I review CVs almost on a daily basis. Hardly will a week go by without having a chat or interviewing candidates. Truth is one cannot see all the candidates but your CV gives you a leg in the door.
The word ‘Curriculum Vitae’ has its root meaning from a Latin word which means ‘course of life’. Your CV is a snapshot of who you are and what you have done.
It is a summary of your background, experience, education, achievements, awards and other activities that may be taken into consideration when looking for a job. In other words, your CV is you without your physical presence.
When an interviewer or prospective employer peruses a CV, there are certain things they are looking out for. Getting what they’re looking for or otherwise can determine whether you get a look in or you’re looked over.
There are eight major questions a good CV must answer.
1. Who are you?
A good CV must answer this question by giving the basic information, such as the name of the candidate, phone details and e-mail address, as a minimum. Including a physical address is no longer required because of security concerns. A good CV should also have a brief bio that is well written and original.
Your CV is you without your physical presence. Make sure it represents you well. Share on X2. What have you done?
A good CV speaks to three major items here: educational history, work history and personal attributes. Your list of degrees should be stated, including the ones you are still pursuing.
I personally prefer the reverse chronological order—describing your most recent first before previous ones. Do the same for your work history. Be very specific with your experience, especially those that are applicable to the role you’re applying for. List your achievements.
It is important to include other forms of experience. If you served in a leadership capacity, please include it. I once interviewed a lady and I was drawn to the statement on her CV that she served as the Vice President of the Students’ Union Government during her undergraduate days. She was interviewing for a sales role and her leadership skills came in handy. When I was younger, I always included in my CV that I was the President of the Students’ Union Government when I was an undergraduate student. If you served as a volunteer anywhere, please include it.
3. What do you like?
Your CV should reflect your areas of interest. I should be able to read your CV and see a pattern for those who are well experienced. What are your hobbies?
4. What skills do you have?
You should clearly state the skills related to the job role applied for. Don’t wait for a physical or virtual interview to mesmerise the panel. Let them be able to pick up your CV and decipher where you fit in.
There are three major types of skills: transferable, employability and technical skills. If you’re a specialist in an area, state it. It’s also a good place to state the languages spoken. The more languages you can speak, the better your chances of being hired.
Your qualifications alone won't get you noticed. Your CV must tell a compelling story about who you are and what you bring to the table. Share on XRead the remaining four points in Part 2.
If you would like to have more practical insights and strategies that can help you land your dream job, get a copy of my book, How to Stand Out and Get Hired. It’s available at Roving Heights Bookstore and Amazon.