CV Writing Tips

Your CV is the primary tool used to sell your skills and proficiencies to potential employers. But several candidates still fall short when it comes to writing and structuring their CV. A good CV is a job magnet, written with the aim of attracting and sustaining the interest of the employer. Your CV is one of the most crucial document you will ever create as a candidate because it has the capacity to shape and determine your career journey.

When writing a CV, you need to think like the employer. What do you think they are looking out for in a prospective employee? Let’s analyze each item in a typical Curriculum Vitae,

Career Objectives

Recruiters are always intrigued when they come across a candidate who has a defined career vision. Employers seek to know your career aspirations as a candidate. What are your long-term goals professionally. You career objective should draw their attention to your dream career height. Your career objectives should highlight how you will engage your proficiencies in executing your job responsibilities while focusing on achieving your career goal.

Work Experience

This section gives you the opportunity of exhibiting your abilities to the recruiter. Hence it is important to start with the most current work experience you have. Start by highlighting responsibilities and accomplishments that are of primary relevance to the job positions you are currently applying for so the recruiter can look at what you are professionally capable of. List the name of the company, the duration of your time with them, your core responsibilities and achievements made.

Skills

It is essential you present your skills using bullet points, starting with the strongest and current skills applicable to the job requirements. The effects of presenting your skills in a bullet point format is that each description is the first thing the recruiter sees and easily attracts his or her attention as they go through your CV.

Educational Qualification

List your educational qualifications in reverse chronological order. Begin with your most recent educational or professional certification. Include the name of institution, duration of program and certificate obtained.

Personal Profile

This section is meant to give the recruiter a deeper insight about your person. It must be authentic, and should contain your date of birth, state of origin, religion, nationality etc.

Hobbies/Interest

List your interest and hobbies, particularly those that are going to be of value to the organization e.g. Volunteering, reading, research etc.

When writing your CV, it is  important to always tailor it to suit the particular employer you are applying to in order to increase your chances of getting called for an interview.