How To Structure A Job-Winning CV
They say the first impression lasts, the first thing that employers look at is the CV. Your CV should be neatly structured and well appealing. Below are some tips on how to structure a heart-winning CV.
Before you start to write your CV, you should find out exactly what your target employers are looking for and want to see on an applicant’s CV.
The goal is to make it as easy as possible for the HR/hiring manager to see you as a fit for their business. Bear in mind that they will only take around a few seconds to decide if your CV is worth a look. So show them at a glance that you perfectly fit the position you have applied for.
Research info about the company but also about the role in order to adapt your CV and ensure your application is relevant.
TOP
Have personal information including Full Name(s), Cell No, Address (city and province), Email, LinkedIn URL and 3 preferred jobs separated by a |
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Your professional summary should tell us who you are in terms of skills, attributes, experience and major accomplishments but do not exceed 6 sentences.
CORE COMPETENCIES & SKILLS
You can write these in bullet points unlike start describing each core competence and skill or writing how you acquired it because it’s a waste of space on your CV.
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS/HIGHLIGHTS
Write bullet points of your major quantifiable achievements which normally are aligned to the job description if you have so many.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- It should be written in reverse chronological order starting with the most recent job to the last. If you were doing the same deliverables in 2/3 different roles, combine them to save space
- When writing responsibilities/deliverables please use action verbs like monitored, led, pioneered, and administered. Also, you need to show the scope, scale/quantities and tools/systems used.
- Past roles are supposed to be written in past tense and present roles are written in the present tense.
EDUCATION
Your qualifications should be written in reverse chronological order starting from the latest. Conventionally this subheading is written after the experience but if you’re an academic, a recent graduate or have qualifications which you deem as a highlight you can put this section below Core Competences & Skills.
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
You can write other training and development courses accumulated during a particular role like 3-day training in leadership or sales.