How to Tailor Your CV To the Job
You keep sending out your old CV, but you hardly get any calls. Truth is, often your qualifications, skills, and experience alone would not be enough to get the job you want. The hiring manager would also like to see that you are really interested in the job you are applying for. Most hiring managers can spot a generic CV from miles away. You would not want to be one of these candidates who get dismissed because they did not tailor their CV to the job position and company they are applying for. In this article, we are going to answer the two most important questions about tailoring your CV: Why should you tailor your CV?How to tailor your CV? And once we are done, get ready to get some great amount of calls, and finally get the job you want. Before that, don’t forget that your CV design also matters. Make sure you perfect it using our CV Builder. But if you are ready to learn how to tailor your CV, stick around. Why should you tailor your CV?Tailoring your CV is the best way to improve your chances of getting an interview for the job you want. Fact is, hiring managers have to go through tons of CVs on a daily basis, and there is no easy way to do so. Through the years, two possible solutions have dominated as a solution to this problem. The first one is for the hiring manager to do a quick scan around the CV and decide whether this candidate may be a good fit for the position. Typically, these scans last about 6-7 seconds and are mainly focused on important keywords for the job. In more recent times, that process has been automated using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). That software scans through your application documents automatically and ranks your suitability for the job depending on keywords it finds. You can probably see what these 2 methods have in common – it’s all about the keywords. Using a generic CV that you send out to all job postings you like will most definitely fail. What you need to do is find all the important keywords from the job description and tailor your CV using them. Furthermore, tailoring your CV shows the hiring manager that you are really interested in the job. Focusing on your most relevant experience and skills can really show them that you are a great fit for the job. How to tailor your CV? Now that you understand the importance of tailoring your CV, let’s find out how to do it right. There are a few things you need to do every single time to get the best results. Research the company Before you get started with the actual tailoring of your CV, you need to know who you are tailoring it for. Take your time and find everything you can about the company’s values and culture. Typically, you can find all the information you need on their website, but you can also check out their social network accounts, like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Every piece of information may help you in tailoring your CV to match what they are looking for. Carefully review the job description After you learn the company’s values and culture, and match them in your CV, you need to also match what they are looking for in the specific role you are applying for. Reading the job description and deciding you are the guy for the job is not enough, you need to really dig deep in every word and find out everything the hiring manager would be looking for in your documents. By reading the job description carefully and multiple times, you will get a better understanding of the position, and will already be one step ahead of all the competition for the job. Find all the important keywords You have now read the whole job description back and forth and you fully understand the job position you are applying for, and what the hiring manager would be looking for in your CV. But to make sure they will find exactly what they look for, you need to take out all the important keywords from the job description and list them in your CV. That’s the first and most important step of actually tailoring your CV. An important thing to do here is keep the language and phrasing the same as the job description. Hiring managers have very limited time to scan through job applications, and providing them with just what they are looking for can really set you ahead of other candidates. Furthermore, more and more companies are using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) for their pre-selection. In that case, if you don’t have enough keywords that match exactly the job description, you might be dismissed, no matter how qualified. Make you skills and experience relevantBut just listing keywords all over your CV won’t do the trick, you need to show that your experience and skills are relevant to the position you are applying for.Some of your experience may seem irrelevant at first, but take the time and really think about what skills are transferable from your old job to the job you want.Nobody expects you to be a perfect match for everything the hiring manager is looking for, but you need to show yourself in the best possible light.And that’s what tailoring your CV is all about – making the skills and experience you have appear to the best advantage.Include measurable resultsAll your experience and skills are now relevant and using all the right keywords.Unfortunately, in most cases that’s still not enough to impress the hiring manager, you need to take it one step further.You need to prove your work-related achievements in a way that is easy to understand by just one glance.The best way to do so is to use the numbers in your favor.Every achievement you would like to list on your CV can be measured by some metrics, and you need to show off your results using them.By adding metrics to your experience, skills, and keywords, you can really nail tailoring your CV.ProofreadYou seem to be all done with tailoring your CV, but there is still one thing you need to do, and you should never forget about it.What you should be particularly on the lookout for are:Spelling and grammar mistakesInconsistent punctuationBroken website linksIncorrect contact informationLong or unclear sentencesIf you want to be extra careful, you can always ask some family and friends to proofread it for you as well.TakeawaysWe are all done, you now know why tailoring your CV is so important, and how to do it right.Let’s go through it all one last time, you need to:Research the company and learn about their values and culture, so you can match that in your CVRead the job description, and then read it again and again, until you are sure you fully understand what the hiring manager would be looking for in your applicationFind all the keywords from the job description and use them in your CV, using the same language, as your CV might go through an ATS pre-selectionMake sure all experience and skills you have listed on your CV are relevant to the job position you are applying forUse numbers in your favor, they can really prove all your work-related accomplishments in a great and attention-grabbing wayDon’t forget to proofread your tailored CV, and once you are done, you are ready to get your dream job.
