Are you applying for a job? If so, you will need a CV. We know that writing your CV can seem overwhelming, so in this post, we have identified helpful tips to make your CV work for you!
So what is a CV? A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is your first introduction to a job. It should present your work history, education, and achievements in a clear, easy-to-read manner. Tweak your CV for each position you are applying for, highlighting information that demonstrates why you will be an ideal fit for that role.
Ensure that your CV is easy to read and is no longer than two pages. Select a simple font such as Times New Roman, Calibri, or Arial, and use a clear structure with headings to introduce each section. When listing information, utilize bullet points. Bullet points help the person reviewing your application to quickly scan for important information.
Top of your CV
The top of your CV should start with your name. Make sure this stands out from the rest of the document by using a larger or bolded font. Follow this with your current contact information so that the person reviewing your CV can easily reach out to you. Contact information should include your address, phone number, and email address. Ensure that the email address you use on your CV is simple and professional.
Objective Statement/ Professional Summary
This section is optional but can be a great way to introduce yourself and highlight why you are an ideal fit for a role. This is the first thing someone reads after your contact information at the top.
This section should describe your field of experience and your current role. It can also describe your future goals. But keep this section brief—approximately three sentences long.
Employment History
This is the most important section of your CV. List your education and work experience in reverse chronological order. This way, the person reading your application will be able to see the most recent relevant information first.
Not only should this section list your job history, but each entry should also describe what you did for each role. Keep this brief, but make sure to include measurable contributions to your work. Focus on the purpose of the tasks you completed. If there is numerical data, such as the number of employees you oversaw or the percentage by which you increased sales, include this.
Also, if there are gaps in your work history and there is a good explanation to justify them, include it. You can also add volunteer history here or in its own section following a similar format.
Education
Include university degrees and relevant additional certifications and courses. Like your work history, list these in reverse chronological order.
Other Sections
One great thing about CVs is their flexibility. You can add sections such as skills and qualifications, volunteer history, hobbies and interests, professional memberships, awards, and honors. Additional sections can help personify you and provide supplementary information on why you may be a good fit for a role, especially if your work history is light.
The most common of these is a skills section. A skills section could include information such as additional languages you speak or digital skills, such as Microsoft or Adobe.
Lastly, ensure your CV is error-free. Errors in your CV can hint at a lack of attention to detail. It helps to have someone else look for mistakes you may have overseen. No matter how good you are at spelling, grammar, and punctuation, it is easy to miss errors in your own writing because you are so close to the content, know what is supposed to be written, and might thereby miss what is really there. Similarly, software spell checkers are not infallible. Therefore, before finalizing your CV, have someone else take a look.
And if you want a professional to help, consider Visa Business Plans. We have helped thousands of professionals navigate an ever-changing array of challenges, including drafting killer CVs. Call us today to discover how we can help you reach your business goals!
Visa Business Plans is led by Marco Scanu, a certified coach from the University of Miami with a globally-based practice coaching Fortune 1000 company executives, entrepreneurs, as well as professionals in four different continents. Mr. Scanu advises clients on turnaround strategies and crisis management.
Mr. Scanu received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (Cum Laude) from the University of Florida and an MBA in Management from Bocconi University in Milan, Italy. Mr. Scanu was also a Visiting Scholar at Michigan State University under the prestigious H. Humphrey Fellowship (Fulbright program) with a focus on Entrepreneurship, Venture Capital, and high-growth enterprises.
At present, Mr. Scanu is the managing partner and CEO at Visa Business Plans, a Miami-based boutique consulting firm providing attorneys and investors with business planning services in the areas of U.S. and Canadian immigration, SBA loans, and others.
