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While there isn’t a right way or wrong way to write a CV, there are some things you must include in your CV. Every CV should have the following: personal and contact information; education and qualifications; work history and/or experience; skills that relate to the job you are applying for, your interests, hobbies or achievements and some references. For help with your CV contact one of the top resume writing services in Sydney.
Presentation Matters a Lot
Carefully and clearly present your CV and print it on clean, crisp white paper. Make sure that the CV’s layout is well clean and well structured. If you are going to send your CV by post, use an A4 envelope to prevent crumpling or folding of your CV. When writing your CV, don’t forget the fact that the eyes of the recruiters often naturally fall in the upper middle area of a CV. Therefore, it is a good idea to write your most important information in the upper middle area of the first page of your CV.
Your CV Should Not Exceed Two Pages of A4
The length of your CV is a very important factor to consider when writing your CV as it may determine whether or not you get the job. It is good to write a clear, concise CV that gets straight to the point. Remember that recruiters don’t like reading a CV with lots of waffling.
So, write a short and sweet CV to increase your chances of getting the job you are applying for. Your CV will give a recruiter or potential employer a real insight into you as a person. As such, it is good to write your CV in the best way possible. One way to increase your chances of a job interview is to avoid writing a lengthy CV.
Employers don’t have time to read entire CVs cover to cover since they get many CVs. Most of the employers only check the sections of a CV and make a decision based on what they saw. So, keep your CV short and sweet.
Review and Understand the Job Description
It is important to understand what the job you are applying for entails by reading the job description and understanding it. While reading the job description, take notes to know all that the job requires. Create bullet points and highlight things mentioned in the job description.
If you don’t have a skill or some skills mentioned in the job description, adapt the skills you have. For instance, if the job needs a person with sales experience, you can mention any retail work you have done even if it is something you did as a part-time job at university. This will demonstrate your skills and their transferability.
Tailor Your CV to the Job Description
Once you have understood the job description and realized that you match the skills mentioned, write a CV that suits the job you are applying for. Some job applicants make a mistake of sending the same copy of a CV to different recruiters without matching it to the job description.
This costs them a lot. Avoid this by creating a unique CV whenever you apply for a job. Even if you are going to use the first CV you wrote as the foundation block, rewrite it to suit the job description of the job you are applying for.
Mention Your Transferable Skills
Some of your skills may make you unique. So, identify all your skills and mention them under the skills section. Some of the most important skills to include on your CV include computer skills, communication skills, problem-solving and speaking a foreign language. At times, skills spring up in unlikely places. So, identify any skills you have and mention them in your CV even if you take examples from being in a voluntary group or a local sports team.
List Your Interests
Mention the skills you have gained under the interests section of your CV. These skills should be those that your potential employer may be looking for. If you have ever been in a position of responsibility, mention it. If you have ever worked in a team, mention it. Also, mention anything that shows that you are a person who can use his or her initiative. For instance, if you started a successful weekend league football team or ran a successful university’s newspaper, mention it under the interests section.
Mention anything that will show how skilled, diverse and interested you are. However, avoid mentioning interests such as solitary hobbies that can make you look like a person who lacks people skills and passive interests such as watching TV. Your CV should say interesting and exciting things about you.
Make the Most of Your Work Experience
The work experience section of your CV is where you show your professional track record. This section needs assertive and positive language like “organized”, “developed”, or “achieved”. Check if your skills match the job you are applying for.
For instance, you can write: “This position involved planning, organization, and leadership as I was responsible for a team of people”, or “The work experience involved working in a team”. Ask yourself what you learned in a previous job and include the answers in your CV. Even if you worked in a restaurant and learned something, include it in the work experience section.
Include Some References
Your references can be your former supervisors or employers. Select people who will speak well of your character and showcase your character online and offline positively. However, if you have never been employed before, use a tutor or teacher as a referee. If you do, include 2 if possible.
Update Your CV From Time To Time
Regularly review your CV and add any new experience or skills missing from your CV. For instance, if you recently worked on a project or did some volunteering that is not in your CV, include it. Employers like job applicants who improve their experience and skills.
