When you are entering the job market, the first step you need to take is to write a CV. When dealing with this issue, you might be confused and have no clue what a CV is. Well, it is understandable because everyone starts like this without any relevant experience and a clear plan on how to create one.
The Definition of a CV
A curriculum vitae (shortly CV) is an official document you send to the hiring manager when applying for the job. Basically, it is a summary of your professional and academic history. This document should be at least 2-3 pages long. But for senior job applicants who already have work experience and want to outline career accomplishments, it can run much longer.
There you need to highlight this particular information about yourself:
- Contact information (name, surname, telephone number, and email)
- Work experience, including positions and companies you have already worked for in reverse-chronological order
- Relevant qualifications and key skills you have gained
- Information about the university you have graduated from and a degree you have obtained
- Professional associations, along with the fellowships and grants
- Specific achievements, certificates, and licenses you have earned
- Projects and publications you have worked on
- Hobbies and interests (these two are optional)
In case you still feel confused and are like, “I wish I had someone to help me write my cv,” there are plenty of services you can turn to. But if you are confident in yourself and will craft it on your own, here are some additional tips on what things are better to avoid when writing a CV:
- Making the wording hard to read
- Listing unnecessary and inappropriate information
- Exaggerating your qualifications and skills
- Spelling errors or bad grammar
- Using informal language
- Stating wrong contact information
Why Proofreading and Editing are Needed?
After you have created a winning resume, you might think that the job is done, and you can finally apply for the position of your dream. Yet the final step will be proofreading and editing the final version if it is needed. If you send your CV to a hiring manager and they notice some mistakes, no one will take you seriously. Thus you will be rejected.
Naturally, some human factors can arise and influence people and their performance. Sometimes, when we have a flow of great ideas together with the fires of imagination, we can overlook some mistakes. To not get off track and not make mistakes, it is essential to proofread the document at least twice. Now when the job is really done, we would like to explain to you what this document is really needed for.
Catch the Employer’s Attention
It takes recruiters and hiring managers around 5 seconds to look through your CV and evaluate it. Within this short period of time, your future career is being decided. Thus, you need to draw their attention to your document and highlight personal information as best as possible.
Such aspects as your experience, key skills, and relevant qualifications should be stated at the top of the page. Meanwhile, you need to find the right approach to persuade the hiring manager and recruiter that you are an excellent candidate for the position. Besides, you can use some buzzwords and add bright colors and visual elements to catch their attention.
Position Yourself as the Right Person for the Job
Due to global digitalization, we have been provided with plenty of workplaces – and there is always a place for competition between candidates. Everyone wants to succeed and have the job of their dreams. But to get one, you need to stand out from others.
Since employers receive countless resumes, you need to position yourself as the only right and perfect candidate. In this case, your CV will be your weapon. It’s always a good idea to surf the internet and check information about the company you want to work for and its requirements for the job offer.
You need to study the position very carefully and figure out what exact attributes you need to have, and list them in your curriculum vitae. Then the only thing you need to do is enroll in some courses and gain the qualities required for the job offer, or if you have one, just highlight it in the document. If they notice your CV and consider you a perfect candidate, you can finally land an interview.
Land an Interview
Most people believe that they will quickly get a job only on the basis of a well-crafted resume. Yet, it is just short of a miracle. No one will hire you solely on what you have written in your CV. Yes, this document is the most important thing that gets you the interview, but it should also beat the applicant tracking system and impress the employer.
A CV is your essential step in the recruiting process as it helps you get a job. If it is not well-written, there are fewer chances to get any further. But if you do your best and put all your soul and effort into a CV, the potential employer will offer you an interview also you can ask for editing here at topresume.
Summing Up
As you can see, a CV plays a vital role in your life when it comes to applying for a job. If you want everything to run smoothly, you need to have a closer look at each aspect of writing a CV. Using the information above, you will have all the chances to impress your employer and get your dream job.