A CV is basically a document that gives a summary of your skills, achievements, and work experience for the job you want. What is a CV for? People use it when they are first looking for a job to show off their skills to potential employers. Do I really need a CV? Oh yes, having an awesome CV can totally help you score an interview. This article lays out some easy steps to help you make a stellar CV that boosts your chances of getting a job.
You may be asking why it is advisable to begin by looking at the job advertisement for the position you are applying for. This approach will help you think about how your skills and experiences match the job requirements, and then gather the info you need, like:
- The credentials you have
- What jobs have you had before and any volunteer work you have done?
- Info about your past bosses
- Any training programs you have aced?
You got to use the CV format that works best for the employment opportunity you want and where you are at in your career or life. What kind of CV layouts do I have to choose from? You can pick from a bunch of different choices:
- You can totally use a creative CV in the digital and creative arts field. Add some infographics and videos, link it to your online portfolio, or use other fancy tech to make it stand out.
- You can use a technical CV in fields like engineering and information technology to show off your skills that are relevant to the industry.
- You can certainly highlight your qualifications and awesome character traits with a skills-based CV.
- You may also go with a chronological or traditional CV. Start with your most recent stuff, like work experience and education.
- If you are going for research and teaching positions, you might want to use academic CVs because they are usually longer than skills-based or traditional CVs.
You should put your contact info in your CV so employers have no trouble contacting you for an interview. What should I add?
- Please place your name at the top of the page
- Indicate a phone number that is active during business hours
- It would be helpful to have a professional-sounding email account.
- Feel free to drop some links to your professional networking profiles, like LinkedIn
It would be best to include your personal profile right below your name and contact info. Why is a personal profile vital to an employer? By using this strategy, you can make sure that your profile portrays you as the top contender for the job. But hey, if you are struggling to put together a personal profile or CV, do not stress about it. If creating your CV is giving you trouble, you could consider getting writing help.
What if I am just starting out in my career or do not have much job experience? Do not worry about it, just add this part after your personal profile, and you will be good. All you need to do is give the information below, in whatever order you see fit:
- Provide a rundown of your qualifications
- Applicants must list the colleges, universities, or high schools that they attended
- When did you go to school?
Make sure you talk about any internships, volunteer gigs, or jobs you have had when applying. How should I outline my professional background? You are welcome to do so by using the list that is provided below:
- Your ex-boss’s details
- The job
- When you worked there
- Your professional responsibilities
Do not worry, having gaps in your professional record does not mean you are destined to fail. You could try making a skills-based CV. It might come in handy in this situation. When you are applying, just make sure to give some examples of the skills you picked up while you were not working and talk about how you got better at them. What if I need help articulating situations in which I was unable to work? These organizations might be able to help out:
- If you are in need of help and have a criminal record, Nacro is a good option to explore
- Carers UK can totally help you get back to work after being a caregiver.
- If you have dealt with mental illness, you might want to check out Rethink
What if I do not have enough work experience? Your passions and pastimes might help you sell yourself as the right candidate for the position in question. Make sure you mention some examples that show off your awesome skills.
Adding references is the final thing you have to do when making your CV. You can definitely leave out some details about your references or just say they are “available upon request” at this point. But your potential boss will probably ask for them later.
These tips in the article will absolutely help you create a wonderful CV
The suggestions in this article should help you prove why you are a good fit for the position you’re applying for. If you know what the panel of recruiters is searching for in a CV and how to effectively present it, you will have a much greater chance of obtaining the position.
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