed," and "diligent" have become so overused that they've lost their impact, said James. Instead of telling employers you're hardworking, show them with examples. "You could say, 'I managed a caseload of 50 clients while maintaining a 95% satisfaction rate'". The phrase "team player" is equally meaningless unless backed by evidence. Living wage working family react to the Spring Statement James said a better approach would be to write, "Collaborated with cross-functional teams to launch a new product two weeks ahead of schedule". Again, while terms like "go-getter" or "self-starter" might grab attention in sales roles, they only work if supported by proof. Instead, you could say, "I implemented a new client onboarding process, reducing time-to-productivity by 30%," which James said is far more compelling. Passive phrases like "responsible for" should be avoided too, as they fail to convey a sense of action, James explained. Instead, he suggests starting with powerful action verbs such as led, delivered, designed, or streamlined to highlight your achievements. Similarly, stating you're "detail-oriented" isn't enough - prove it with specifics like: "I reviewed 100 invoices per week with 100% accuracy." What should your CV include? Your CV, that crucial first impression, needs to be a lean, mean, job-landing machine, fitting snugly onto just one side of A4, says James. Pack it with the essentials - your name and contact details so they can actually reach you, a snappy summary of your skills (if you like), your work history showcasing what you achieved, not just what you did, and your educational background. Tailor it ruthlessly to each job you're applying for, ditching anything that isn't directly relevant. Quantify your successes wherever possible - numbers speak louder than words. Forget those outdated phrases and the assumption that everyone needs to know you can use Microsoft Word. Proofread meticulously because typos scream "unprofessional," and aim for a clean, clear layout that's easy on the recruiter's eye. Remember, it's a highlight reel, not a career autobiography. Don't forget the cover letter Once your CV is ready, don't stop there – your cover letter is just as important. Your CV shows the highlights, but the cover letter is your chance to explain the story behind them and why they matter for this job. James says: "Never underestimate the value of a well-crafted cover letter. "This is your chance to show motivation, cultural fit and how your values align with the company's. "Keep it succinct, tailor it to the role and avoid repeating your CV. "Instead, offer context - why this job, why this company and how you'll bring value." James recommends having a good nosey around the company website, getting a feel for their vibe, and then sprinkling that knowledge into your letter. It shows you're genuinely keen and not just firing off applications willy-nilly. 3 Now, for the opening. If you can find a name – a hiring manager, someone in the team – use it. This shows you've put in the effort. Then, be clear about the job you're after. After that, get straight to the point: what is it about this gig that makes you tick? In the main body, don't just say you've got skills - prove it. Give real-life examples of when you've smashed it in the past. It's also vital to chat a bit about why you're a good fit for their culture. Again, do your research and work out what makes them tick, and show how your own values line up. Finally, carefully proofread your cover letter to catch any grammar mistakes. A polished cover letter shows you're professional and pay attention to detail, so ask a friend or family member to check it over too.
France 24
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- France 24
Does Brazilian funk glorify crime? Singer's arrest triggers debate
Unlike its US namesake, which was popularized by James Brown, Rio funk borrows more from hip-hop, blended with samba and other Brazilian rhythms. The lyrics, seen by many as celebrating favela drug lords, have repeatedly led to calls for songs to be censored. Last week, MC Poze do Rodo, one of the genre's best-known artists with 16 million followers on Instagram, was arrested on charges of glorifying crime and having links to Comando Vermelho (CV), one of Brazil's biggest gangs. The authorities said his arrest aimed to send a message to those "who romanticize and help spread narcoculture." The police argue that Poze's music "clearly condones" drug trafficking and illegal use of firearms and point to concerts held "exclusively in areas dominated by CV, with a notable presence of traffickers armed with high-caliber weapons." After five days in preventive custody, the 26-year-old singer was released on Tuesday to a rapturous welcome from waiting fans, who swarmed his car in a column of motorbikes. Police fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the crowds. Speaking afterwards, the singer claimed he was the victim of police discrimination. "Rio de Janeiro police don't like me... because I'm black? Because I'm from a favela?" 'Singers are not criminals' Marlon Brendon Coelho Couto was born in the favela of Rodo, one of the biggest in western Rio. He has admitted to selling drugs in his youth but says that he abandoned crime to devote himself to music. Police footage of his arrest at his current home in the upmarket Recreio dos Bandeirantes district, cuffed and shirtless, surrounded by heavily armed officers, caused an outcry among his fans. Fellow musicians took part in a campaign for his release, organized by his wife, influencer Viviane Noronha, on the grounds that "funk singers are not criminals." Erika Hilton, a Congress member, argued that by arresting Poze the authorities were seeking to "project all the sins of the world onto black people." But many rejoiced at seeing the star behind bars, including former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, an ex-army captain, who posted a picture of the singer with a clown emoji on his Instagram account. Arresting the messenger Funk describes the reality of life in Rio's crime-blighted favelas. Poze's lyrics have regularly caused controversy. In his 2023 track "Homenagem Pra Tropa do Rodo," he pays tribute to men killed "shooting for Comando Vermelho." The debate surrounding funk's role in crime mirrors long-standing discussions in the United States over the links between rap and violence in Black communities. Over a decade ago, authorities in the northeastern Brazilian city of Fortaleza passed a law banning venues from hiring artists that incite violence. Similar anti-Oruam bills, as they are known after the rapper son of a famous drug lord, are now also being debated by several other cities and state parliaments. Danilo Cymrot, a doctor in criminology at the University of Sao Paulo, pointed to a "gray area" in the definition of glorification of violence, relating to artistic content. "The artist doesn't necessarily agree with his lyrics," Cymrot, author of a book about Rio funk, said. He added that "oftentimes, the police and the judiciary have a hard time understanding funk as a work of art." As a result, he said, the artist's origins are often used to determine whether he condones violence.
