Welcome to Subil Recruiters' Blog
News, Work Abroad!
How to Write A CV That Gets You Hired
In today’s competitive job market, having a killer CV can make all the difference in landing your dream job. Your CV is often the first impression a potential employer will have of you, so it’s crucial to make it stand out from the crowd. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to crafting a killer CV that showcases your skills, experience, and qualifications in the best possible light.
Understanding the Purpose of a CV
A CV, which stands for Curriculum Vitae, is a detailed document that summarises your academic, professional, and personal achievements.
Here Are The Main Purposes Of A CV:
- To Showcase Your Skills and Experience: Your CV should highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to the position you are applying for. Use keywords from the job description throughout your CV to make it clear that you have the qualifications they are looking for.
- To Demonstrate Your Achievements: Use your CV to quantify your achievements and results whenever possible. This will help give employers a better understanding of your impact and potential value.
- To Make a Good First Impression: Your CV is often the first impression you will make on a potential employer, so it’s important to make sure it is well-written, professional, and error-free.
- To Secure an Interview: The ultimate goal of your CV is to secure an interview. By effectively showcasing your skills and experience, you can increase your chances of being invited to interview for the position.
Research and Preparation
Before you start writing your CV, it’s essential to do some research. Take the time to learn about the company you’re applying to and the specific job role you are interested in. This will help you tailor your CV to match the employer’s needs and demonstrate why you are the perfect fit for the position.
- Research the company’s mission, values, and culture.
- Review the job description carefully to understand the key requirements and skills needed.
- Identify specific examples from your experience that align with the job requirements.
Structuring Your CV
When structuring your CV, it’s important to keep it organised and easy to read. Start with a compelling headline that grabs the reader’s attention and clearly states your career objective. Follow this with sections for your contact information, professional summary, work experience, education, skills, and any additional relevant information.
- Use clear headings and bullet points to organise each section of your CV.
- Consider using a chronological format to highlight your most recent and relevant experience first.
- Keep your CV concise and focused, aiming for no more than two pages in length.
Writing the Professional Summary
Your professional summary is your chance to make a strong first impression. Use this section to highlight your key skills, experiences, and accomplishments in a concise and compelling manner. Tailor your summary to match the specific job you’re applying for, and use keywords from the job description to help your CV stand out to potential employers.
- Start with a brief overview of your professional background and experience.
- Highlight your most relevant skills and achievements that demonstrate your suitability for the role.
- Use action verbs like “spearheaded,” “increased,” or “streamlined” to describe your achievements.
- Quantify your impact whenever possible using numbers, percentages, or other metrics.
Showcasing Work Experience
When listing your work experience, be sure to include relevant details such as job titles, dates of employment, and key responsibilities. Use bullet points to highlight your achievements and accomplishments in each role, and quantify your results whenever possible. This will help demonstrate the impact you’ve had in previous positions and showcase your value to potential employers.
- Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your bullet points.
- Focus on quantifiable achievements and results to demonstrate your contributions.
- Tailor your work experience to highlight skills and experience relevant to the job you are applying for.
Highlighting Education and Qualifications
In the education section of your CV, list your academic qualifications in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent degree or certification. Include the name of the institution, the degree or qualification obtained, and the dates of attendance. If you have any relevant certifications or additional training, be sure to include these as well.
- Highlight any specialised training or certifications that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.
- Keep this section concise and focused on the most relevant educational experiences.
Showcasing Skills and Abilities
In the skills section of your CV, highlight both technical and soft skills that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. This might include things like proficiency in specific software programmes, communication skills, or leadership abilities. Use concrete examples to demonstrate how you’ve used these skills in previous roles, and tailor your list to match the requirements of the job description.
- Divide your skills into categories such as technical skills, soft skills, and language proficiency, if applicable.
- Use specific examples or projects to demonstrate your proficiency in each skill.
- Avoid listing generic skills without providing context or examples to support them.
