In this series of posts, we’ve already gone over what CVs and cover letters should do, and shown you how to write the perfect cover letter. This time, we share some information on creating the perfect CV.
CV means curriculum vitae, which is a Latin phrase roughly meaning “course of life.” A CV is also commonly called a résumé, but for this post, we use CV for convenience.
Formatting and design are big issues in CVs, but there are plenty of sites offering nice templates or tips on design, so we will address that only briefly, and focus on what to include in your CV and what to leave out. If you are using Word, some versions have automatic resume builders that work well and are easy to use. Microsoft also offers a number of free templates.
The main point with formatting is that you shouldn’t overdo it. A nice-looking CV is great, but it is secondary to what the text says. A beautiful layout can be a nice extra touch, but is not crucial, and one that is very busy and distracting can work against you. As long as things are not ugly and the reader can see that you know how to use modern programs on a computer, you should be fine.
Don’t go crazy with fonts and be consistent. Each section should be formatted in a similar way to the others, and for most jobs, your fonts should be clear and easy to read, and do not need to be unusual or unique. The reader wants to be impressed by your information and how it is laid out clearly, so that they can easily see your qualities and qualifications.
Of course, if you can make things nicer, do it. If you want to use a fancy layout that is clear, put in a picture of yourself, or otherwise spice things up, that’s great. Remember to check your file size to make sure that you are not sending a huge file to your employer. Nobody wants to wait for a download when the point of the CV is to present things quickly and clearly.
Let’s move on to the important issue of content, which is our focus for today.
A CV should start by giving your name and personal information at the top, with current contact information included. Think of the reader’s needs. If they are in another city or country, make sure that your phone number includes area and country codes. Use an email address that you will check regularly, and one that looks good. If your only email is beermaniac666@hotswingers.com, it’s time to get a new one. Use something professional.
Open your CV with a section on your greatest strength. If you have lots of employment experience, start with a section on that. If your academic qualifications or certifications are what make you great, open with those. Ideally, one of these two sections should be your first.
Some people like to open with a description or biography of themselves, or with a statement of their objectives. This can work, but seems a bit like a waste of time, as your cover letter should already present this information, and it is a bit unclear why your reader would need this in your CV. We find that for a lot of CVs that we edit, these sections either duplicate the cover letter, or sound vague and confused. People tend to create objectives like “to achieve a position in which I can provide outstanding service to a cutting-edge organization and develop myself professionally.” Your employer gets it already. You want the job that you are applying to. Just explain your reasons in your cover letter. When we get applicants, we usually skim over this section if there is one, to get to the “meat” of the CV.
Whatever you choose to start with, keep the points in each section short and clear. For employment history, give the position name, the company name, the dates that you worked, the location, and a few quick points describing the most important details of the position, which should be your responsibilities and accomplishments. Ideally, present no more than three or four points for each job. Be brief and clear, without too much detailed description. If there is more to say, you can say it in your cover letter.
For your educational history or certifications, give the degree or certificate name, the institution that you got it from, the dates that you studied or received certification, the location where you studied (if it is important), and any quick details on special achievements. These details should be expressed in no more than three points. If there are no important details to add, do not create some.
Try not to fill space. If you have very little to put in your CV, don’t add to it. Bulking it up with all kinds of details or, worse, creating fake experience that can’t be verified, are bad ideas. Employers will see right through this and immediately lose respect for you.
Do add sections on any real extra qualifications that you have, if they are relevant. If you speak extra languages, are familiar with specific computer programs, or have other skills that will be needed, mention them in a section on additional qualifications. If the job you are applying for is at a beach resort, you may want to mention your lifeguard skills, but if it is for a data entry position, you can leave those out. Also, do not add unclear skills like “qualified in interacting with a number of diverse individuals” to make your resume longer. Again, keep things simple and to the point. Respect your future employer’s time and intelligence.
You may want to add other sections to your CV, but the ones above are the most common and the most important. For example, for academic positions, information on your research and publications will be crucial. Other jobs may like to know about awards that you have received, your published works, or your history of community service and volunteering.
If you are applying to a limited number of jobs and have past or present employers that can give you a reference, you can ask for their permission and put in a section listing those people, their positions, their relationships with you, and their current contact information. Make sure that the contact information is correct, as employers might think that references are fake if they cannot be contacted. Even if you are not asked to provide references, being proactive and putting some in shows your confidence and understanding of the reader’s needs.
If you are applying to a large number of jobs, it is best to mention that you are happy to provide references if they are needed. You can write something like “references available on request.” Your referees will not be happy about receiving hundreds of emails and phone calls, so if you are doing mass job applications, do not put employers’ contact information in your CV.
An extra thing to remember is that, if you have the time and are only applying for a few positions, it’s a good idea to customize your CV for each one. This can be as simple as changing the order of your sections, adding information that fits the job or deleting things that are not suitable. Remember that you should try to be as honest as possible in what you do write, but feel free to leave things out if you do not want to mention them. Try to avoid deleting positions and leaving big gaps in your job history if possible.
Finally, with regard to length, if you have a lot of skills, qualifications, certifications, experience, awards, and so on, try to keep things short, but if you have almost nothing to write, do not try to make everything too long, and keep to a simple, basic CV. As we have said, your future employer will like it that you are honest and considerate of their time.
Next time, we finish things off with some bonus tips for writing great CVs and cover letters that will give you an advantage.
If you have questions or would like our help, leave them in the comments or send us an email. We will be happy to respond, and if you want us to write your cover letter or CV for you, check out our copywriting services, ask us to edit your existing CV and cover letter, or just have a proofread done.
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