How to Write a CV for Job Applications?

It’s no secret that first impressions are important. In today’s competitive job market, your resume is often the first impression a potential employer has of you. So that’s why it’s crucial to stand out from the crowd with a CV that shows you pay attention to detail. 

As a result, prospective employers will see that you are meticulous and can be relied upon to see the finer points. Of course, any prospective employee would benefit from having this trait. 

But the question is, how exactly do you go about penning a terrific and spotless CV? To learn more about the process of how to write a CV, read on!

If you’re interested in learning more check out our blog about the Top 5 Remote Interview Questions!

Pick the right CV format

In order to land the job you want, you need to have a strong CV formatted correctly and highlight your most relevant skills and experience. However, with a variety of CV formats to choose from, it might be challenging to find the best fit. So the first thing to do is figure out what position you are applying for. 

You should utilize a more conventional CV layout if you seek a more traditional position at an organization like a bank or law firm. This means going for a minimalistic design free of frills like fancy fonts and images. 

However, if you submit your CV for a creative position in advertising or design, you have more leeway in layout. Colorful and unconventional layouts and color schemes are two possibilities. Your CV format should be carefully considered after you have settled on the overall tone. 

In general, you can choose between these three resume layouts:

1. Chronological CV: The chronological CV is the most common type of CV and is also the easiest to write. This CV type lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. This is an excellent format to use if you have a solid work history and want to highlight your career progression;
   
   
2. Functional CV: This resume format emphasizes your talents and qualifications rather than your past employment. If your employment history is spotty or you’re trying to make a career switch, this may be a viable choice;
   
   
3. Combination CV: This CV structure, a hybrid of the chronological and functional, is optimal for those with extensive, continuous work experience. This resume will begin with a professional profile in which you highlight your most relevant qualifications for the position, followed by a section detailing your supplementary talents and your work experience.

What to include in a CV?

When creating a CV, the first step is to choose the sections to be included. Of course, that’s easier said than done since it is challenging, and we all likely have plenty of questions about what to add and where. 

Continue reading because, in this section, we will discuss what information should be included in a CV to make things easier for you.

1. Contact details

There are a few things to keep in mind when including your contact details on your CV. First, make sure that the information is up-to-date and accurate. Second, don’t forget to include all of the relevant information. 

In addition to your name and contact information, including your location, website, and social media profiles. Finally, remember that your CV is a professional document. As such, it should be formatted in a professional manner.

2. Profile

Including a profile at the beginning of your CV is a great way to get the attention of the reader right away. Additionally, a profile can be a great way to highlight your key skills and achievements right from the start. 

So focus on the job-specific talents, experiences, and successes in your description. If you decide to include a profile, ensure it is appropriately written and unique. For example, use upbeat phrases like “self-assured,” “flexible,” “self-motivated,” and “excited.”

3. Education

Putting your educational accomplishments on your resume is a great way to demonstrate your eagerness and motivation to continue your education and grow as a professional.

Employers can benefit greatly from this since they are always trying to find team members open to new experiences and interested in developing their skills inside the firm. 

Your CV  needs to include the name and level of your qualification, the school you attended or the organization that granted you the qualification, and the date you acquired the certification.

4. Work experience

When listing your work experience, it’s essential to start with your most recent role and work backwards. This is because employers will be most interested in your most recent experience, which will be fresh in your mind. 

Next, include the company name, position held, dates employed, and a bulleted list of your responsibilities and accomplishments for each position. 

Your CV relies heavily on the experiences you earned in these positions because they give the hiring manager insight into your talents and abilities based on your work history.

5. Skills and achievements

Your ability to land your dream job depends on how well your resume presents your experience and accomplishments to potential employers. 

This section of your resume is where you brag about all the great things you’ve done in the past, such as the valuable talents you picked up and the relevant experiences you’ve gained. 

What you highlight here should be tailored to your sector, position, experience, and accomplishments. Use bullet points to make your resume more scannable. In this way, prospective employers can get a fast overview of your qualifications.

6. Interests

When writing your CV, including interests and hobbies can be a great way to stand out from the crowd and give potential employers an insight into your personality. 

However, before including any hobbies or interests, double-check to see whether they have any bearing on the position you’re applying for. 

Additionally, it’s important to temper your hobbies. Choose a handful of hobbies that represent you rather than listing every single one you have. Keep in mind that your CV should highlight your professional accomplishments and qualifications rather than your personal details.

7. References

Putting references on your CV is a fantastic idea if you have been working for a while and are seeking a position that demands a lot of experience. 

Potential employers would look favorably to candidates with relevant work experience who can provide glowing recommendations from their prior employers. 

When deciding who to include as a reference, try to choose people who can speak to your work ethic, skills, and abilities.

Optional sections to include in a CV

When you are writing a CV, there are many optional sections that you can include in order to make it more customized and improve your chances of getting the job you want.

