CV Maker Provides Advantage to Finding a Job in Today's Competitive Market.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

PLEASANTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 10, 2000

CV Creation Software Provides All of the Tools to Create

Effective CVs and Cover Letters and Prepare for Interviews

Individual Software Inc., a leading developer and publisher of personal productivity and educational software, today announced the release of CV Maker Deluxe Edition 7.0, a program based on the No. 1 best-selling CV software in the United States (PC Data 1999 dollar sales of CV software).

CV Maker, International Version, prepares job seekers for five key areas of a job search. These are: 1) creating a professional CV; 2) writing a persuasive cover letter; 3) organising the job search by targeting a list of companies; 4) preparing for job interviews; 5) learning how to achieve better results in any job search.

Most Feature-Rich Program Available

Guided CVs is the best tool for creating professional CVs using a simple step-by-step format. Guided CVs includes thousands of ready-to-use phrases and job descriptions written by professionals for every line of work, powerful sample CVs for 200 popular careers and a thesaurus of over 3,600 Action Words to add impact to users' CVs. A "One-Page-Less" feature automatically condenses CVs back to one page.

Users can select from 15 different CV types. After entering CV data through an intuitive step-by-step process, users can instantly transform their CV into professional documents using any of 25 attractive CV and heading style templates. Also included are three uniquely formatted electronic CV templates designed for posting CVs online or for sending them via e-mail.

Guided Letters also uses a simple step-by-step process to let job seekers create professional letters to accompany their CV. Twelve different letter templates cover every type of job search correspondence, including CV cover letters, broadcast letters, offer acceptance letters, thank-you letters, referral letters, ad response letters, and even resignation letters. More than 500 ready-to-use, professionally written paragraphs can be also be inserted easily into any letter with a click of the mouse. Contact names and addresses are selected from the Contact Manager's database to automatically address letters and envelopes. Users can also view over 150 sample letters covering every situation.

CV Maker's Contact Manager was designed to help users keep the job search well organised letting users organise information for all companies, contacts, phone numbers, interviews, to do items, and notes. They can add a checklist of seven important job search steps for each contact, as well as record a detailed profile of each company, making them more knowledgeable about the prospective employer during the job interview. Contact Manager prints detailed to do lists, daily and weekly calendars; and maintains a contact history log of all appointments, telephone conversations, faxes, e-mails or mailed letters and other activities.

The Virtual Interview section lets the user prepare for any interview and negotiate for higher salary by reviewing over 500 common interview questions, studying the rationale behind each question, and then practicing their answers. This allows users to learn the hidden meaning behind the questions most employers ask and shows them how to respond more effectively. Virtual Interview also helps build the job seeker's confidence by watching and listening to an actual interview. Virtual Interview also helps users obtain the best salary with 25 strategies for negotiating higher offers.

The multimedia Expert Advice section provides vital information to help job seekers get the jobs they want, including eight workshops with 25 tips each on career planning, salary negotiation, job search techniques, interviewing, job benefits, CV writing and cover letter writing. Expert Advice also includes the Winning-Edge video workshop featuring best-selling author Richard Fein who helps users master the job search from start to finish. Over 50 video topics cover choosing the best CV styles, writing more effective CVs and letters, improving job interview skills, and managing a successful job search.

System Requirements 

CV Maker works with Microsoft Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT. The program requires a 486 Intel microprocessor or higher, 8MB of RAM, at least 20MB of disk space, a 256-color VGA monitor or better, double-speed (2x) CD-ROM drive or higher, speakers or headphones and a mouse.

About Individual Software

Individual Software Inc. is a leading developer and publisher of award-winning educational and productivity software programs that empower home and office computer users to excel in their daily lives. Founded in 1981, Individual Software's line of more than 60 titles includes CV Maker, Typing Instructor Deluxe, AnyTime Deluxe, the Professor Teaches Series, the Quick & Easy Learning Series, and the Individual Training Series for network and intranet-deliverable corporate computer-based training (CBT). Individual Software's World Wide Web address is http://www.individualsoftware.com.