A curriculum vitae (CV) is very important in a successful job search, for both new graduates and experienced professionals. A CV is a visual document that hiring managers usually see at a glance. A neat structure and organized content can make your CV stand out from other candidates' CVs. Every time you apply for a job, create a new CV highlighting the skills, education and experience that make you a strong candidate.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Creating a CV. Structure
Step 1. Choose a template or create your own design
Most word processing programs provide several CV templates to choose from. If nothing catches your eye, you can use your own design.
- There are also templates available for download, and many are free. If you don't want to use one of the basic templates in a word processing program, you can search the internet for others.
- The elements in the template can also be changed as needed. Think of a template as a guide that can be changed or deleted if necessary.
- Use a standard, easy-to-read font with a size of 10 or 12. Meanwhile, make the headings per section larger. Popular serif fonts are Times New Roman and Georgian. If you want to use a san-serif font, try Calibri or Helvetica.
Tip:
If you are applying for styling and web design or graphic design jobs, come up with a unique design and use your CV as a medium to showcase your skills.
Step 2. Create a title with your name and contact information
At the top of the page, type your name, address, phone number, and email address. Please try the format until you find the one you like the most.
- For example, you could collect all the information in the middle. You can also place the address on the left side, while the phone number and email address on the right, with the name in the middle in a slightly larger size.
- If you don't have a professional email address, create one at a free email service like Gmail. Ideally, the email address used in the CV is a variation of initials and names. Never include an email address with a silly or suggestive name in your CV.
Step 3. Use a chronological CV for conservative occupations
In a chronological CV, work experience and education are positioned in chronological order. This is a classic CV format that older hiring managers will appreciate, or those in conservative fields like accounting or law.
There's not a lot of flexibility in processing a chronological CV, but you can still organize the sections so that the strongest personal information is at the top. For example, if your education is more than work experience, please put education first
Step 4. Try a functional CV if you don't have hands-on work experience
In a functional CV, you can highlight specific skills and assets without having to list all of your previous jobs. This is very advantageous if you have little work experience.
A functional CV is also a good choice if you have a lot of experience and want to limit your CV to one page. You can focus on the skills you have, rather than listing each job in detail
Step 5. Combine a chronological and functional CV to highlight skills
A functional CV can still be used if you are looking for work in a conservative field. Start with a section about skills, then enter a chronological section below that.
Since this type of CV can sometimes be long, consider only listing the last two or three occupations and highest education. If you've been in your last 10 years, feel free to enter that one. In the functional section of your CV, you can include information on how long you have worked in the industry
Part 2 of 3: Making Content Stand Out
Step 1. Start with skills for a functional CV
A functional CV emphasizes what you can do, not what you already do. List 4 to 5 skill categories that you gained from experience or education. Then, add a brief description of each skill and provide examples of how to use those skills in bullet points.
- For example, in a CV for an online writing job, you might enter "editing" as a skill. In the bullet point, enter the number of edited articles on wikiHow and the awards you received for the work. Even if it's just volunteer work, it's still an editor's experience.
- You can also include skills that are personal. For example, enter your abilities as a "team leader." Then, add details about work in a student organization, fundraising for a nonprofit, or working as a camp counselor.
Step 2. List work experience, including relevant volunteer work
For a chronological CV, add specific jobs and other work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with the last job. Use descriptive and specific titles that describe what you've done.
- In general, you should include the month and year the job started and ended in a chronological CV. If you have worked for several years, one year is enough.
- In a functional CV, you have the flexibility to include work experience. You do not need to enter years of service although you must indicate the length of time you worked there. For example, "Managed 20 salespeople for 10 years."
- Use active verbs to describe responsibility and accomplishment. Specific numbers and metrics show what you've accomplished. For example, if you're a sales manager, enter words like, "Implemented changes that increased sales by 27% in 1 quarter."
Step 3. Enter the relevant education or specification
Generally, only the highest education needs to be included in the CV. However, you can enter a lower education if it is relevant to the job for which you are applying. Also, list any licenses or certifications you have.
- For example, if you've just graduated from law school and are applying for a job as a lawyer, include your law degree on your CV as well as your license to practice.
- For a functional CV, the education section may be placed at the bottom of the page. There are also people who do not include education at all in a functional CV. However, include it if the job vacancy requires a specific degree.
- If your IP is 3, 5 or more, please include it in the education information. If it's less than that, it doesn't need to be listed. If you include more than one degree, enter the IP of both if possible. If only one deserves to be included, it's best not to include it at all.
Tip:
If you have a top degree in a particular field that is essential for employment, include it in the title with your name, no need to create a separate education section. This can save space.
