How Do I Write A Good CV For A Job Application?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  1. Make sure you know when to use a CV.
  2. Pick the best CV format.
  3. Add your contact information the right way.
  4. Start with a CV personal profile (CV summary or CV objective)
  5. List your relevant work experience & key achievements.
  6. Build your CV education section correctly.

How do I write a good CV?

  1. Use active verbs when possible. …
  2. A good CV doesn't have any spelling or grammar mistakes. …
  3. Avoid generic, over-used phrases such as ‘team player', ‘hardworking' and ‘multitasker'. …
  4. Tailor your CV. …
  5. Create the right type of CV for your circumstances. …
  6. Make sure your email address sounds professional.

What are the 5 main things your CV should include?

Every CV should include the following sections:

Contact Information, Personal Statement, Work Experience, Education, Skills

. Additional sections you can put on a CV include: Professional certifications, Hobbies and Interests, Languages, Volunteering, Projects, Publications, Awards and Conferences.

What is the best CV format 2021?

There are 3 common formats – reverse-chronological, functional, and combination (or, hybrid).

The reverse-chronological format

is the most popular one in 2021, and we always recommend you to go with that one.

How do I write a short CV?

  1. Personal identification. Start your CV with your basic contact information. …
  2. Your Education. Your education is an important part of your story, especially when applying for an academic position. …
  3. Work History. Work experience is a central part of your CV. …
  4. Awards and Honors.

What does a good CV look like 2020?

Ideally, I always suggest that a CV shouldn't be longer than two pages. Design: Your

CV should be simple and sober

. Don't use more than one colour (other than black and white) on your CV. The colour you use should not be too loud and bright.

How do I make a CV with no experience?

  1. Identify your most impressive qualities. via GIPHY. …
  2. Open with a personal statement. via GIPHY. …
  3. List skills rather than roles. via GIPHY. …
  4. Don't forget “obvious” skills. via GIPHY. …
  5. Treat your extra-curricular activities like jobs. via GIPHY. …
  6. Play up your degree. …
  7. Add some personality.

How do you end a CV?

  1. Emphasise your enthusiasm for the job role. …
  2. Reiterate how your experience and qualifications will benefit the employer. …
  3. Include a strong call to action. …
  4. Thank the reader for their time and consideration.

How do you describe yourself in a CV example?

  • Able. I am able to handle multiple tasks on a daily basis.
  • Creative. I use a creative approach to problem solve.
  • Dependable. I am a dependable person who is great at time management.
  • Energetic. I am always energetic and eager to learn new skills.
  • Experience. …
  • Flexible. …
  • Hardworking. …
  • Honest.

What should not be included in a CV?

  • An objective that makes no sense or is completely insane: …
  • Irrelevant job experience: …
  • Achievements that are not exactly achievements: …
  • A physical description: …
  • Proper hobby listing: …
  • Private information: …
  • Bad grammar:

How do I write my first CV?

  1. Full name.
  2. Contact details: Address, telephone, email.
  3. Personal statement: (see below)
  4. Key skills (see below)
  5. Education: Where you've studied, for how long, and what grades you got. If you haven't got any results yet, you can put what grades you've been predicted.
  6. Work experience.

How do you write a modern CV?

  1. Ditch the objective and replace with a professional summary. …
  2. Take advantage of keywords. …
  3. Utilise your skills section. …
  4. Remove old education dates. …
  5. Be mindful when listing work experience. …
  6. Structure your work experience so it fits the role. …
  7. Remove personal information.

Should you include a picture on your resume?

A resume should address your experience and skills in an articulate, concise and professional manner, so it's about knowing what to include in a resume that is of added value. For this reason, it's

recommended to avoid adding a photo on your resume

.

What is the pattern of CV?


Divide your CV into legible sections

: Contact Information, Personal Statement, Work Experience, Education, Skills, Additional Information. Make section headings slightly larger than the rest of the contents. Add a blank line before and after each heading. Save your CV in PDF to keep your formatting intact.

How do you sell yourself on a CV?

  1. Start with an impact. The top third of your CV has the greatest impact, so make sure the most important information is here. …
  2. Show what you can deliver. …
  3. Focus on the big picture. …
  4. Avoid the ‘responsible for' list of duties. …
  5. Speak the same language. …
  6. Be specific.

What is CV and example?

A curriculum vitae is

an exhaustive listing of all of the significant achievements in your career

. This includes education, research, work experience, publications, presentations, and anything else you've done in your professional life.

What makes a strong CV?

A good CV is

clear, concise and makes every point necessary without waffling

. You don't need pages and pages of paper – you just keep things short and sweet. A CV is a reassurance to a potential employer, it's a chance to tick the right boxes. And if everything is satisfied, there's a better chance of a job interview.

