Dos for Writing a CV/Resume:
- Keep your CV/Resume brief and to the point.
- Limit it to a maximum of two A4-sized pages. Focus on relevant information that aligns with the employer’s needs. Avoid padding your CV with irrelevant details just to lengthen it; quality over quantity is key.
- Present responsibilities and accomplishments using bullet points.
- Utilize bullet points to highlight your job responsibilities and achievements. This format facilitates easy comprehension for hiring managers, allowing them to quickly grasp your role and the value you brought to your previous positions. Steer clear of lengthy paragraphs, as they make information harder to find and read.
- Outline your education and career history chronologically.
- List your education and work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. Include details such as your job title, company name, and start and end dates (month and year) for each position.
- Thoroughly proofread your CV for grammatical and spelling errors.
- A CV with typos or grammatical mistakes can quickly land in the reject pile. Demonstrating attention to detail by thoroughly proofreading your document enhances your professional image.
- Optimize your CV for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
- Many companies use ATS to screen resumes. To increase your chances of passing through this automated system, incorporate relevant keywords, complete application forms comprehensively, and minimize the use of graphics.
- Substantiate your statements with facts and figures.
- Enhance your CV by quantifying your successes and achievements with specific numbers. This approach shifts the focus from your job duties to the tangible value you contributed to your previous employers. Highlighting accomplishments demonstrates your proactive approach and enthusiasm to contribute to a new organization.
Don’ts for CV/Resume Writing:
- Avoid using personal pronouns such as “I” or “My.”
- Eliminate personal pronouns, as they are implied. For instance, instead of saying, “I led a team of interns,” opt for the more concise and effective phrasing, “Led a team of interns.” This approach minimizes repetition and focuses on showcasing skills and experiences.
- Refrain from experimenting with unconventional fonts or colors.
- Ensure your CV is visually appealing and easy to read. Using cursive or funky fonts can be detrimental. Stick to clean and widely accepted fonts like Times New Roman, Calibri, or Arial, with a font size of 11. Maintain consistency by using a single font and utilize bold and italics for emphasis.
- Avoid listing salaries and benefits.
- Omitting salary and benefits details prevents creating negative impressions or restrictions in the minds of prospective employers. Discussing compensation is best reserved for later stages of the hiring process, preferably during an in-person interview.
- Do not use your company email and number.
- Refrain from using your work email and phone number on your CV, as it may convey that you’re job hunting during work hours. Create a professional email address using your first and last name to maintain a polished image.
- Steer clear of mentioning reasons for leaving past jobs.
- Focus on showcasing skills and expertise rather than listing reasons for leaving previous positions, as it doesn’t enhance your candidacy. Save this information for discussions prompted by recruiters or hiring managers during interviews.
- Never fabricate experiences or skills.
- While nothing is preventing you from lying in your CV, the consequences can be severe if discovered. This ranges from not securing your desired job to potential termination and damage to your professional reputation. Lying can also impact your candidacy with other companies, as the hiring community is often well-connected.
