How To Write A Successful CV
If your motto for the New Year is to get a new career, then one of the first things you need to do is get your CV together. You might think that a CV is 'just a piece of paper', but that piece of paper holds the key to your future. A Curriculum Vitae contains your life history with regards to education and work experience and is one of the most important documents you will ever own. This is why it is important to take time to get it right.
Don't be drawn into putting your life story down on paper. Recruiters haven't the time to read a novel, no matter how interesting it may be! It's imperative to make your CV as pertinent and punchy as possible. It needs to be professional in both content and design and should be tailored to the type of job/position you are applying for.
The format of your CV will depend upon your current status. If you are a graduate who is applying for a first job, then your CV will be driven at marketing yourself as an individual who is looking for entry level jobs. Standard CV's are for professionals who are looking for non-management positions, whereas a Management and Executive curriculum vitae is tailored towards promoting your skills relevant in that particular sector. The trickiest CV of them all however is for the individual who is looking for a complete career change. This requires a completely different approach and perspective as you have to focus on your characteristic and transferrable skills.
You need to make your reason for wanting a career change clear to the recruiter, stressing your determination to succeed whilst highlighting your skills which can be transferred to the new role. There are many CV templates available online that can help you with all of this. Or you could choose to simply design your own. Simply follow these basic guidelines and remember to try to keep your CV to two pages.
All your contact details should be at the top and in a slightly smaller font than the rest of the text. Start your CV with a brief personal Profile of yourself (between 50-70 words). This is a short statement about you and your skills and includes details about your personality, relevant work experience and achievements.
This is your introduction to your prospective employer and is your chance to put your point across as to why you are the right person for the job!
Work Experience (generally from just the last 10 years, if applicable) is next and should start in reverse order. You should include a brief description about the company and include achievements and experiences gained in these previous positions (provide facts and figures if possible).
Where you place your details about your Education depends upon the format of your CV. If you're a recent graduate then it will be first after your profile. Again list your qualifications with the most recent first. Interests/hobbies should be at the end, keep it short and simple!
Don't forget your covering letter. This will basically be a longer version of your Profile. Include the position you are applying for and why and state how your skills and experience relate to those required for the job (as advertised). Like you CV, keep it concise, positive and relevant to the position you are applying for and always remember to double check your grammar.
The career world is your oyster, and a professional and well thought out Curriculum Vitae can be your entry! Next step of course is the interview!
Don't be drawn into putting your life story down on paper. Recruiters haven't the time to read a novel, no matter how interesting it may be! It's imperative to make your CV as pertinent and punchy as possible. It needs to be professional in both content and design and should be tailored to the type of job/position you are applying for.
The format of your CV will depend upon your current status. If you are a graduate who is applying for a first job, then your CV will be driven at marketing yourself as an individual who is looking for entry level jobs. Standard CV's are for professionals who are looking for non-management positions, whereas a Management and Executive curriculum vitae is tailored towards promoting your skills relevant in that particular sector. The trickiest CV of them all however is for the individual who is looking for a complete career change. This requires a completely different approach and perspective as you have to focus on your characteristic and transferrable skills.
You need to make your reason for wanting a career change clear to the recruiter, stressing your determination to succeed whilst highlighting your skills which can be transferred to the new role. There are many CV templates available online that can help you with all of this. Or you could choose to simply design your own. Simply follow these basic guidelines and remember to try to keep your CV to two pages.
All your contact details should be at the top and in a slightly smaller font than the rest of the text. Start your CV with a brief personal Profile of yourself (between 50-70 words). This is a short statement about you and your skills and includes details about your personality, relevant work experience and achievements.
This is your introduction to your prospective employer and is your chance to put your point across as to why you are the right person for the job!
Work Experience (generally from just the last 10 years, if applicable) is next and should start in reverse order. You should include a brief description about the company and include achievements and experiences gained in these previous positions (provide facts and figures if possible).
Where you place your details about your Education depends upon the format of your CV. If you're a recent graduate then it will be first after your profile. Again list your qualifications with the most recent first. Interests/hobbies should be at the end, keep it short and simple!
Don't forget your covering letter. This will basically be a longer version of your Profile. Include the position you are applying for and why and state how your skills and experience relate to those required for the job (as advertised). Like you CV, keep it concise, positive and relevant to the position you are applying for and always remember to double check your grammar.
The career world is your oyster, and a professional and well thought out Curriculum Vitae can be your entry! Next step of course is the interview!
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