How to Write a Powerful CV That Gets You Hired
Here to make a great CV that jumpstarts your dream career? The CV-making process is usually described as an impossible task that takes days to complete. Many people claim that you must make mistakes before you can accurately write about yourself or describe your expertise in a resume. But none of that is true! The reality is… You can learn everything there is to know about writing job-winning CVs in an hour. Take a couple more hours to revisit your career history and list down your qualifications. And you'll be closer than ever to landing a job at the company of your dreams. That's exactly what we're going to help you achieve in this guide. This article will teach you: The difference between CVs and resumes and how that affects your job huntHow to best format your CV for maximum job successHow to write the most essential CV sections to tell your story without any plot holesExpert tips to help you tailor your CV specifically to each job positionThe biggest red flags to avoid when building a CV for your next big job Ready?Let’s get started. What Is the Difference Between a CV and a Resume?"Resume" and "CV" (Curriculum Vitae) are synonyms used in different parts of the world. The word "Resume" is used in the US, Canada, and Germany — whereas "CV" is more popular in the UK, Europe, and a lot of Asian countries. If you research the two definitions online, you'll come across many guides claiming that there are major differences. But in reality: The document you create is mostly the same — except for a few small changes here and there. For instance, it's common practice to include a photo in your CV, while not all companies are open to that in the US. If you want to dive deeper into those differences, we created a comprehensive CV vs. Resume article just for that. "I already have a resume, how do I turn it into a CV?" This is a common question asked especially by Americans applying for jobs in Europe. The answer to that is simple — a few minor adjustments are enough to get your resume to match CV writing guidelines. So… Aside from the basic sections and elements of a resume, a CV can also include these optional details: Full home addressDate of birthNationalityGender / Marital statusHobbies and interestsLanguages If you’re ready to create a CV from scratch: Europass is a free platform that helps job seekers enhance their job search and land more interviews quickly. You can use this tool to create a CV that matches job market guidelines in Europe and beat any applicant tracking systems. Looking for more advanced features and better design options in a CV builder? Enhancv is a highly-customizable tool that helps you create the perfect CV without much hassle. We have a large library of templates and modern themes to get you noticed and increase your job success rate. The best part? You can start making your CV right away with only a few clicks. Enhancv resumes are also easy to modify and update to match any opportunity that comes your way. Everything You Need to Know About CV Formats The CV format is the general layout, design, and sections you have in your CV. It has a major effect on how recruiters see your resume and whether they’re going to consider your application. Let us jump now into more details about CV formats: What Is the Best Format for a CV? There are many ways to format your CV and organize your sections. Each format is focused on highlighting specific details about you to make your resume more appealing. The most popular CV formats are: Reverse-chronological CV formatFunctional CV formatCombination CV format So what’s the best format for your CV? The Reverse-Chronological CV FormatThe reverse-chronological format focuses on job expertise, so it’s your best bet if you’re applying for a position that requires a lot of experience. It’s called “reverse-chronological” because it highlights your work history starting from your latest job and going backwards.The Functional CV FormatThe functional CV format showcases the most relevant skills and in-demand talents. So that makes it the ideal format for inexperienced job seekers and entry-level candidates who need a chance to prove their worth.The Combination CV FormatAs its name suggests, the combination format is a hybrid of the reverse-chronological and the functional CV format. It’s the best fit for candidates looking to make a serious forward step in their careers as it features their vast job experience and top skills.What Do Employers Look For in a CV?Depending on the job requirements, you can predict what the hiring manager wants to see in your CV. Once you identify that, you can create a highly-targeted CV that gets you noticed.First and foremost:Recruiters don’t want to exhaust themselves mentally by reading a CV that’s too creative.Therefore…You shouldn't modify the whole structure of your resume or make a lot of changes. It’s important to stick to the basics of CV making and follow HR-approved formatting guidelines.Here’s what potential employers want to see in your CV:1. Expertise and AchievementsThe most critical section to look at for recruiters is the experience section. Because it often contains the answer to whether the hiring company should hire you.Headhunters want to see upward career progression throughout the years with no employment gaps in between. That is essential for proving your expertise and showing how dedicated you are to your profession.More importantly:Recruiters want to see proof that you’ve succeeded in a similar work environment while working on relevant projects. Thus, highlighting your biggest accomplishments is a huge must if you want to leave a memorable impression.2. Relevant SkillsetThe skills section is the easiest to skim through and analyze for recruiters. It helps them tell within seconds if a CV fits their ideal candidate profile and whether they should call you for an interview.So, make a list of sought-after skills by reading the job application. Then choose the most relevant ones to add to your CV.Listen:Creating a separate section for skills is a must, but it's never enough for emphasizing your extensive