So, you’ve found your dream job and know you are the perfect fit, the only problem is, your CV is not up to date, it lacks enough information and needs a new layout. Getting your CV up to scratch is important as on average you could be competing against 250 applicants per job! You need to stand out and prove you are perfect for the role, especially because most employers spend just a few seconds scanning each CV before making their final decision.
Not to worry though, here is everything you need to know about how to write a CV for a job application.
What should my CV include?
A successful CV mostly if not always follows the layout of:
A CV header with contact information
A personal profile
Work experience
Education and qualifications
Additional sections such as volunteer work, additional training and conferences attended.
Why should I write a personal profile and what should I include?
Jumping straight into your experience will not only make you less memorable but misses out the important introduction your CV needs!
If you are struggling thinking of what you can include in this section, we recommend you to either explain the skills you have previously mastered or compile a summary of the relevant career progress and achievements that your CV includes. Always make sure you amend this section of your CV to make it relevant to the role you are applying for. What makes you the perfect candidate for the role?
An extra tip: include power adjectives throughout each statement to describe yourself and your knowledge e.g. dependable, reliable, professional and co-operative.
When writing work experience…
Time for the most important section. Ensure you include your key responsibilities, successes, strengths and transferable skills that could be used within the role you are applying for.
To make sure your CV is perceived as relevant, tailor your CV to the job you are applying for. Read through the job description carefully and understand what tasks will be expected of you. Employers will notice this and appreciate your extra effort.
An extra tip: include action verbs such as “created”, “analysed” and “implemented”.
Where do I add my achievements?
To ensure your achievements are noticed, or if you are aiming to highlight a key achievement that you are proud of, you can create a key achievement(s) section.
Place this section near your work experience for optimum recognition.
The education section…
Keep this section simple. When adding qualifications, always state the title and level of the qualification, the year you graduated and the institutions name in which you studied.
An extra tip: include extracurricular academic activities you took part in.
What could I include in the additional section?
These sections can vary dependent on the industry or role you are applying for. Here is a list of extras we feel may have relevance:
• Professional certifications
• Conferences attended
• Additional training
• Volunteer experience
• A personal blog
Need some more advice on how to write a CV for a job application? Check out CV Builder for quick and easy free templates.
Need more tips to getting that perfect job? Read our Survival Guide series here.
Looking for your dream job? Visit our job search page for an abundance of vacancies.