How to write a CV

Writing a CV (Curriculum Vitae) can be a crucial step in landing a job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to write an effective CV:

Personal Information:

Start with your full name, address, phone number, and email address.

Optionally, you can include a LinkedIn profile or a personal website if it's relevant to your profession.

 

Professional Summary/Objective (Optional):

A brief overview of your skills, experience, and career goals.

Tailor this section to match the job you're applying for.

 

Work Experience:

List your work experience starting with the most recent job.

Include the job title, the name of the company, location, and dates of employment.

Describe your responsibilities and achievements in each role using action verbs and quantify your accomplishments where possible (e.g., "Increased sales by 20%").

Focus on relevant experience that aligns with the job you're applying for.

 

Education:

List your educational qualifications with most recent education first.

Include the name of the institution, degree obtained, graduation date (or expected graduation date), and any relevant honours or awards.

You can also include relevant coursework, projects, or academic achievements.

 

Skills:

Include a section highlighting your skills relevant to the job.

Divide your skills into categories such as technical skills, software proficiency, languages spoken, etc.

Be honest about your skill level and avoid exaggerating your abilities.

 

Certifications and Training (Optional):

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

Mention the issuing organisation, the date of completion, and any other important details.

 

Achievements and Awards (Optional):

If you have received any awards or honours related to your work or education, include them in a separate section.

Highlight any significant accomplishments that demonstrate your skills and abilities.

 

References (Optional):

You can either include references directly on your CV or simply state that references are available upon request.

If you choose to include references, provide the names, titles, contact information, and a brief description of your relationship with each reference.

 

Formatting:

Keep the layout clean, organised, and easy to read.

Use a professional font and maintain consistent formatting throughout the document.

Aim for a CV length of one to two pages, depending on your level of experience.

 

Proofread:

Before submitting your CV, carefully proofread it for typos, grammatical errors, and formatting issues.

Consider asking a friend or family to review it as well for additional feedback.

Remember to customise your CV for each job application by emphasising the most relevant skills and experiences. Tailoring your CV to match the job requirements can significantly increase your chances of getting noticed by employers.