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With the right CV, you are more likely to get an interview. CVs have a basic format, but each one reflects the individuality and particular experience of the applicant. Craft the best CV possible, and you will give yourself optimal opportunities to land an interview.
What is a CV?
A curriculum vitae, or CV for short, is a comprehensive and detailed account of your work experience and academic credentials. By recounting your accomplishments and career experiences, you are marketing yourself to potential employers.
The CV is more lengthy and involved than a resume or cover letter when it comes to your schooling and work records; the standard length is no more than two pages. This format allows employers to measure your abilities based upon your academic and professional histories.
There are particular spacing and formatting rules for CVs. Follow this advice to draft the best version of your CV the first time:
- Use bold headings in a larger font
- Choose legible font styles such as Arial or Calibri
- Font size should fall between 10 and 12-point
- Margins should be no more than 2.5cm and no less than 1.27cm
Ideally, your CV should show why you are the best candidate for the job. A CV is a necessary part of a job application and may accompany a cover letter and completed application form.
What should you include in your CV?
While the content of a CV is reflective of your academic and work experiences, some elements are a must for this document. Make sure you include these sections in your CV:
Full name, professional title, and current contact information
The first part of your CV should contain this essential information so the prospective employer knows your name and position, as well as how to contact you for an interview. Feature this content at the top of your CV; don’t waste time and space by titling your CV as “Curriculum vitae” or “CV.”
It is no longer necessary to include your full address on a CV; simply your town and country will do. Additionally, you will want to include a current phone number and a professional email address. This location is also ideal for links to a professional social media profile, such as Linkedin, but make sure the profile is updated. No formal introduction or personal statement is needed as these components appear in the cover letter.
Personal profile
Your personal profile should consist of a brief paragraph directly underneath your name and contact information. This profile gives an employer an overview of who you are, what career goals you have, and what capabilities you can bring to their company. Personal profiles are short, no more than a few sentences in length. Look at these personal profile examples to see how it’s done.
Employment history and experience
This section of your CV includes an outline of your employment history, including expertise and internships. List your jobs and experience in reverse chronological order with your most recent role listed first.
With each job, record your position title, employer name, and the dates of your employment. Add a sentence that summarises the essence of those positions. List or bullet point core achievements, skills, and responsibilities associated with each role. Use action verbs to highlight your abilities and accomplishments in these jobs. Include only the duties most relevant to those positions, and avoid listing any jobs that are from over ten years ago.
Academic qualifications
Your education should also be listed, beginning with your most recent or current degree or qualification. Share the names of the institutions, the dates you attended, as well as the grades and qualifications you earned.
Don’t shortchange yourself on your qualifications. The International Career Institute notes that “The more qualifications you have, the greater bargaining power you have.” Include the topics you studied but also the skills you developed via your studies, such as collaboration, work ethic, and time management.
For recent graduates, state your degree, GCSEs, A-levels, or equivalents. Write out the institution’s name and attendance dates, then indicate your qualification or primary subject grade.
Additional information
Your CV should reflect your education and experience. As such, you may wish to include additional categories of information. A separate area for “Key Skills” can allow you to highlight and emphasize the talents and abilities you have that may be most attractive to the employer. Detail no more than four or five skills.
If you need more information in your CV, consider adding an “Interests and Hobbies” section, provided the content applies in some way to the industry or company in question. For example, if you are applying for a position as a pharmacy assistant, you may wish to include your avid interest in advancements in medicine.
What should you avoid putting in your CV?
Even though a CV is more detailed than a resume, you don’t want it to contain errors that could cost you a chance at your dream job. Here are some things to avoid having in your CV:
- Outdated information
- Age and birthdate
- Marital status
- Headshots
- Grammatical errors
- Incorrect contact details
- Fake references
- Cliches
While you want to tailor your CV to the position you are applying for, you don’t want to include unnecessary, inaccurate, false or careless information that can reflect negatively upon your professionalism. Proofread and check the accuracy of both your information and the potential employer’s information before you send your CV and application.
Put your best CV forward and land that interview.
A CV requires some meticulous composition and regular updates before it’s ready to represent you on the job market. Take your time and put the best version of your CV together, and you will be fielding phone calls for interviews in no time at all.
And, yes -I agree with a "mother CV" as well. As you apply for a job, customize the layout of your CV, and prioritize information that are relevant to the job.