5 Perfect Writing Steps Taking Your CV Into Next Level

CV writing is an integral and unavoidable part of the job-seeking experience. Without a well-written CV, it is near impossible to land an interview despite your exemplary record. It is the first impression you make in front of your prospective employers. Thus, it should arrest their attention immediately.

 A CV is all about marketing yourself and proving you are perfect for the job. But while creating one, you must figure out what makes you stand out from other candidates. If aiming for the same position, all applicants are likely to have almost similar skills and qualifications. Therefore, it is important to ingrain points that are unique to you, for standing out.

The challenges presented by this task are undeniable. But with our complete guide on how to make a CV, you can succeed at it. Before sharing the tips, here are some basics that you must be familiar with.

What is a CV?

A CV is a document that contains a summary of your qualifications, skills, achievements, and professional experiences. The full form of CV is curriculum vitae which is the Latin term for “course of life”. That is a rather fitting label for a document that can dictate the rest of your career.

A question that repeatedly comes our way from our clients is, “Does CV stand for resume?”. In different regions, this document is referred to with different names. But as a general rule, there are no discernible features that tell apart a resume and a CV. The document is simply called a CV in the UK and a resume in the US.

The only thing you must not confuse a CV with is the cover letter. This is also an important part of your job application, but this article will only focus on the CV. With the basics out of the way, we can now move on to the best techniques for a winning CV.

Choose the right format

Perfectly formatting your CV is highly necessary when you want to attract hiring managers. It is important to understand that they are receiving hundreds of applications that they must shortlist from. The average time a recruiter spends on each CV is six seconds. If you fail to impress them within this window, your CV is likely to land in the reject pile.

So, what is the trick behind this seemingly impossible task? The appearance and presentation of your CV are what wins this round. As we mentioned before, this document is your first impression as a professional. And a shoddy, unorganized CV will not do you any favors. To reach further stages of the recruitment process, you must pay attention to the formatting.

There are certain sections in a standard CV that you should not skip out. Begin with your personal information. Your contact details will serve as your CV Header. The personal profile will follow, comprising of a CV Summary or Objective. The next sections will be Work Experience, Education, Skills, and lastly, Additional Sections.

When you fill in these sections following certain rules is necessary. Pick a legible typeface that is easy to read and looks professional. This is a formal document so keep away from too stylized or obscure a font. Among the sans-serif fonts, you can use Helvetica, Tahoma, or Arial. For serif, Bookman Old Style and Times New Roman are most suitable. Your font size can be 11-12 with single spacing. For emboldening the section titles use a 14-16 font size.

Leave one-inch margins from all sides on your document. Although your headings should be bold but refrain from embellishments like italics and underlines. Make sure the layout you have picked remains consistent throughout your resume. Leave plenty of white space to increase the readability of your document. Dense blocks of text seem daunting so break them down into bullet points when applicable.

Once completed, it is best to save your CV as a PDF to ensure the layout remains intact. However, if the job description asks for a Word document, then adjust accordingly. Make sure to check and review the document one more time before sending it.

Research the company you are applying for

It is important to do some background research before applying to a company. Understanding what they stand for, their values, and their vision can help you mold your resume accordingly. You will know what strengths to put on a resume that will be attractive to that particular organization.

Moreover, the format and layout of your CV also reflect the type of business you are applying for. Something serious and formal, like a law firm, requires a CV that is clean and to the point.  While a creative company in the media or design industry will be open to some creative touches.

In a subtle way, you can display your knowledge about the company which will be appreciated by employers. Mention their ongoing or recent successful projects and why you are attracted to the organization. Relate relevant work experiences you have had in similar environments to show you can cope well with the responsibilities.

Tailor your CV each time

A generic CV can only get you so far. At CV Writing Service Dubai, we advise our clients to tailor their documents each time they apply for a position. It is a tried and tested technique by our writers that always receives the best outcomes. Hiring managers can immediately spot when a CV is designed with the least effort. Fulfilling exactly what they are seeking in a candidate should be your primary goal when writing a CV.

To understand the requirements of the company, thoroughly read the job description. Go through the skills they have listed and think about which of your experiences and assets match them. When writing your CV include the keywords used in the job description. Adapting the document to different industries and roles will make a strong impression and increase the chances of acceptance.

Highlight relevant professional achievements and experience

Your work experience section gets the most attention from recruiters. Merely listing your previous roles and responsibilities just build a basic CV. But we are going for an out-of-the-ordinary document that is guaranteed to get you hired. Employers are expecting the candidates to have held similar roles before. They are seeking those individuals who did them better than most.

Instead of enlisting your duties, focus on your achievements that are relevant and quantifiable. Include figures and measurable results that demonstrate the extent of your performance. Using verbs helps immensely in creating a sense of practicality as well. Words like “evaluated”, “designed”, and “executed” clearly convey your message. Displaying you are a troubleshooter, planner, and creative thinker can go a long way.  

Include additional sections in the CV

So, what sort of additional sections can you put on a CV? Modesty is a good trait, but a CV must promote all your assets to prove your worth. After all, getting the job of your dreams is like winning a competition. From a great number of applicants, only a select few can avail the opportunity. To be among them, use all your relevant achievements and successes as a tool.

To give you an idea, here are the additional sections you can include:

• Industry related awards
• Certificates
• Publications
• Attended conferences
• Trainings

If handled well, you can win over the hiring managers with this section. It will reflect how you are different from other candidates and perfect for the job. We also have suggestions for fresh graduates who are entering the industry for the first time. A student CV can contain the following in the Additional Section:

• Interests and hobbies
• Volunteering
• Freelancing
• Personal projects
• Blogging
• Academic achievements

Final Thoughts

The hiring process is not the same as it was a decade ago. Everything is more efficient and more demanding. To cope in this newfound business landscape that is driven by technology and innovation, job seekers require a new approach. CVs are not simple two-page documents anymore that display your professional background. They must have a flair to them, a merger of formal and personal features to make them distinct.

Competing in the industry can be nerve-wracking. But now that you have our guidelines to follow, the path can become more convenient. Be sure to focus on the given points when attempting to craft your CV. It is best to have complete knowledge of the requirements of the role you are applying to. The more information you have the easier it is to structure a resume around it. Be confident in your worth and honest about your achievements.  

For further help on CV writing, you can contact our professional service. Our proficient team excels in written content whether it is resumes or Ireland assignment help online. Fresh graduates to experienced professionals who are wishing for a change can benefit from our assistance. We guarantee you top-notch documents that are designed to meet the current industry trends. Insightful research on a constant basis helps us collect the data we need to upgrade our skills. Simply reach us with your requirements and we will handle the rest.