Your CV is an opportunity for you to communicate your skills, proficiency, work history and education to prospective employers. The following steps can help you prepare your CV:
1. Select your CV format
The traditional CV format is in reverse-chronological order, this requires you to put your most recent job position first and allows you to accentuate your recent duties and responsibilities. It is the most preferred format by employers because it is simple to read and scan.
2. Contact information and personal details
It is not necessary to include your physical address but always include your email address and phone number as a minimum.
3. Resume summary
Writing a resume summary is an opportunity for you quickly summarise your work history in 3-4 lines.
4. Mention work experience & key achievements
This section is one of the vital parts of CV writing. In the work experience section of your CV, you should detail your current (if applicable) and previous roles, including any key duties. Adding your key achievements may assist you gaining the competitive edge.
5. List your education
Education is an essential part of CV writing; it is added according to the most recent course you have completed. You should note the name of the qualification you achieves and the institution that you received it from. Always ensure you are not mentioning any false information throughout your CV, particularly under education or results as some employers may ask for proof of this education once you start.
6. Put relevant skills according to the job post
Throughout your CV you should always ensure that your relevant skills match the job post. Mentioning a range of technical, communication and soft skills is important information for prospective employers.
Additionally, writing down your Hobbies and interests, Volunteer work, Internship experience, Certifications, awards, and Languages can enhance your CV to stand out.
7. Complement your CV with a cover letter
A CV should always be accompanied by a cover letter. A cover letter is an opportunity for you to directly address the criteria that is listed within the job advert, you are able to expand upon examples that you have mentioned in your resume.
Some final tips would be to ALWAYS double-check your CV before sending it to the employer, scan your resume and cover letter twice for any mistakes. Then, you can also ask a friend or family member to recheck it. You should always send both your CV and cover letter via pdf format, never a word document as it will ensure your formatting is correct.