Here are some of the most common optional sections to consider:

1. Certifications and awards

Identify and catalog any and all credentials you’ve attained that are directly applicable to the open position you’re seeking employment in. If you are unsure of the importance of including something, know that the easier way is to simply add it and remove it afterward instead of rethinking.

Be sure to list the name of the granting body beside the date you got each certification or award. In addition, if there is space, you can include a brief explanation of the certification’s or award’s requirements.

2. Languages

It’s essential first to determine which languages are truly necessary for the position you’re applying for. Put all the languages you can speak on your CV if the position calls for multilingual candidates. 

Also, think about which languages will make you more desirable to potential employers. For instance, if you want to work abroad, mentioning that you can speak the language(s) spoken there will make you more appealing to potential employers.

3. Personal projects

You may demonstrate to potential employers that you are self-motivated and up for new challenges by listing personal projects on your resume. A personal project might be anything from starting a blog to contributing code to an open-source initiative. 

Make sure to describe the steps you took to complete the task at hand, the resources you relied on, and the lessons you gleaned.

4. Volunteer experience

Volunteer experience is a great way to beef up your CV. Volunteering demonstrates to potential employers your dedication to the local community and your willingness to labor for little or no pay. 

Also, it’s a terrific chance to get your feet wet in a field you’re interested in but haven’t worked in before for pay. When describing your volunteering time, it’s essential to focus on what you learned and how it benefited you.

How to write a good CV?

The purpose of your CV is to showcase your skills and expertise to prospective employers quickly and concisely. Given its intended purpose, it must be written in a straightforward fashion with no spelling or grammar mistakes.

Hence, in light of this, here are a few things to keep in mind when crafting your CV:

~ Use active verbs when possible

In addition to helping you showcase your talents and expertise to prospective employers, using active verbs in your CV can make it more compact and simpler to read. 

Your resume will have more impact on a potential employer if you use active verbs to describe your talents and expertise. 

Using action verbs in your resume will show that you are a self-starter with a strong work ethic and initiative. This is considerably more interesting to potential employers than a dry compilation of data points.

~ A good CV doesn’t have any spelling or grammar mistakes

When you are applying for jobs, your CV is your first impression. If you want to impress potential employers, make sure your resume is well-written and error-free. 

To prove your worth as a candidate, you need a resume that stands out from the crowd. 

It will also show how detail-oriented you are and how well you express yourself in writing. Proofing your CV for spelling and punctuation errors is vital before sending it out.

~ Avoid generic and overused phrases

To make a good impression, your CV should not contain any cliches or overused phrases. This makes your resume less fascinating to read and obscures your strengths from potential employers. 

Instead, put your energy into finding the right words to represent your qualifications and experience. This will make you stand out from the other applicants and provide potential employers with a deeper understanding of who you are and what you can offer.

~ Tailor your CV

When tailoring your CV, the first place to start is with the job advert. Next, compile a list of the most important qualifications, experience, and personal qualities they’re seeking. Then, make sure to list each of them on your resume. 

When you have a good idea of what the company is looking for in a candidate, you can begin to emphasize your relevant experience on your resume.

Once you’ve finished tailoring your CV, it’s essential to check it for typos and errors before you send it off.

~ Don’t lie or exaggerate on your CV or job application

Always be truthful when filling out your resume or applying for a job. Getting found lying on a job application can be disastrous, leading to either immediate dismissal or severe trouble with your prospective company.

Additionally, it gives the appearance that you are more qualified and experienced than you are. If you are hired, you must prove that you are worthy of the high expectations placed upon you. 

However, if you aren’t cut out for the position, it won’t be long until people figure out the truth.

Do you need a CV or a resume: What’s the difference?

Although both documents give a general overview of your professional background and credentials, there are some significant variations that you should be aware of. The length of the CV might vary because it provides a thorough background of your academic accomplishments. 

In contrast, a resume gives a succinct overview of your abilities and experience for a particular employment; hence its length is often shorter and determined by years of experience. In general, a resume will not include as much information about your schooling or professional interests as it will about your employment history and talents. 

So, which document should you submit when applying for a new job? The answer may depend on the specific job or employer. The best course of action is to ask the employer if you are unclear about which paperwork to submit. They will be able to advise you on what details to include and let you know whether they prefer a CV or a resume.

Wrapping up

It’s essential to keep in mind that your CV is a marketing tool to show off your skills and experience to prospective employers. Make use of persuasive language, highlight your most applicable talents and expertise, and edit your CV thoroughly before sending. 

It’s essential to keep in mind that the requirements for a CV will change depending on the field you’re applying to and whether you’re applying for a position in another country or inside your own. Always modify your resume to fit the position or course you are applying for!

If you need some tips and tricks on how to succeed in a remote interview setting, check out our article 10 Tips On How to Ace Remote Interviews!