How to write a CV
Your CV is continuingly growing with new skills, roles, or just adapting it to specific sectors or companies. There are a few questions the reader of your CV will ask: can you do the job? Will you suit the company? You should make sure that your CV can answer both questions. To answer these questions, you need to adjust your CV to match what the company is looking for, indicating clearly that your skills meet the needs of the company and pointing out the value that you can bring to the company.
Here we will look at how you can write the perfect CV and show your skills and suitability to the professional world.
Language
Use bullet points and avoid long sentences.
Keep it short and sweet.Avoid using past tense, use the present tense. For example: “Offers experience in”.
Avoid using past tense, use present tense. For example: “Offers experience in”.
Proofread
Read over your CV and check for spelling and grammar errors.
Get others to read over your CV as a fresh pair of eyes could spot more errors.
Layout
Leave plenty of white space and wide margins and this will help it look clean and uncluttered.
The recommended font size is 10 – 12 point for the main text and the maximum 16 for headings.
Use the same font throughout the document, avoid using capitals for whole words and always use bold for your headings.
Do not reduce the font size to make more information fit on one page if you need another page then use one or shorten the information.
Remember to only print on one side of the page and always number your pages if there are more than two pages.
Structure
Cover letter
This page is your chance to sell yourself to the company. This is where you will have a chance to try and grab the reader’s attention.
Remember to focus on what you can offer the company but keep it simple and to the point. Summarise your professional and personal attributes but consider the job specifications.
Personal information
Your personal information goes on the first page. Information such as I.D number, valid driver’s license, address, languages spoken, current gross salary, expected salary and contact details.
Many companies would like a head and shoulder picture in the top right corner of your CV. For this photo, you should be dressed suitability and smiling.
Work experience
Start with your current position and work backwards.
Add the names of the companies that you have worked for.
Treat every promotion as a new position and list all the duties and projects you did under the position.
Provide a starting date and finishing date for each position. If you have a lot of jobs, you can summarise them under a heading like “Previous employers” or “Earlier career”.
Describe any important career gaps, even if you weren’t working, you could have picked up some valuable skills.
Qualifications
The qualification section usually comes towards the end of a CV, however, if a qualification is required for the job, make sure you move this section to under your personal information.
List all the qualifications you have received. These could be professional, academic qualifications, degrees or executive programmes. Indicate the subjects you took and put a * by the subjects that were passed with distinction.
Include other skills that could be helpful such as languages, vocational training and technology.
References
Include a section with the names and contact details of your referrals on your CV, or you can keep them on hand for when the company requests them.
Remember to make sure you know who is willing to represent you.
Future proofing
Keeping your CV up to date will save you a lot of time. Keep updating your CV even if you are not looking for work. This will allow you to remember important dates, details and projects.