Adding Additional Sections
In addition to the standard sections of a CV, you may also want to include additional information that showcases your personality, interests, or extracurricular activities, particularly if you lack enough work experience or are fresh out of school. This could include volunteer work, awards or honours, or hobbies that demonstrate relevant skills or qualities. Use this section to help employers get a sense of who you are as a person and what you can bring to the role.
- Include relevant volunteer experiences that demonstrate your commitment to community involvement.
- Highlight any relevant awards or honors that showcase your achievements and recognition.
- Use this section strategically to provide additional context or insights into your qualifications and interests.
Design and Formatting Tips
When it comes to the design and formatting of your CV, simplicity is key. Choose a clean, professional layout that is easy to read and navigate. Use consistent formatting and fonts throughout, and avoid using excessive graphics or images that could distract from the content of your CV. Remember, the goal is to make it as easy as possible for potential employers to quickly assess your qualifications and suitability for the role.
- Use a clean, professional font such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
- Choose a layout that allows for plenty of white space and clear section headings.
- Avoid using fancy fonts or graphics that may not be compatible with all systems or may distract from the content of your CV.
Proofreading and Editing
Once you’ve written your CV, take the time to carefully proofread and edit it for errors. Check for spelling and grammar mistakes, ensure consistency in formatting and style, and double-check that all contact information is accurate and up-to-date. Consider asking a friend, family member, or professional mentor to review your CV as well, as they may be able to offer valuable feedback and suggestions for improvement.
- Use spelling and grammar checking tools such as Grammarly or Microsoft Word’s built-in spell check.
- Read your CV out loud to catch any awkward phrasing or grammatical errors.
- Have someone else review your CV to provide a fresh perspective and identify any areas for improvement.
Optimizing for ATS
Many employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen incoming resumes and CVs. To ensure that your CV gets past these systems and into the hands of a human recruiter, it’s important to optimise it with relevant keywords and phrases from the job description. This will help increase the chances of your CV being seen by the right people and improve your chances of landing an interview.
- Use keywords from the job description throughout your CV to demonstrate your fit for the role.
- Avoid using abbreviations or acronyms that may not be recognised by the ATS.
- Keep your formatting simple and avoid using tables, graphics, or columns that may cause issues with the ATS parsing software.
Finalizing Your Killer CV
Before sending out your CV, take one final look to make sure everything is in order. Review it for relevance, clarity, and consistency, and make any final adjustments or tweaks as needed. Once you’re satisfied with the final product, save your CV in the appropriate format (usually PDF) and send it off with confidence, knowing that you’ve put your best foot forward in the job application process.
- Double-check all contact information to ensure it is accurate and up-to-date.
- Review your CV on different devices and platforms to ensure compatibility and readability.
- Save your CV as a PDF to preserve formatting and ensure it looks the same to all recipients.
Writing a killer CV takes time, effort, and attention to detail, but the results can be well worth it. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create a CV that effectively showcases your skills, experience, and qualifications and sets you apart from the competition. Remember, your CV is your personal marketing tool, so make sure it’s polished, professional, and tailored to the job you are applying for. With the right approach, you can increase your chances of landing interviews and ultimately securing your dream job.
Your CV is the first point of contact with the employer, and you need to make an impression at a glance. Recruiters only need to glance at your CV for seconds to know whether or not you are worth the time. How do you then catch the attention of the recruiter at a glance?
I have seen a lot of CVs, which makes me say it is no wonder no one is responding to your application. The CV is not fit for the very competitive market. Recruiters are busy; some of them receive hundreds of CVs, which makes it harder for them. That is why your CV must be one of the ones that will catch the attention of that busy recruiter. The CV will make that employer or recruiter the one doing the chasing.
Are you ready to craft your own killer CV? Start by reviewing the tips and strategies outlined in this guide, and then get to work putting them into action. Remember to tailor your CV to each job application and highlight your unique skills and experiences. With a killer CV in hand, you’ll be well on your way to landing your dream job. Good luck!
Our best interview techniques. If you need help with your CV, contact us!
