Mr CarryFoward
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- Mar 24, 2008
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Regardless of which format you use or what information you choose to include or omit, there are certain things you can do to help your CV stand out above the crowd.
In this lesson Ms Wedaeli of Kazi999.Com reviews tips and strategies for creating a winning CV and identify common mistakes to avoid in the process.
TIPS FOR WRITING A GREAT CV
In the next unit, we will be going into greater detail on how to write each section of your CV. However, before we begin, it's a good idea to understand the general tips and strategies that can really make your CV shine.
Consider using the following techniques as you approach writing your CV.
Customize your CV for each position you are submitting it for.
Use your summary or profile section to highlight your skills and expertise as they relate to the specific job. Better yet, carry this customization throughout the entire CV. It may be convenient to create several versions of your CV based on common positions you will be applying for, thus eliminating the amount of customization you will have to do for each job.
Make sure the rest of your CV supports your summary, profile, or objective.
If you include in your summary that you have been "a consistent top-seller for your region," you should include specific examples in the body of your CV to reinforce this statement.
Include key words on your CV.
Keep the job description close by when you are customizing your CV, so that you are including key words and phrases that fit the job, field, or occupation. Recruiters often scan a CV in under 15 seconds. They are looking for key words that show you have the skills and knowledge required for the position.
Be concise.
Since some recruiters look at as many as 500 CVs to fill one position, they want to see your accomplishments, skills, and experiences in as few words as possible. Bullet points and very concise language can showcase your communication skills while highlighting your areas of expertise.
List your past work accomplishments (not just your responsibilities) using some form of measures.
Hiring managers want to compare your skills and abilities to the other candidates they are considering. For example, tell them what percentage you increased sales or the number of staff that you managed or the specific scope of a project.
TIPS FOR DESIGNING A GREAT CV
You now have some strategies for how to write and phrase your text, but the way you design and format your CV for clarity and readability can be just as important.
Consider using the following techniques as you approach design and edit the text of your CV.
Use white space and bullet points to help emphasize what you want the hiring manager to know about you.
If the hiring manager is scanning to see if you meet the requirements, but can't easily spot the information, you may get overlooked.
Make it easy to read. Some ways to make sure your CV is easy to read include:
Using verb tense consistently. For your present job, you can use the present tense, such as "design and oversee production of building additions." For previous employment, use the past tense (designed and oversaw).
Varying your word choice. Even though you are trying to include key words, don't over do it. If the key phrase you are trying to include is strategic planning, use a thesaurus to find alternative words, like defined program goals and measures.
Using bold and italics to emphasize key words or skills. Be careful to not overuse this technique, though. If there are too many things in bold or italics, the emphasis is lost.
Using a larger point font for the headings and subheadings. This can help direct attention to certain areas of your CV and also demonstrates a strong level of organization.
Using a conservative font, like Times New Roman, Arial, or Tahoma. If the font is difficult to read, your CV may not get past the first look.
Including adequate white space. This can be done around your headings, blocks of text, and with margins. Hiring managers can use this area to take notes before, during, or after an interview.
Spell check, spell check, spell check! Almost every recruiter and hiring manager has a story about the CV they threw out because of a misspelled word. Typos and misspelled words show that you are not detail-oriented or conscientious about your work.
Do not rely on your spell-checking software alone. Look at the following example to see how easy it is for your spell-checker to miss mistakes (as seen in bold).
COMMON CV MISTAKES TO AVOID
There are several reasons that hiring managers consistently put CVs in the "No" pile. You want to avoid these common mistakes. On your CV,
Don't submit your CV for a position for which you are not qualified. This was cited as the number one "pet peeve" among HR professionals on a recent LinkedIn discussion. Make sure you meet at least the basic requirements. Think creatively, though, because sometimes the work you have performed outside of the field may help you meet job requirements.
Don't lie. Whether intentional or not, including false, inaccurate, or misleading information brings your ethics into question and can be illegal! Keep in mind that hiring managers are much more likely today to Google and/or conduct background checks to eliminate dishonest candidates.
Don't disregard references. While you do not need to post your reference information on your CV, you should at least have them listed on a separate document that can be easily supplied if requested. Make sure your references are willing and ready to discuss your skills and abilities with a potential employer.
Dont use more than two fonts. More than two fonts can make a document difficult to read. The reader's eye needs familiar and easy to read fonts, like Times New Roman or Tahoma.
Dont use clip art on your CV. Generally clip art is not considered professional and any style or formatting design should be minimal. However, if you are applying for a job in a creative industry then showcasing your design abilities on your CV may be more acceptable and appealing.
Dont include pictures. Unless it is required for the position, your photo is not necessary.
Dont include personal or health related information. This includes your birth date, height/weight, health or marital status, religion, or affiliations in clubs that are not related to your career.
Dont include salary information unless you are specifically asked to include it.
