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Investing time in creating a well-crafted CV can significantly boost your employability, whether you’re applying for charity 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’s:
- Use bullet points and clear, concise language
- Tailor your CV to each job you apply for
- Highlight your most relevant skills and experiences
- Include measurable achievements and results
- Use a professional email address and formatting
- Proofread your CV multiple times for errors
Don’ts:
- Submit a generic, one-size-fits-all CV
- Include irrelevant or outdated information
- Use informal language or slang
- Make your CV too long or difficult to read
- Use a quirky or unprofessional email address
- Send your CV without proofreading it first.
Do’s
1 – Keep Things Simple
A well-designed CV is crucial in making a positive impression on potential employers. The design and layout of your CV should be simple and focused, making it easy for the reader to navigate through the document. Avoid using fancy fonts or incorporating images that may not appear correctly when printed or viewed on a different device. The key is to keep it clean, professional, and relevant to the job you are applying for. Be selective with the information you include in your CV and eliminate anything that is not essential to the job or industry you are targeting.
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 your CV for each job application and highlight the skills and experience that are specifically mentioned in the job posting. A well-crafted CV can be the difference between getting your foot in the door and missing out on an opportunity.
2 – 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 your CV based on the job you’re applying for. For instance, when applying for a charity job, it’s beneficial to elaborate on your voluntary experience and skills that can be applied to a professional role. Additionally, you should be able to adapt your past job experiences to showcase how they are transferable to the new position.
Don’ts
4 – Avoid Spelling and Grammar Errors
A few errors in presentation and style will ultimately lead to someone dropping your cv in favor of another, despite your qualifications. This problem can be avoided through proofreading, and by making sure that you always have enough time before a submission date to get someone else to read through your work.
Use spellcheck and tool such as Grammarly to ensure all errors are captured and corrected. Leverage your friends and family to check your cv and give suggestions.
5 – 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.
6 – Skip Important Information
It’s crucial to include any relevant information in your CV, especially if it’s on the lighter side. As long as you can explain the significance of the experience or accomplishment and how it can benefit a new job, it can significantly enhance your CV’s overall impression.
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