With the job market set to become increasingly competitive, having a stellar CV has never been more important.
Your CV is the first impression a hiring manager or recruiter will have of you, and often they will take less than 10 seconds to decide whether it’s worth looking at in depth.
In this article, we’ll explore the essential elements of a winning CV, and how you can make sure yours stands out from the crowd.
1. Start with name, location, and contact details
It may seem obvious, but it’s essential to include your name, location, and contact details at the top of your CV. If you’re looking for remote work only, state this here to ensure it’s clear from the outset. Make sure your contact details are up-to-date, even if it means creating a new email address specifically for job searches. Failure to provide clear contact information could mean missing out on amazing job opportunities!
It’s also important to avoid including a photo or your date of birth, as this information can open you up to discrimination.
2. Summarising paragraph
Your summarising paragraph should be a concise and engaging overview of your core skills, what you’re looking for in a role, and any other key information that makes you stand out. This is the first thing people will read, so it’s important to get it right. Make sure it’s tailored to the specific role you’re applying for and highlights your unique strengths.
3. Core skills
In many industries, such as IT, specific skills and technologies are highly sought-after. Including a list of your core skills, courses, and technologies you’ve worked with is essential to ensure you don’t get overlooked. Make sure this list is up-to-date and focuses on the role you’re applying for.
4. Work history
List your work history in reverse chronological order, with your most recent job at the top. Failure to do so could result in being discounted for roles, even if you have the right experience. Be sure to include the name of the company, your job title, the dates you worked there, and a brief overview of your responsibilities and achievements.
If you have a longer work history, only include the overview for the most recent and key roles. For any older jobs, just list the company name, job title, and dates worked.
5. Education
Your education section should include your highest level of qualification first. If you’re a graduate or starting out your career, you can put this section towards the top of your CV, underneath your summarising paragraph. Make sure to include the name of the institution, the course you studied, and the dates you attended.
6. Hobbies/interests
Including a section on your hobbies and interests is a great way to show an insight into who you are as a person. Despite what you might think, this information is often read and brought up in interviews! So, make sure you’re honest about your interests as they can be a great conversation starter.
A well-crafted CV can be the difference between landing your dream job and being overlooked in the application process. Following these steps for creating your CV will give you a better chance of success in your job search.
Remember, always proofread your CV before sending it out. Ideally, get someone else to review it, as a fresh pair of eyes often pick up on mistakes that you might have missed.
With a solid CV in hand, you can approach your job search with confidence and increase your chances of securing the job you want.
If you’re on the lookout for a new opportunity then head over to the Mexa Solutions website to see our latest jobs.
