Find out how to write that first CV
As someone on the hunt for a job, it is extremely handy if you know how to design or pen down a CV. Just any CV won’t do though. It needs to be able to paint a proper picture of the person you are, which is only possible if you put effort into assiduously arranging your skills, strengths, qualifications and experience.
If all this seems too complicated to you and you have no clue where to begin, then you’re in safe hands. Here’s the A-Z of crafting a thoroughly professional CV:
1. Put your information in order
After getting over the initial starting trouble, your work becomes much easier. This includes knowing how to arrange your CV.
How do you go about it? Stick with the basics. Your CV should ideally begin with details of your education, followed by any prior experience in the field. For those starting out their career, stress on academic experience or any extra-curricular activities and volunteering that you were part of. Mention any leadership roles that you have previously assumed, because employers will be on the lookout for such skills.
2. Keep it succinct
If you worry about your CV being short, don’t worry. Hiring managers don’t scan, they skim. So it’s best you keep your information terse and to-the-point. Let your credentials speak for themselves. Use bullet points to bring in more organisation, and when doing so, limit them to about 4 bullet points per job title or role. Try to fit (and not cram) it into one page.
3. Draw attention to your accomplishments
If you’re just starting out, then you might not have a page full of achievements to show them. Not to worry, instead just make use of any previous experiences that could be translated into skills on your CV. Even those that aren’t particularly related to careers could be mentioned. For example: Your athletic achievements display competitiveness, ability to work in a team, leadership abilities, etc.
4. Word it powerfully
Utilize the best of your vocabulary to make your CV stand out. This doesn’t mean anything too grandiose, though. There are certain action words that’ll accentuate your accomplishments more profoundly, such as: achieved, managed, delegated, generated, established, increased, etc. Phrases to avoid
include those such as “responsible for”, which sound too flaccid to make an impact.
5. Proof-read your CV
Grammatical errors, spelling errors and typos are huge turn-offs for hiring managers, which is why you need to re-check your CV a number of times before turning in the final draft. It might be difficult for the writer of the CV to spot his/her own mistakes, so get professional help or ask a few seniors to do it for you.
Another technique you can employ is to highlight the important bits.
These details although seemingly trivial, are crucial in order to present yourself as a professional. In a way, your CV isn’t just an inventory of your accomplishments, it’s also an example of your work.
This is a handwritten article by one of the experts at InterviewBuddy. InterviewBuddy connects students, job seekers & people looking to scale their career with elite industry experts to practice interviewing.