What is a skill example?

Skills are

the expertise or talent needed in order to do a job or task

. Job skills allow you to do a particular job and life skills help you through everyday tasks. It might take determination and practice, but almost any skill can be learned or improved. …

How a modern CV should look?

Font size and page margins: The body of your CV should be

between 10 and 12 point font

, and your headings between 14 and 18 points. Keep your page margins around 2.5cm, but never reduce them to less than 1.27cm or your CV will appear cluttered and hard to read. White space ensures clarity and professionalism.

How do you layout a CV?

  1. Name and contact details at the very top.
  2. Head the CV with an introductory profile.
  3. List your work experience in reverse chronological order.
  4. Finish with your education and qualifications.
  5. Hobbies and interests are optional.

How can a fresh graduate write a CV?

  1. Choose a good CV format and template.
  2. Put your contact information at the top.
  3. Write a graduate CV personal statement.
  4. Describe your education.
  5. Show off any work experience you have.
  6. List your skills.

How do you write computer skills on a CV?

  1. Find a job offer that matches your level of experience and skills. …
  2. Turn the computer skills listed in the job offer into achievements. …
  3. Mention your computer skills in the CV profile. …
  4. List the relevant computer skills in a dedicated skills section.

What can I put on my CV as skills?

  • Active listening skills. …
  • Communication skills. …
  • Computer skills. …
  • Customer service skills. …
  • Interpersonal skills. …
  • Leadership skills. …
  • Management skills. …
  • Problem-solving skills.

What hobbies should I put on my CV?

  • Playing sports (football, tennis, etc.)
  • Playing chess and solving puzzle games.
  • Reading and writing books and articles.
  • Drawing, sketching and painting.
  • Cooking and baking.
  • Travelling.

What are 3 words to describe yourself?

  • Diligent / Loyal / Reliable. I am always the first person my friends call because they know I am always there for them. …
  • Creative / Innovative / Visionary. …
  • Motivated / Ambitious / Leader. …
  • Honest / Ethical / Conscientious. …
  • Friendly / Personable / Extrovert.

How would you describe yourself in one sentence?

Sample answers:

I am a hard-working and driven individual who isn't afraid to face a challenge. I'm passionate about my work and I know how to get the job done. I would

describe myself as an open and honest person who

doesn't believe in misleading other people and tries to be fair in everything I do.

What are the do's and don'ts of CV?

  • Do Keep it concise with no more than two sides.
  • Do Steer clear of unnecessary information such as gender, age and religion.
  • Do Begin sentences with verbs, rather than writing in the first person.

How many pages should be a CV?

The average length of a CV should be around

two to three pages

. Employers do not have strict requirements on a CV's length, but making the length of your CV two to three pages helps the hiring manager digest your experience for the position they're hiring for.

Should I smile in my resume photo?

The first worry is always: “How should I pose for my CV photo, serious or smiling? ” Well it isn't necessary to bear your teeth at the camera, but

a small smile gives off an impression of friendliness and closeness

. If you don't want to smile, you can also say a lot with your eyes.

Is signature required in CV?

Is signature required in CV? A signature at the end of the resume in a way also acts as a validation by you that the details you mentioned in your resume are true to the best of your knowledge. … However, if you are sending an email cover

letter and resume, a signature might not be necessary

.

What do employers look for in a CV?

A good CV shares these qualities:

Your CV spells out you have the skills required for the job

.

Your CV demonstrates you understand the employer's objectives

and are motivated to deliver them. Your CV highlights you have a track record of delivering results for your employers.

What is the difference between CV and resume?

A resume is a one page summary of your work experience and background relevant to the job you are applying to. A CV is a

longer academic diary

that includes all your experience, certificates, and publications.

What does a good first CV look like?

As this is your first CV, you should aim to

fill one side of A4 comprehensively

, but no more than two pages. A personal profile is the place to tell the employer who you are and what you're looking for in no more than four lines. Clearly and simply state your current situation and what type of work you are seeking.

How can I make my CV stand out 2021?

  1. Make your resume visually appealing.
  2. Personalize your resume to match the job requirements.
  3. Focus on achievements, not just duties and responsibilities.
  4. Quantify whenever possible.
  5. Use the appropriate resume length.

How far back should a CV go?

As a rule of thumb, your CV should only list the

last 10 to 15 years of work experience

, or your last five to six employment positions if within this time frame. It keeps your CV highly relevant to the prospective employer.

Juan Martinez
Author
Juan Martinez
Juan Martinez is a journalism professor and experienced writer. With a passion for communication and education, Juan has taught students from all over the world. He is an expert in language and writing, and has written for various blogs and magazines.