KEY POINTS TO WRITE A GOOD CV
Writing a good and accepted CV (curriculum vitae) requires presenting your qualifications, skills, and experiences in a clear, concise, and structured way that aligns with the expectations of potential employers. Here's a step-by-step guide to crafting a CV that stands out:
1. Choose the Right Format
There are three main types of CV formats, and choosing the right one is essential:
Reverse Chronological (most common): Lists your work experience starting with the most recent.
Functional: Focuses on skills and qualifications rather than work history. This format is useful if you have gaps in employment or are switching industries.
Combination: A mix of both, emphasizing both skills and work experience.
2. Structure of a Strong CV
Ensure that your CV has the following sections:
a. Header (Personal Information)
Full Name
Contact Information (Phone number, professional email address, LinkedIn profile link, portfolio if relevant)
Location (optional)
b. Professional Summary/Objective
A brief (3-4 sentences) overview of your career highlights and goals:
Professional Summary: Use if you have years of experience. Highlight key achievements.
Objective: Use if you're just starting out or transitioning to a new field. Mention the role you’re applying for and how your skills align with it.
Example:
Experienced marketing professional with over 5 years in digital strategy, content creation, and brand management. Seeking to leverage my expertise to grow XYZ’s online presence and increase engagement.
c. Work Experience
Company Name – Location – Job Title (Month/Year started – Month/Year ended)
Bullet points to summarize key responsibilities and achievements
Focus on quantifiable results (numbers, percentages, etc.) and use action verbs (e.g., "led," "developed," "implemented").
Start with your most recent position and go backwards.
Example:
ABC Corp, Marketing Manager (June 2020 – Present)
Developed social media campaigns, increasing online engagement by 25%.
Managed a team of 5, collaborating with cross-functional teams to launch 10+ successful projects.
d. Education
Institution Name – Degree (Month/Year of graduation)
Mention relevant honors, certifications, or GPA (if above 3.5).
Only list high school if you haven’t completed college.
Example:
XYZ University – Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (May 2021)
e. Skills
List relevant hard and soft skills. Tailor them to the job description. Avoid generic skills like “proficient in Microsoft Office” unless they are specific to the role.
Hard Skills: Technical or industry-specific (e.g., project management, Python programming, graphic design).
Soft Skills: Personal attributes that affect work (e.g., leadership, communication).
Example:
Hard Skills: SEO, Google Analytics, Adobe Photoshop
Soft Skills: Problem-solving, Team collaboration, Time management
f. Certifications/Training (if applicable)
If you have relevant certifications, such as software certifications or industry-specific qualifications, list them here.
Example:
Certified Scrum Master (CSM) – August 2023
g. Languages (if applicable)
If you are fluent in more than one language, mention it, especially if it’s relevant to the job.
Example:
English (Fluent), Spanish (Professional working proficiency)
h. Projects (if applicable)
If you have worked on significant projects, especially in tech, design, or management, list them here. Make sure to explain your role and the results.
Example:
Developed an e-commerce website for a local business, boosting sales by 30% in 6 months.
3. Tailor Your CV to Each Job
Keywords: Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan CVs. Match keywords from the job description to ensure your CV is flagged as relevant.
Job-Specific Content: Highlight experiences and skills that are most relevant to the job you're applying for.
4. Use Professional Language
Keep the language formal and professional.
Avoid unnecessary jargon.
Use short, concise sentences and action verbs (e.g., "developed," "managed," "optimized").
5. Proofread
Errors can be a big turn-off for employers. Proofread your CV for:
Grammar and spelling mistakes.
Formatting consistency (font size, bullet points, date alignment).
Clarity: Ensure that the information is easy to read and well-organized.
6. Keep It Short
Keep your CV 1-2 pages long.
Only include relevant experiences and skills. Cut out unnecessary details that don’t add value.
7. Design and Formatting Tips
Use a clean, professional design (simple fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman).
Use consistent formatting (e.g., same font size for all headings and text).
Keep enough white space to make the document readable.
Avoid excessive colors or graphics unless you’re applying for a creative role.
8. Additional Tips
Quantify Achievements: Use numbers wherever possible to showcase your impact (e.g., "Increased sales by 30%").
Use strong verbs: "Led," "Managed," "Developed," "Improved" show ownership of your achievements.
Highlight progression: If you've advanced in roles, show how your responsibilities grew over time.
1. CV Example Template:
John Doe
Email: john.doe@example.com | Phone: +123-456-7890 | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johndoe | Location: City, Country
Professional Summary:
Result-driven marketing specialist with 5+ years of experience in digital marketing strategies, brand management, and customer engagement. Successfully increased online traffic by 40% for XYZ Company. Seeking to contribute to [Company Name] in optimizing digital marketing strategies.
Work Experience:
XYZ Corp – Digital Marketing Manager (Jan 2021 – Present)
- Designed and implemented digital marketing campaigns, increasing organic traffic by 40%.
- Managed a team of 8 to execute PPC and social media strategies, leading to a 15% increase in lead generation.
ABC Ltd – Marketing Associate (Aug 2018 – Dec 2020)
- Conducted market research and analysis, identifying trends that boosted customer acquisition by 20%.
- Assisted in the creation and launch of three successful product lines.
Education:
University of ABC – Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing (May 2018)
- Graduated with Honors
Skills:
- SEO & SEM
- Google Analytics
- Social Media Strategy
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Data Analysis
Certifications:
- Google Ads Certified – 2022
- HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification – 2023
2. Here’s a standard CV format that you can use as a template for your own CV:
[Your Full Name]
Email: [Your Email Address] | Phone: [Your Phone Number] | LinkedIn: [LinkedIn URL] | Location: [City, Country]
Professional Summary
A concise 3-4 sentence summary of your professional background, key achievements, and the type of role you’re seeking. Tailor this section to the specific job you're applying for.
Work Experience
Job Title – Company Name | Location
Start Date (Month/Year) – End Date (Month/Year or "Present")
- Bullet point 1 (Responsibilities and achievements)
- Bullet point 2 (Key projects or results, ideally with metrics)
- Bullet point 3 (Improvements, innovations, or leadership examples)
Job Title – Previous Company Name | Location
Start Date (Month/Year) – End Date (Month/Year)
- Bullet point 1 (Responsibilities and achievements)
- Bullet point 2 (Specific accomplishments or impact)
- Bullet point 3 (Any noteworthy contributions)
Continue this format for each relevant position. List work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent.
Education
Degree/Qualification – Institution Name | Location
Graduation Date (Month/Year)
- Relevant coursework, honors, or GPA (if applicable)
Optional: Include any additional academic details that demonstrate your skills or qualifications.
Skills
List your technical and soft skills here. Group them by category if possible.
- Technical Skills (e.g., programming languages, software tools, platforms)
- Soft Skills (e.g., leadership, communication, teamwork)
Certifications (Optional)
Certification Name – Issuing Organization | Date Obtained
- Certification 1
- Certification 2
Languages (Optional)
- Language 1 (Proficiency level: e.g., fluent, intermediate)
- Language 2
Projects (Optional)
Include any major projects that showcase relevant skills or achievements.
Project Title – Role or Involvement
Month/Year – Month/Year
- Description of the project, key responsibilities, and outcomes/results
Additional Sections (Optional)
You can include other sections if relevant, such as:
- Publications
- Conferences & Workshops
- Awards & Honors
- Volunteer Experience