Tips to Create a Great CV
Without a CV, it is hard for a person to get a new job. Creating a C.V for the sake of it is not a good idea because it won’t help you.
In this article, we are going to cover how to write a great CV, with tips from top resume writing services in Sydney. We will break this process into five simple steps.
1. Focusing on the basics
The basics of CV will always be the same although no two CVs are identical, they should be focusing on the obvious stuff. There are different approaches to take when creating a CV, but the best is mapping out the content. Doing this will help in forming a plan on what you will write about on the CV while ensuring all the basics have been covered.
At its core, a good CV should have:
- Personal information including contacts
- Education and qualifications
- Work experience and history of past positions/jobs
- Skills relevant to the position you are applying for
- Your interests (this will let the recruiter know some of the things you are into, and this will help in painting a picture of you as a person)
- Achievements (This will include awards related to the job you are applying for, especially if it positively relates to it)
This list can be used as the headings of the different sections of your CV, but ensure you have taken your time planning out every section so you don’t leave out important information. A small mistake like an inaccurate job description or missed qualification can easily cause you to lose out on a new job.
2. Don’t just write the CV – design it
The CV is going to be pages of words, but when used well, words can be as attractive as images in drawing people into your content.
It is a good idea to also design your CV instead of just writing it. When you present and structure your CV well, you are going to stand out from the many CVs that have been just sent out without investing time in designing it. There are some CVs that have not been updated for long.
When writing on the CV, try writing short paragraphs and sentences that can be easily understood. You should also use punctuation correctly, plenty of bullet points, properly-sized headings when illustrating experiences and your abilities. You should avoid using fancy fonts and choose fonts like Arial or Helvetica.
You will also need to think about presentation once you are done with the CV. If you are going to send it by email, `try not to send the Word document that you created the CV in. Export the word document to PDF file (It is easy to do this on MS Word). This will make it easier for the recruiters and it will add some gravitas. If you are going to print your CV (this is still common in this age), you should choose good quality paper to print on and avoid folding the CV, choose an A4 envelope.
If you invest time and effort into your CV, you will end up with something people will be interested in reading.
3. Avoid more than two pages
A good CV is one that is not longer than two pages. It should not be short; having a one page CV is not a good idea because it is too light and will send the message that there is little information about yourself. You will be able to fit your CV into two pages if you include the sections stated above. When recruiters are going through the many documents, they will look at the number of pages, and if you have three or more pages, there is a risk they will move on your CV because they have to go through a lot of documents in a short period of time. This can happen even if your CV is fabulous.
4. Tailoring your CV to the role
People tend to use the same CV to apply to for different jobs because it is much easier compared to writing a new one every time they apply for a job. Most people do this and think it makes no difference, but it does.
When you send out the same CV for different jobs, you end up missing the chance of tailoring your CV so it matches the job you are applying for.
The good thing is you don’t have to start from scratch every time you need to send out an application because the basics are the same. You can leave your personal information, employment history, and experience the way they are. Where you will need to make some changes is in additional qualifications or experience that is relevant to the position you are applying for.
If you have a hobby that you like that is related to the job you are interested in and you think might impress the recruiter, consider adding it to your CV. Maybe that could be the one thing that sets you apart from the rest and could help you get the interview.
5. Telling a story
A popular way businesses are using to market themselves is by telling the story of their business, the products, and the benefits that customers get. When you are looking for a job, you are marketing yourself, and this is why you need to use this method for your CV.
If your CV is just bulleted points listing your experience and achievements will get lost in a sea of similar CVs. What you need to do is stand out from the rest. What you need to do with your CV is drawing in the reader, and the best way to do this is telling a story.
Instead of filling the pages with bulleted points of your achievements, add some context and substance to each of them. What impact did it have on the business? How did you feel? What were the results?
Look at the various roles are different mini-plays in your life story. What were you able to learn and take away from those roles?