How to Write a Good CV for a Job Application

How to Write a Good CV for a Job Application
How to Write a Good CV for a Job Application

Trust me when I say your CV determines your employment. However, writing a CV is one thing, writing it well is another. On this article, we are going to show you how to write a good CV for a Job Application. Also, all the necessary details to help you create one is here. If you need assistance, you can as well contact the site.

However, if you are hunting for a job you can be doing somethings that will help you improve your work performance when you secure a job. Let’s Start!!!

What is a CV?

A CV (Curriculum Vitæ, which means course of life in Latin) is a detailed document that can be laid out over two or more pages. It contains a lot of details about your achievements in your career path. Also, it details more than a career biography. The CV covers your education, as well as any other achievement such as publications, awards, honours, etc.

CV meaning depends on where you are in the world. In the US, Canada, and Australia, a CV is a document you use for academic purposes. The US academic CV outlines every detail of your scholarly career. In other countries, CV is an equivalent of an American resume. You use it when you apply for jobs. In other words, the meaning and definition of a CV depend on your location.

What is the Difference Between A CV and A Resume?

Because this document is named differently across different countries, a lot of folks keep asking: What is the difference between a CV and a Resume? The main differences between a resume and a curriculum vitae (CV) are the

  • Length
  • What is included
  • What it is used for.

Although both documents are used in professional applications, a CV and resume are not always interchangeable. Most resumes in the US are skill-based: these are personal marketing materials designed to show the candidate’s skills, outstanding achievements and professional experience with the greatest benefit.

US CV, submitted for jobs in academia, scientific research, and medical fields, are credential-based and provide a complete (and often exhaustive) listing of one’s education, certifications, research experience, and professional affiliations and memberships.  

Importance of a Good CV

Your CV is the first opportunity for you to make a good impression on a potential employer. A high-quality CV will greatly increase your chances of getting a face-to-face interview.

It is, therefore, worthwhile to devote time and effort to the content and the presentation. It will make all the difference to get the job you want. Therefore, you should highlight your skills, experience and value.

Make sure you are concise and precise. As a general rule, your resume should not exceed two pages. Make sure you adapt it specifically to the job for which you are applying and include the skills, qualifications and experience that best fit the job.

What Do I Include in a CV?

A standard CV written in accordance with the modern-day hiring standards has to include the following sections:

  1. Contact information
  2. Personal Statement (Personal Profile)
  3. Work Experience
  4. Education
  5. Skills

Other additional section in a CV include;

  1. Professional Certifications
  2. Professional Associations
  3. Languages
  4. Additional Training and Courses
  5. Conference Participation
  6. Publications
  7. Awards
  8. Blogging and Influencing
  9. Volunteer Experience

Things to Consider When Preparing to Write a Good CV

The following things have to be in consideration when you are getting set to writing a good and acceptable CV.

1. Consider the job you are applying for

A good CV is tailored to the specific job and company you are applying for. These questions should reflect on your CV, 1. What does the company do? 2. What is your mission statement? 3. What do you think they are looking for in an employee? 4. What skills are required for the specific job you are applying for? These are all things to consider when writing your CV.

2. Check the company’s website for extra information about the CV

See if there is any specific information they want you to list in your CV. There might be specific directions listed on the application page. Always double-check this.

3. Make a list of jobs you have held.

These can be both jobs you hold currently and the jobs you have held in the past. The dates that you began and ended your term at each particular job should be included.

4. Brainstorm your hobbies and interests.

Unique interests or hobbies will set you apart from others. Think about the conclusions you can draw from your hobbies. Try to list the hobbies that describe you as a team-oriented person rather than a lonely, passive person. Businesses want someone who works well with others and can take over if necessary.

5. Make a list of your relevant skills

Often times, these skills include computing skills (are you a wiz at WordPress? Excel? inDesign? etc.), languages you speak, or specific things the company is looking for, such as targeted skills.

How Do I Write a Good CV?

Now on this section, you will learn the format for presenting a good CV.

1. Create the format for your CV

Play around with different formats to see which looks most professional. Aim for no more than the front and back of a standard sheet of paper.

2. List your name, address, telephone number, and email at the top of the page

It is important that your name is larger than the rest of the text, as it is important for your reviewer to know who he or she is reading about. It’s up to you to decide how to format this information.

3. Write a personal profile

This section is optional but it is good because it gives the reviewer a more in-depth look at you as a person.

4. Create a section for your education and qualifications.

This section can be at the beginning of your CV or you can choose to include it after other sections. The order of the sections is yours. Write down your education in reverse chronological order.

Start with the university if you attended or are attending it and work your way backwards. Indicate the name of your university, the dates you attended, your speciality and your grade point average or your A levels.

5.Create a section for your work experience

This is the section in which you should list all your relevant work experience. Enter the name of the company, its location, the years you worked and what you did.

Start with your last job and work upside down. If you have a long list of work experiences, just put the relevant experiences for the job for which you are applying.

6. Create a section for your skills and achievements

This section lists the tasks you have done in your previous work and the skills you have learned from your experiences. This is also the section where you lists your published work, the lectures you gave, the courses you taught, etc.

7. Create a section for your interests

You should list any relevant interests that paint you in the most positive light. Choose several interests from the list you created while planning to write your CV.

8. Create a section for other information

If there is a noticeable gap in your CV or there is some other information you would like to share, put it in this section.

9. Create a section for references

These are people you have worked with in the past such as professors, previous employers, etc. that have seen your work and can credibly support praises that they give you.

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