How to create a professionally written CV?
Creating a professionally written CV or curriculum vitae requires careful attention to detail and focus on showcasing your skills, experiences, and achievements. Here are some tips to help you create a compelling and impressive CV:
- Start with a clear structure: Use headings and subheadings to organise your CV. At a minimum, it should be easy for a recruiter or hiring manager to scan and find the information they need quickly. Some standard sections include contact information, a summary or objective statement, work experience, education, and key skills.
- Tailor your CV for each job: Don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach. Customise your CV for each job you apply for, highlighting the most relevant achievements, experiences, and skills for that specific role.
- Use strong action verbs: Use active and specific verbs to describe your achievements and responsibilities. It will make your CV more dynamic and engaging.
- Highlight your achievements! Don’t just list your responsibilities in each job; focus on your accomplishments and how you made a difference in the organisation. Use specific examples and quantify your achievements with numbers or percentages.
- Keep it concise: Recruiters and hiring managers often receive hundreds of applications for a single position. Keep your CV to two pages or less, and make sure every word counts.
- Use a professional format: Choose a clean, easy-to-read font and use bullet points to break up long paragraphs. Avoid using too many graphics or colours, as this can be distracting and may not show using an ATS system.
- Proofread, proofread, proofread: Spelling and grammar mistakes can negatively impact a recruiter or hiring manager. Make sure to double-check your CV for errors before submitting it. You can use the free version of Grammarly to help your writing.
Remember, your CV is your chance to make a great first impression. Following these tips and crafting a thoughtful and effective CV can increase your chances of landing the job you want.
If you would like a free CV review, please fill out this form or email Rachel@specialistcvwriter.com or call 07919401751.