What to include in your CV

Writing a good CV (Curriculum Vitae) is crucial for landing job interviews and securing your desired job.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you create and craft an effective CV

1. Choose the Right CV Format:

Chronological CV: Lists your work experience in reverse chronological order (most recent job first).

2. Contact Information:

Include your full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile (if applicable). Make sure your contact information is up-to-date and professional.

3. CV Profile Summary

Write a concise, compelling summary statement. This should briefly highlight your work experience, qualification, skills and achievements as you want to stand out. This is something I would highlight to include in your CV.

4. Work Experience:

List your work experiences in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job.

Include the job title, the name of the company, location, and dates of employment (month and year).

E.g., of layout

Dates –

Company Name –

Position –

 Provide detailed bullet points describing your responsibilities and achievements. Use action verbs and quantify your accomplishments when possible (e.g., “Increased sales by 20% in Q3 2022”).

5. Education:

List your educational background, starting with your most recent degree.

Include the degree earned, the name of the institution, graduation date, and relevant honours or awards.

6. Skills:

Highlight your key skills, both technical and soft skills, that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Use a bulleted list or a skills section to make them easily identifiable.

E.g., if computer literate and used Advanced Excel or SAGE for accounting list these.

7. Certifications and Training:

Include any relevant certifications, workshops, or training programs you’ve completed.

8. Professional Memberships:

Mention any memberships in professional organisations or associations related to your field.

9. Projects or Portfolio (if applicable):

Include a section showcasing relevant projects, publications, or a link to your portfolio website. Best add this as a separate document e.g., in Graphic design jobs

10. Languages (if applicable):

List any languages you speak and your proficiency level if relevant to the job.

11. References (optional):

It’s common to mention that references are available upon request. You don’t need to provide them on your CV unless explicitly asked.

12. Formatting Tips:

Use a clean, professional font and maintain consistent formatting throughout e.g., Times new roman 12

Keep your CV concise, ideally limiting it to no more than 3 pages.

Use bullet points for readability and avoid dense paragraphs.

Proofread your CV carefully to eliminate typos and errors.

13. Tailor Your CV:

Customise your CV for each job application by emphasising skills and experiences relevant to the specific job description. Don’t use the same CV for different job roles, Put some effort into it.

14. Update Your CV Regularly:

Keep your CV up to date with your most recent experiences, skills, and achievements.

15. Get Feedback:

Ask for feedback from trusted colleagues or mentors to ensure your CV is clear and compelling.

Remember, your CV is your marketing tool, so make sure it presents you in the best possible light and is tailored to the job you’re applying for. Adapt and refine it as needed for different positions and industries.

The right CV will get you an interview and that’s your number one goal.

So best put some effort into it, with relevant content too.

Good luck

Cathy