The trends for writing a good CV change all the time. Should you write a CV with all your work history? Do you bullet point this or that? Just what sort of information should you put in a CV.Plenty of websites will tell you what the current trends for writing a CV are. But you want your CV to look good and leave a fine impression with potential employers, so here are five tips to help you write a better CV than everyone else.
Keep it short
When a job opening comes up, potential employers are flooded with applications. Many CVs don't even get read and are tossed without a thought. CVs that are too long to read are amongst the first to be passed up, so keep your CV short and concise.
Structure it properly and make sure your CV is easy and fast to read. Choose to put things that are memorable on your resume, such as accomplishments or experience that makes you stand out. Be wise with your words and use text that's catchy but stay with relevant terms appropriate for the position you're applying for.
Work Backwards
The first thing that should be on the list of your work experience and job history is the most recent position you held. Potential employers don't care what you did twenty years ago – they want fresh blood and new energy in their company. Pertinent and recent is what they'll watch for, to determine if you're suitable for the job.
Tell the Truth
We all want to present ourselves in the best light and impress potential employers. Lying or glossing over black spots on your CV isn't the way to go about doing so. If you try to cover up areas in your work history, most likely they'll be discovered later on down the line, costing you a potential job.
Look at the positive sides of less-than-desirable work history. If you were unemployed for a period, what did you do in that time? What did you learn? What did you occupy your time with? Put a spin on things and present your history in its best light.
Just The Facts
A CV isn't the place to wax poetic or to gush on about an achievement. A CV is basically a list of facts about why you're qualified for an open position in a business or company. You want to be creative about the power words you choose to describe yourself, not about the type of fiction you can come up with to boost your appeal.
A Cover Letter?
Yes! Include a cover letter with your CV. A cover letter tells your employer your motivation for the job and presents the rationale behind your application. A cover letter is the first thing your potential employer will see, and it introduces you more formally to the business you'd like to work for. Consider it your first "meeting" and have your cover letter include a strong statement of your accomplishments towards the end.
Five simple steps. Yet are they? for if it were that easy, would most applicants not make sure they were all followed. You'd think so, wouldn't you? So often this is not the case. And now you can!
