The Centre for Excellence recently hosted an insightful Masterclass titled ‘Get Hired on Paper First’, guiding students through the essential art of presenting themselves with confidence, clarity, and authenticity in their Curriculum Vitae (CV), long before they walk into an interview room.
The session was conducted by Mrs Judy Menoji Kalupahana, a seasoned HR strategist with more than two decades of progressive experience. She is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, United Kingdom (FCIPD), and an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Sri Lanka (ACIPM). She currently serves as a Lead Consultant and lecturer in HR Strategy, Talent Management, and Leadership Development.
At the heart of the Masterclass was a compelling message: getting hired begins long before the interview. It begins on paper. A CV is often the first interaction a candidate has with a prospective employer and, in many cases, the only opportunity to secure an interview.
Mrs Kalupahana encouraged students to reflect carefully on their identity as candidates. She explained that recruiters look beyond academic qualifications, seeking a balanced combination of knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Success is shaped not only by what a candidate knows, but also by how they communicate, conduct themselves, and demonstrate their values and work ethic. Students were urged to take ownership of their personal narrative and present it with intention from the very first line of their CV.
She explained that a CV is a candidate’s first and most powerful opportunity to make an impression, often within seconds. A strong CV presents achievements in a coherent and purposeful manner, while a weak CV can appear generic, cluttered, and unfocused. Students were encouraged to approach CV writing thoughtfully and with the reader in mind.
Drawing from her professional experience, Mrs Kalupahana shared that recruiters typically spend only six to ten seconds scanning a CV. If the first impression is not favourable, the opportunity may be lost. She guided students through the shortlisting process, explaining how CVs are assessed against job criteria and why applications tailored clearly to a role are more likely to stand out.
In today’s recruitment environment, a candidate’s self-presentation must often pass through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) before reaching a recruiter. Students were advised to incorporate relevant keywords from job descriptions, maintain clear formatting, and avoid complex design elements that may interfere with digital screening systems.
Mrs Kalupahana also introduced students to the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in recruitment. She encouraged them to use AI-powered tools responsibly to refine their self-presentation while maintaining authenticity. Students were guided on the use of Canva for visually presenting their personal brand in suitable professional contexts, and Microsoft Word as a trusted and widely compatible platform for preparing professional CVs.
The session also highlighted the importance of holistic development. Co-curricular activities, leadership roles, community service, the arts, and sport, all central to the Trinity College experience, were presented as valuable aspects of a student’s profile rather than secondary achievements. Students were encouraged to recognise these experiences as meaningful reflections of character, commitment, and leadership.
The Centre for Excellence wishes to place on record its sincere gratitude to Mrs Judy Menoji Kalupahana for generously dedicating her time and expertise to the students of Trinity College, Kandy.
The Centre further acknowledges the guidance of the Principal and Vice Principals in supporting initiatives of this nature. The Centre for Excellence, under the coordination of Mr Wasana Dissanayake, looks forward to organising many more enriching sessions for students in the future.
