Creating a compelling CV can seem difficult, but there are five simple steps you can follow to create a polished, professional CV that’s optimised to convince potential employers that you are the right person for the job.
Not sure where to start with writing your CV? Consider using a CV maker – you can simply enter your details and then choose from a library of different formats, colour schemes, fonts, and more. Then download your completed CV instantly and get started applying for your dream job!
Now, here are the five steps to remember when creating your CV:
1. Don’t Forget the Basics
Remember to list your contact information, which includes your full name, your email address, your phone number, your LinkedIn profile URL, and a link to your portfolio or professional website if you have one. Besides that information, the next most important sections to include are your professional work experience and your education details.
While you can certainly breathe some life into your CV by including interesting personal details like hobbies, languages, awards, and so forth, remember that potential employers will primarily be looking at your work experience, followed by your educational background.
2. Be Succinct
Employers typically spend less than 10 seconds looking at each CV they receive, so it’s important that they can get the gist of your CV within that short timeframe. Avoid overwhelming them with a wall of text – opt instead for well-organized headings followed by succinct bullet points.
Additionally, include a personal statement (also sometimes called a personal profile) at the top of your CV, just beneath your contact information. Your personal statement should be 2-4 sentences that briefly sum up your entire CV, telling the employer who you are, what you have to offer the company in terms of skills and experience, and what your career goals are. This section serves to convince employers to continue reading the rest of your CV. The longer they spend reading your CV, the more likely they are to call you for an interview.
3. Quantify Your Professional Achievements
Whenever possible, quantify your accomplishments using numbers and percentages. In the bullet points under each of your past positions, focus on outlining your achievements with hard data to back them up, rather than just listing your job duties. Show the potential employer how brilliant you were at each of your past jobs instead of telling them about your responsibilities, which they have likely already deduced from your job title.
4. Tailor Your CV To Each Job Posting
Be sure to tailor your CV to each job that you apply for. Look for key words and phrases in the job advert that describe the skills, characteristics, and experience that the employer desires in a candidate. Then use the same words and phrases in your CV to show that you are an excellent fit for the position.
5. Proofread Your CV
Finally, proofread your CV thoroughly, or have a friend or family member look over it for you. Even a single typo can cause an employer to discard your CV, so check
