You never get a second chance to make a first impression!
Your CV is your business card for future employers and your key to opportunity. It is probably your most important sales tool when looking for a new position, view it as a great opportunity to sell yourself to a potential employer. It presents the first impression of who you are and if you meet the qualifications the employer is looking for. It is the key that opens the door to the first interview and has the potential to shape your future career. A short time invested in getting this document looking great will definitely pay off.
We strongly believe that the CV is your document and should reflect your personal style and presentation.
While there is no one right way to write a CV, there are some well established guidelines which should, no matter what the job, always be followed :
- Present your information in a clear and concise format which offers the reader (probably your next employer) a quick and easy overview of your qualifications. Use bullet form where possible.
- Do not use fonts that are difficult to read; Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, or a similar font is best. Font size should be between 10 and 12 points, although your name and the section headings can be a little larger and/or bolded.
- Keep it to a minimum, no more than 4 pages, preferably 2 or 3. Don’t go into too much detail, save that for the interview.
- Include detailed contact information on the first page. Always include your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address and Skype account and, if you have a website that you think will add value to your application, include that too.
- Be honest at all times. Providing false information about previous experience or qualifications might seem like a good idea, but if you get caught, it could end your career for good.
- If gaps exist, don’t elaborate on your CV but be prepared to discuss confidently at an interview the reason for the gap, and what you were doing while you were unemployed.
- If you are applying for a specific position, then try to tailor your CV targeting that specific position, showcasing your relevant skills and experience. Include every significant detail.
- The career history should be in reverse chronological order, factual and accurate. Allocate the largest amount of information on your two most recent positions and reduce the detail as you work back. Emphasize achievements and successes, try to offer numerical evidence, eg: “ADR increased by 8%”
- List details (name, current position, telephone number and e-mail address) of 3 reliable referees which may be contacted. Make sure you have asked them first. If you do not wish to include their information, you can simply write, “references available upon request”.
- Always check and double check your CV for spelling and grammar errors, also make sure your employment dates match up. Take a fresh look the next day and ask a trusted friend or colleague for a second opinion. Remember : your CV is the first thing a hiring manager sees from your job application, it must be impressive and convincing!
The following lists the information typically included in a CV:
Objective
Personal Information
Name
Address
Telephone number
E-mail address
Skype account
Date of birth
Nationality
Marital Status
Children and their age
Education
Type of education
Name and place of institution
Date of completion
Additional certificates obtained
Career History
Company name and short description
Title
Period of employment
Job description
Achievements
Reason for change of job
Language skills
Miscellaneous
Professional memberships
Hobbies and interests
IT skills
Work permit / visum / driver’s license
Referees
We hope these tips will assist you in producing an effective CV and that it will open the right door for you!