CV/Resume Strategy

Instruction file imported from marvinkassabian/resume (.github/instructions/cv-resume-strategy.instructions.md). Copyright stays with the author.

CV vs. Resume Strategy

Core Principle

• CV (src/kassabian_marvin_cv.tex) is the source of truth and must remain authentic.

  • Document actual experience, skills, and accomplishments as they happened.
  • Small exaggerations are acceptable (better framing, selective emphasis), but no invented projects, employers, dates, or skills.
  • Serves as the authoritative reference pool for any resume tailoring.

• Resume (src/kassabian_marvin_resume.tex) can be tailored to each job posting.

  • Select, reorder, and reframe content from the CV to maximize alignment with the target role.
  • Can include skills, technologies, or brief experience bullets that are plausibly supported by the CV but not explicitly listed (e.g., "Angular" or "Java" if the CV demonstrates nearby full-stack work without naming them directly).
  • May omit authentic experience if it doesn't serve the target role.
  • Must not invent facts (projects, dates, employers, metrics) that are entirely absent from the CV.

Workflow

1. When tailoring a resume for a job posting:

   • Create a job-specific branch: docs/YYYYMMDD-company-position
   • Consult the CV first to identify what is authentically available.
   • Update only src/kassabian_marvin_resume.tex.
   • Do not modify the CV for job tailoring.

2. When adding new authentic experience:

   • Update both src/kassabian_marvin_cv.tex and any active tailored resumes, or note that old branches will have stale resume content.
   • CV updates should reflect verified experience first.

3. Before committing resume edits:

   • Verify that every claim is either verbatim from the CV or a defensible reframing supported by CV content.
   • Note any gaps that remain unfilled by the CV.

Rationale

• Keeps the CV clean and verifiable for reference checks or follow-up conversations.
• Allows resume optimization without ethical compromise or inconsistency risk.
• Maintains a clear audit trail of what is sourced fact vs. job-specific emphasis.