Tips on writing a good CV
By Craig from Jobulo
It’s a good question and one which we are going to set about answering as best we can in this article. When thinking about creating your CV think of the oft used phrase ‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder’ – although it may sound like an odd thing to bear in mind, this phrase holds the key to writing a good CV. Unfortunately there is no Swiss-army knife CV formula that makes a CV irresistible to all employers, you have to take a more specific approach and constantly think about what the employer you are writing to (the ‘beholder’ in this case) is looking for. To make a good CV, you are looking to create a document that emphasizes all the relevant points about your experience and credentials in relation to the job description. Achieve this and you give yourself the best possible chance of getting invited to an interview. So, practically, how do you create beauty in your CV that will have those beholders clamouring to hire you?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
#1 Experience and Qualifications
As one of their first priorities, any prospective employer will be very keen to find out if you have any experience or qualifications relevant to the role you’re applying for. This is kind of one of the first tick boxes in an employer’s head – you need to think about how you can ensure your CV ticks this box comprehensively. You may be able to achieve this by listing a school, college or university qualification that they’ve stated they’re looking for on the advert. Or you may have worked in a similar position in the past and you therefore have some great work experience that will hold you in good stead to meet the challenges of this new role. Think about the wording you use when listing your experience; are there any words the employer uses in their job advert that match your experience? Do they give a name to a specific qualification or procedure they’re looking for experience in? If so you should look to match their vocabulary for this specific term. This will instantly mean you get a ‘tick’ for this specific check box in the employer’s mind. If you haven’t got any previous experience or qualifications that exactly match the job placement then why not look at what you have got and think about how any of that experience over-laps with the role for which you are applying. In the majority of cases you will have some previous experience or a qualification that can be useful and relevant to a role – be sure you bring the employer’s attention to this in your CV.
#2 Skills
When writing the skills section of your CV you once more need to be mindful of the job description you’re responding to. Many employers list specific skills or traits in their adverts as they know the type of person they need for the vacancy. Your skills need to match what they’re looking for in order for your CV to catch their eye, and make them realise that you are indeed the perfect candidate! If you don’t have the skills the job advert specifically lists then think about the skills you do have and how you can use or adapt them to become advantageous in your new role. This will all go toward convincing the employer that you not only understand the job position but are the right person to fill it.
do your research before sending your application
#3 Passion for the Role
This is something that not every candidate will try to demonstrate in their CV and therefore it’s an area in which you can gain an advantage. A genuine passion for the job role is a major plus point in the eyes of the employer as it shows to them that this position may be more than a pay-check for you. So if you have a genuine interest in the position you’re applying for, or an aspect of it, you should definitely be looking to demonstrate this. Use any sections of text, such as your Personal Statement and Career Objective, to talk about why you have taken a particular interest in this role and how it aligns with your passions. Don’t be afraid to sound keen, the employer will welcome someone who really wants to work in their organisation.
#4 Personality
Quite often we choose jobs that fit our personalities. It makes sense as we have to work for a large portion of the day – you don’t want to be doing that in a job where you can’t be yourself now do you? So, if elements of your personality match the job vacancy then be sure to detail this in your CV content. For example; if you have great people skills and enjoy dealing with people and are applying for a customer care job then this is a massive plus for your job chances.
Over at Jobulo we have a simple to use step-by-step CV writing application that makes it easy to create a CV that’s relevant to the job position you’re applying for. So if you need a new CV don’t hesitate to pop over and give us a visit. And we wish you the best of luck with your job search!
Tip: Remember that relevance to the job role is a key element in writing a job winning CV. Bear it in mind with every section of your CV and always ask yourself: if I was the employer, what would I be looking for here? We know it’s time consuming but we recommend that you adapt your CV for every job application – this will give you the best chance of getting an interview. For more advice on creating the best possible CV check out 5 CV Mistakes You Should Avoid before starting out on your document.
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You may also want to have a look at other useful CV tips.
