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Investing time in creating a well-crafted CV can significantly boost your employability, whether you’re applying for high-profile jobs or fresh out of university. A clear and concise CV that highlights your achievements and professional identity is crucial in landing your dream job. Here are some essential do’s and don’ts to keep in mind while creating your CV.
Overview
- Do Customize
Your CV : Tailor your CV to the job description to highlight relevant skills and experiences. This shows employers that you’re attentive and seriously interested in the position. - Do Use Active Verbs: Energize
your CV with action verbs like “achieved”, “managed”, and “created” to convey your accomplishments effectively and forcefully. - Do Include Quantifiable Achievements: Where possible, add numbers to your achievements. For example, “increased sales by 20%” is more impactful than “responsible for increasing sales”.
- Do Keep It Concise: Limit
your CV to two pages at most. A concise CV shows that you can prioritize information and that you respect the hiring manager’s time. - Do Proofread: Spelling or grammatical errors can make a bad impression. Use tools like Grammarly, or get someone else to proofread
your CV before submission.
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- Don’t Use a Generic CV: Avoid sending the same CV to multiple employers. A generic CV can make you come off as uninterested and lazy.
- Don’t Include Irrelevant Information: Do not clutter
your CV with information not relevant to the job. This dilutes your key messages and wastes valuable space. - Don’t Lie About Your Skills or Experiences: Honesty is crucial in
your CV . False information can be easily verified by employers and can lead to job dismissal if discovered. - Don’t Use an Unprofessional Email Address: If your email address is unprofessional, create a new one for job applications. An email address like [email protected] makes a better impression.
- Don’t Forget to Include Keywords: Many companies use software to screen CVs. Make sure to include keywords from the job description to ensure
your CV passes the initial screenings.
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Do’s
Keep Things Simple
A well-designed CV is crucial in making a positive impression on potential employers. The design and layout of
This might involve trimming old or irrelevant work experiences, part-time or temporary jobs, and irrelevant hobbies or interests. Focus on highlighting the achievements and experiences that are relevant to the job and company you are applying for. Don’t forget to tailor
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Explain Skills Gained From Particular Jobs
Ideally, when listing a job or training course, it’s beneficial to include notes on the skills and experiences acquired during their completion. Additionally, it’s essential to explain your responsibilities in these roles, as well as any gained experience in using specific software or receiving in-job training.
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To increase your chances of landing a job, it’s crucial to understand what to highlight in
Don’ts
Avoid Spelling and Grammar Errors
A few errors in presentation and style will ultimately lead to someone dropping
Use spellcheck and tools such as Grammarly to ensure all errors are captured and corrected. Leverage your friends and family to check
Distort Jobs
Don’t make it out that you had more responsibilities, or gained more skills, in certain jobs. The truth will eventually catch up with you and will lead to problems with employers. In the same way, don’t distort your qualifications, even if it’s only by a grade or so. Again, the punishment by an employer can be severe.
Skip Important Information
It’s crucial to include any relevant information in
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