Make your mark: 5 Must-Know Tips for Crafting Your Ultimate CV and Standing Out

Your CV is the initial glimpse a potential employer gets of you. It's your sales pitch, summarizing who you are and what you've accomplished. Having an outstanding CV is crucial to making a lasting impression and standing out in a competitive job market.

Recent data indicates that hiring managers typically spend only 2–3 minutes reviewing a resume, with over 70% of resumes getting rejected in the initial screening process. Additionally, many companies now utilize AI tools to assess CVs against job ads.

Therefore, when crafting your CV, it's essential to invest time in making it the best it can be, as this document will be used to evaluate you against job requirements. Here are five tips to get you started:

Format:

Your CV should be a concise summary of your career history that presents you in a positive light. Aim for 2-3 pages, which is generally suitable for professional industries.

Put your best foot forward. While self-promotion might feel uncomfortable, remember, if you can't sell yourself, how can you expect others to want to buy it? Don't downplay your achievements.

Content:

This is crucial. A good CV should include the following key details:

• Personal Details: Full name, email, and phone number. Your physical address is optional.

• Professional Summary: Written in the third person.

• Work Experience: A summary of your work history, including company name, dates of employment, position, and a brief bullet point summary of your responsibilities. Typically, 4-6 roles or the last 10 years suffice.

• Education: Any formal qualifications such as diplomas or degrees.

• Skills: List your skills! If you're unsure where to start, here are some examples: leadership, problem-solving, data analytics, communication, organization, time management, attention to detail, teamwork, flexibility, negotiation, stakeholder engagement. Also, include any specific program skills relevant to your industry.

• Awards and Certifications: Showcase your achievements! List any awards or certifications, including first aid courses or online certificates.

• Interests: Use this section to showcase your interests outside of work. Consider how they can positively position you for the role you're applying for.

• Referees: Optionally include, stating 'Professional and personal references can be provided on request.'

Note: Arrange the content in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent.

Make it Visual:

Templates can be incredibly helpful. If you're not a design expert, don't worry. Several programs can transform your text-based document into a visually appealing format. Canva is recommended for its user-friendly interface and free templates. https://www.canva.com/resumes/templates/

Simply choose a template and input your text. For a simpler approach, Microsoft Word also offers resume templates. Save your final file as a PDF to ensure any formatting remains intact across all devices.

No Photos:

While personal preferences vary, it's generally advisable not to include a photo. Save the face-to-face meeting for the interview!

Proofread:

Lastly, take the time to proofread your CV before finalizing it. It's crucial to eliminate typos and grammatical errors. Additionally, ask a friend or family member to review your final draft with fresh eyes.