1. FORMAT:
It is so important have a CV that is easily readable and easy to follow. Gone are the days where you simply put a bunch of words on Microsoft Word and submit that as your CV. Effort goes a long way. You can get some nice modern formats here : http://canva.com
Don’t have a CV that’s too long.1-2 pages will do just fine however this is dependent on the amount of experience you have. Space out all the information so that your CV is not clustered. Having a colorful CV and a picture doesn’t make your CV. Good, it’s the content that does
2. BIO:
Have a strong personal statement/ summary that tells the recruiter a bit about yourself and also positions you as something. So many people fall into the trap of listing skills in their bio the forget to tell the recruiters a little bit about themselves.
3. PERSONAL DETAILS:
There are so many scammers out there. Be careful of listing personal details like your exact address or ID number. Just put the main city as your location for eg. Johannesburg. Have your name, location and contact details. Do not over share.
4. SKILLS:
When listing skills in your CV,make sure you have 3 types of skills listed.Have a balance between your transferable/functional skills,(eg. analytical skills) personal traits/attributes (eg. patience) and knowledge based skills ( eg: accounting.)
5. WORK EXPERIENCE:
When listing your work experience keep your job descriptions brief ,straight to the point highlighting what your role was. Make sure you have your job title and the years you worked at a specific job. Always use action verbs when listing your work experience.
6. EDUCATION:
Don’t list all the subjects you did in school and all the modules you studied in varsity.Just list the institutions you went to, qualification you got and summarize what the qualification equips you with. You can get this from the prospectus if you are struggling.
7. THE NITTY GRITTIES:
Proofreading is so important. Make sure you pay attention to detail. Check your spelling, grammar and punctuation. Ensure everything is consistent including your Fonts. Also make sure that your CV isn’t too clustered and is easy on the eye.
8. THINGS TO AVOID:
-Using generic cliches like “passionate, self motivated, dedicated.” – Not tailoring your CV for each job application. Your CV is not a one size fits all. -Not using keywords related to the vacancy. – Excessive word repetition – Having a super long CV
10. Always tell the truth.
Do not lie in your CV to get the job because your lies will catch up with you. However do not sell yourself short. Don’t be afraid to show that you are the right person for the job.
Lastly, your CV is like a sales document. It sells who you are and what you can do. It’s a valuable asset for opening doors of possibility. So put in the effort, it really goes a long way and remember that the first impression lasts. So present yourself correctly.
All the best with your job applications.