CV Writing Tips
Features of effective CV
For most job seekers, the job market is a buyer's that is, an employer's market.
With so many talented people in the job market, the onus is on the candidates to sell themselves to the employer. Firstly you need to decide - is it going to be CV or resume.
General rule for all types of international CV is – ‘so shorter it is so better results are’.
One of the most important features of an effective CV is that it looks forward rather then back and addresses the needs of the job being applied for. Many CVs by contrast are more concerned with what the job seeker has done, instead of what they want to do next.
Focus your CV . Ideally, a CV will have a clear and well-defined objective that fits well with the position sought. In such a way, it is far more likely that the candidate has a carefully thought out career plan and that the position sought fits into their long-term goals. Customize it for a particular position: if you have done both R&D and manufacturing but you are looking for a position in manufacturing, emphasize your manufacturing experience.
Another aspect of focus in the CV is the exclusion of irrelevant material, especially past experience. However, should be matches to the key accountabilities, requirements or key competencies required.
In addition, quantify your experience wherever possible. Cite numerical figures, such as monetary budgets / funds saved, sales target or budgets achieved, projects completed, time periods / efficiency improved, lines of code written / debugged, numbers of machines administered / fixed, etc. which demonstrate progress or accomplishments due directly to your work.
An effective CV will highlight the candidate's skills, knowledge, attributes, competencies, professional approach, achievements, qualifications and experience described in terms of what the job seeker can do to solve the employer's problem.
Experience generally weights very heavily and should be emphasized over education.
An executive summary on page 1 (whatever the title may be - Key Strengths, Professional Competencies etc.) should bring to the employer's immediate attention the candidate's best selling features in relation to the position.
To boost your chances of getting past the screening process, follow the first rule of marketing: "Give'em what they want". Here, you can try to reflect back the very words they have used in their ad. Also, give specific examples of a how and where you have done the things, they are asking for.
Finally, this is not the time to be humble. Include as many relevant points as possible, without going overboard (save a few trump cards for the interview).
Professional, eye-catching presentation demands no errors in spelling or grammar, well-organized layout, consistent use of fonts and styles, and lots of white space!
So, when you have written a first attempt at your CV, get someone else to look at it and tell you how to make it better. What you have written may seem simple and obvious to you, but not to an employer!
Remember that your CV must be targeted and scannable.
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Other CV Writing Tips Info
Now to finalize your job search, if your cover letter and CV are ready, you may email them through our international job search engine to job recruiters and executive headhunters.
Check our how to write a resume page.
In addition, on international job search, international cover letter, international CV and international job interview pages, you will find very useful tips for many different countries.
Good luck with your CV writing tips!