Step 4. Emphasize the skills that make you more valuable
Even in a chronological CV you need to include a skills section if you want to show the hiring manager that you have job-relevant skills. Focus on skills that can be objectively assessed, such as computer, technical, or language proficiency.
- Sometimes there is an urge to overestimate skill levels in order to appear impressive. However, this can be problematic. For example, if you only know a few words and phrases in Spanish, don't state that your skills are conversational or even fluent. If the hiring manager also speaks Spanish, your chances are lost.
- If a specific skill is listed in the vacancy and you happen to have one, include it in the skills section and list it with the details.
Tip:
If you don't have much experience, you can include skills that are personal in nature, such as "persistent" or "self-motivated." However, this must be supported by concrete examples that demonstrate these skills.
Step 5. Place keywords strategically
There are employers who use filter programs to scan CVs for specific keywords. Keywords indicate what they are looking for in a potential candidate. The program saves hiring managers time in checking incoming CVs. In order to pass the filter, you must enter the keywords mentioned in the job.
Make sure the keywords fit into the text, and don't use them too often. There is no need to repeat the same words or phrases over and over again
Step 6. Add hobbies and interests related to work
A section for hobbies and interests is usually considered optional, but is helpful if your content is scanty. However, include only relevant hobbies or interests.
For example, if you're applying for a sporting goods store manager, the fact that you enjoy playing sports is definitely relevant for the position
Part 3 of 3: Completing the Curriculum Vitae
Step 1. Create a custom CV for each job applied for
Prepare a master CV that lists all skills, education and experience. However, the CV provided when applying for a job does not need to contain everything. Only skills and experience directly related to the job need to be included. Try to make a CV that matches the job vacancy.
- Move section by section if necessary so that the most important qualifications required are at the top of the page. Rearrange bullet points so that the most relevant information is mentioned first.
- Even if you are proud of certain accomplishments, remove them from your CV if they are not work-related.
Tip:
If you are applying for a job that differs from your previous career path, please add brief information about your interest in this new field or why you are applying for the position.
Step 2. Edit CV to remove redundant words and create new spaces
Active and effective text is very important because CVs are likely to be seen at a glance. Remove personal pronouns, article words, adjectives, and adverbs. In the final statement there should be only the action and the result of that action.
- For example, you once worked as a barista in a cafe. Please enter information that you maintain high sanitation standards. However, this statement must be measurable. So you might write, "Implemented new sanitation program; increased cafe scores and health by 11%."
- Make up your own words instead of repeating job descriptions. For example, if you worked as a retail salesperson, write "Overall 4 months of personal sales goals" instead of "Selling clothing and accessories to customers."
Step 3. Check and reread before CV is sent
Don't rely solely on computer grammar and spell-checking programs. Read the entire CV several times to make sure there are no mistakes at all. Reading aloud also helps you spot mistakes or irregularities in wording.
- If you are making a CV in English, be careful with apostrophes and contractions. If you have difficulty, read the word that has been written with the full word spelling, not with an apostrophe, and assess whether it makes sense. For example, you could easily find an error in the sentence "Trained sales staff and reported they're progress" if it reads as "Trained sales staff and reported they are progress".
- Make sure the formatting and punctuation are consistent. For example, if you use bullet points in one section, use them in all sections.
- Free online apps, such as Grammarly, can help spot English errors that you may not have noticed.
Tip:
Start reading from the last word, and read each word individually, not in sequence, all the way to the beginning of the document. This will remove the narrative structure that makes mistakes more visible.
Step 4. Save CV in PDF file
If the CV is sent over the internet, recruiters usually expect a PDF format. Use this file format unless the job specifically requires a different format.
The advantage of PDF documents is that the format cannot be changed. In addition, you also avoid accidentally adding errors if the hiring manager makes a mistake when opening your CV or printing it
Step 5. Print out your CV to take to the interview
Use a good printer with quality white or ivory paper. "CV paper" can be purchased online, or try looking at an office supply store. If you include a link in a digital CV, remove the link before printing so that all text is black.
Bring at least 3 copies of your CV to the interview. If you know you will be interviewed by a recruiting team, bring enough copies for each team member to receive one. Also make sure that you are also holding a copy
Tips
- Using years instead of months and years can hide gaps in your CV. However, remember that you have to be honest when the interviewer asks.
- You can include the references section under your CV. However, if there is no more free space, there is no need to include it. If the hiring manager wants a reference, they will ask for it.
- Include a cover letter even if it is not asked for. A cover letter can give context to a CV and provide more personal information as a candidate.
