Not sure how to start or improve your CV? Writing a great curriculum vitae is absolutely vital to scoring a job.
The better the CV, the more likely it will get noticed by the employer and the candidate will be asked to interview. Companies only want the best of what they are given, so winging it is not an option. There are plenty of steps you can take to ensure that your CV stands out from the rest.
Little Work Experience?
Many students struggle with the experience part of their CV. However, even with little or no paid work experience, you can still impress an employer.
Mentioning any relevant non-work related experiences is a good start. Think about what you have done that is related to the role you are applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a role that requires you to cook food, mention any experience you have cooking. Also mention anything relevant that you have done while studying. If you are applying for something that requires photography for example and you have done a photography unit on your course, mention it. It all adds up.
Volunteer work is also something that should be mentioned on your CV. Just because you were not getting paid, does not make the experience less valuable, in fact, it’s quite the opposite. Volunteering shows the employer that you are a driven person who actively seeks out experience and cares about what they do.
Education
In the education section, make sure to mention that you are currently studying along with your school and course title. This should impress the employer, as you are displaying that you are interested in bettering yourself and are responsible.
Also mention your previously awarded qualifications. English and maths should almost always be mentioned, along with any qualifications that are relevant to the role. Any high grades that you have achieved will also be sure to impress.
Layout and Font
The easier it is for the potential employer to read, the better. If a CV is hard to read, they probably won’t bother to look at it.
The layout of a CV is generally in this order:
- Full name and contact details
- Introduce yourself (include why you want to work at this company)
- Skills
- Experience
- Education and qualifications
- Hobbies and interests
- References (available on request)
It isn’t necessary to follow this exactly, but it’s a good guideline.
CVs should have a font style and size that is easy to read and is consistent throughout. If the font and size are inconsistent, then the CV will be harder to read and will look very unprofessional. You should also use the same font as your cover letter if you had to write one. If you’re unsure on fonts, Arial and Calibri are popular choices that you can’t go wrong with.
Spelling and Grammar
ALWAYS proofread your CV. NO exceptions.
Bad spelling and grammar will make a very bad impression on the employer. If you’re unsure, there is no need to panic. Thanks to computers, you can check your spelling and grammar easily.
It also doesn’t hurt to ask someone you trust to read over your CV. They may find mistakes that you didn’t notice. The better the spelling and grammar, the more chance your job application has a chance of succeeding.
Language
CVs need to be formal and professional. Informal language can make it seem like you don’t care about impressing the employer.
Slang and swears should definitely be avoided. You need to look mature and competent to the person who you want to hire you. Humour should also be avoided, as it makes you seem like you are not taking the potential job seriously.
Coming Across Well
Everyone wants to come across well in their CV, but it can be hard to get the balance of humbleness and confidence just right. No one wants to look cocky, but looking like you’re not confident in your skills is not ideal either.
If you’re really struggling, think about how you speak about yourself to people you want to impress. Would you tell a date that you are terrible at everything you do or that you are amazing at everything? Not if you want to see them again!
Make it Eye Catching
Your CV isn’t going to be alone. If you want it to stand a chance of being read, it must stand out.
Adding colour to your CV is a great way to achieve this. Just don’t overdo it! Using a consistent colour for each of the headings and keeping the rest of the writing black is a safe bet. You don’t want the CV to look childish.
Still Not Satisfied?
If you’re still not happy with your CV, there are people who can help. Ask your school, college or university if they can offer support with CV writing, ask your family and friends for advice and keep at it!