Don't misspell anything. Misspelling words, especially words about the position, make you appear careless and unreliable. Use a spell checker, and then have at least two other people proofread your CV for typos and errors. For more of such articles please visit Kazi999.com
In this lesson Ms Wedaeli of Kazi999.Com reviews tips and strategies for creating a winning CV and identify common mistakes to avoid in the process.
TIPS FOR WRITING A GREAT CV
In the next unit, we will be going into greater detail on how to write each section of your CV. However, before we begin, it's a good idea to understand the general tips and strategies that can really make your CV shine.
Consider using the following techniques as you approach writing your CV.
Customize your CV for each position you are submitting it for.
Use your summary or profile section to highlight your skills and expertise as they relate to the specific job. Better yet, carry this customization throughout the entire CV. It may be convenient to create several versions of your CV based on common positions you will be applying for, thus eliminating the amount of customization you will have to do for each job.
Make sure the rest of your CV supports your summary, profile, or objective.
If you include in your summary that you have been "a consistent top-seller for your region," you should include specific examples in the body of your CV to reinforce this statement.
Include key words on your CV.
Keep the job description close by when you are customizing your CV, so that you are including key words and phrases that fit the job, field, or occupation. Recruiters often scan a CV in under 15 seconds. They are looking for key words that show you have the skills and knowledge required for the position.
Be concise.
Since some recruiters look at as many as 500 CVs to fill one position, they want to see your accomplishments, skills, and experiences in as few words as possible. Bullet points and very concise language can showcase your communication skills while highlighting your areas of expertise.
List your past work accomplishments (not just your responsibilities) using some form of measures.
Hiring managers want to compare your skills and abilities to the other candidates they are considering. For example, tell them what percentage you increased sales or the number of staff that you managed or the specific scope of a project.
TIPS FOR DESIGNING A GREAT CV
You now have some strategies for how to write and phrase your text, but the way you design and format your CV for clarity and readability can be just as important.
Consider using the following techniques as you approach design and edit the text of your CV.
Use white space and bullet points to help emphasize what you want the hiring manager to know about you.
If the hiring manager is scanning to see if you meet the requirements, but can't easily spot the information, you may get overlooked.
Make it easy to read. Some ways to make sure your CV is easy to read include:
Using verb tense consistently. For your present job, you can use the present tense, such as "design and oversee production of building additions." For previous employment, use the past tense (designed and oversaw).
Varying your word choice. Even though you are trying to include key words, don't over do it. If the key phrase you are trying to include is strategic planning, use a thesaurus to find alternative words, like defined program goals and measures.
Using bold and italics to emphasize key words or skills. Be careful to not overuse this technique, though. If there are too many things in bold or italics, the emphasis is lost.
Using a larger point font for the headings and subheadings. This can help direct attention to certain areas of your CV and also demonstrates a strong level of organization.
Using a conservative font, like Times New Roman, Arial, or Tahoma. If the font is difficult to read, your CV may not get past the first look.
Including adequate white space. This can be done around your headings, blocks of text, and with margins. Hiring managers can use this area to take notes before, during, or after an interview.
Spell check, spell check, spell check! Almost every recruiter and hiring manager has a story about the CV they threw out because of a misspelled word. Typos and misspelled words show that you are not detail-oriented or conscientious about your work.
Do not rely on your spell-checking software alone. Look at the following example to see how easy it is for your spell-checker to miss mistakes (as seen in bold).
COMMON CV MISTAKES TO AVOID
There are several reasons that hiring managers consistently put CVs in the "No" pile. You want to avoid these common mistakes. On your CV,
Don't submit your CV for a position for which you are not qualified. This was cited as the number one "pet peeve" among HR professionals on a recent LinkedIn discussion. Make sure you meet at least the basic requirements. Think creatively, though, because sometimes the work you have performed outside of the field may help you meet job requirements.
Don't lie. Whether intentional or not, including false, inaccurate, or misleading information brings your ethics into question and can be illegal! Keep in mind that hiring managers are much more likely today to Google and/or conduct background checks to eliminate dishonest candidates.
Don't disregard references. While you do not need to post your reference information on your CV, you should at least have them listed on a separate document that can be easily supplied if requested. Make sure your references are willing and ready to discuss your skills and abilities with a potential employer.
Dont use more than two fonts. More than two fonts can make a document difficult to read. The reader's eye needs familiar and easy to read fonts, like Times New Roman or Tahoma.
Dont use clip art on your CV. Generally clip art is not considered professional and any style or formatting design should be minimal. However, if you are applying for a job in a creative industry then showcasing your design abilities on your CV may be more acceptable and appealing.
Dont include pictures. Unless it is required for the position, your photo is not necessary.
Dont include personal or health related information. This includes your birth date, height/weight, health or marital status, religion, or affiliations in clubs that are not related to your career.
Dont include salary information unless you are specifically asked to include it.
Don't misspell anything. Misspelling words, especially words about the position, make you appear careless and unreliable. Use a spell checker, and then have at least two other people proofread your CV for typos and errors. For more of such articles please visit Kazi999.com