skill set. Be sure to also highlight your talents in the personal statement and experience section.3. Data and Quantifiable MetricsQuantifiable metrics make all the difference when it comes to proving your worth. Before picking up your CV, the hiring manager has read dozens of job applications full of vague claims. Yet, none of them was captivating or credible because they all sound the same and don't offer any proof.How do you make your job performance stand out?Add data and measurable results when featuring accomplishments in your CV. Help the recruiter understand your full impact within context using numbers and statistics.4. Proper Spelling and GrammarAlthough this isn’t something headhunters look for intentionally, mistakes in spelling and grammar often stand out and leave a lasting negative impression.Always proofread your CV and look for spelling mistakes before sending it to hiring companies.How Many Pages Is a Good CV?One page.Unless you have decades of experience with extensive skills in the industry, making your CV longer than one page is unnecessary. A lengthy CV comes off as obnoxious and shows desperation. Besides, it only makes it harder for recruiters to go through your application.Because of that…One page is almost always ideal for your CV to convey expertise and prove your skillset. It's also long enough to showcase your educational background and feature relevant certificates.Now listen:There are situations where making a two-page CV is a must. For instance, if you're applying for a competitive senior-level position, you can get away with using a two-page resume in your application. Sometimes that can be the only way to convey the full scope of your expertise and get noticed.How Far Back Should Your CV Go?This one is a really crucial question to ask before you sit down to create your CV. Because it will affect your application in many ways, including your resume length.Headhunters expect to see relevant work experiences that are also recent. So how far back can you go in a CV?Here's the short answer:HR experts recommend that you go 10 to 15 years back in your work history. That would be enough to provide a thorough overview of your experience and recent career progression. Are there situations where you should go back further than 15 years?Obviously, there are always exceptions to make when hunting for a job. For example, if you occupied a lower-level position at a widely successful company two decades ago, it may be good to include that experience in your CV. It shows that you have the qualifications to thrive at larger companies.How to Add Personal Details to Your CV: Writing a Good HeaderThe first section to add to your CV is for personal details — often referred to as the header.The header contains your essential contact information, including the following elements:Full nameJob titleLocationEmail addressMobile numberLinkedIn profileAlthough it seems straightforward, making mistakes when writing the personal details section can hurt your chances of getting hired. For example, recruiters are more likely to ignore your CV if you:Add an irrelevant job titleUse an unprofessional email addressInclude your full home addressDon't feature a link to your LinkedInApplying for a job in a European country?There are some differences between job applications in the US and Europe. For instance, it's possible to add a professional photo and your birth date when applying for a job in Europe. If you're not sure:You must do a quick Google search about the norms in the country you're applying in. You should also check the job description to see what the hiring company is asking for specifically. Does Your CV Need a Personal Statement?When recruiters are overwhelmed, they turn to the personal statement to ease the workload. They may spend as little as 7 seconds looking at this section to make an informed decision about any candidate from the pile.But what exactly is a personal statement for a CV?A personal statement is a short paragraph that summarizes your professional history. It usually comes at top of the page to stand out and keep hiring managers interested.The personal statement in your CV highlights an overview of your biggest career accomplishments. It also features your best skills, as well as your educational background and certificates.An attention-grabbing professional summary is:Concise — as it doesn't exceed five to eight sentencesDescriptive — by featuring accurate details about your achievements and qualificationsTargeted — specifically written to match the job descriptionHow do you craft a job-winning career summary?Write a first sentence that describes your job title and years of experienceUse action verbs and precise metrics to solidify your claimsDrop any personal pronouns to improve sentence flow and avoid repetitionInsert some personality in it to give headhunters a glimpse into what it's like to work with youLet's look at some examples to better illustrate these points:Adding Experience to Your CV: Do’s and Don’tsHow do you make headhunters fall in love with you?Create a compelling experience section.Experience is where you spotlight your strongest selling points and helphiring companies see your true worth. You'll feature your greatest accomplishments and skills to give recruiters all the answers they're looking for.For each job you include, you have to add a:Professional job titleCompany name (a description is optimal)LocationEmployment duration (start-finish)3 to 5 Bullet points to list your achievementsUsually, this is the section that affects your CV length the most. We've already detailed the most popular formats for your CV and explained why keeping it one page long is a must.Now…Let's get to the nitty-gritty of crafting an experience section that makes you the centre of attention.Here's how to portray your professional expertise the right way:Prioritize relevant career accomplishments and resultsInclude concrete metrics and results to outshine other applicantsUse action verbs and remove all personal pronounsResearch and add keywords from the job offer to improve your keyword score and beat ATSHave you ever been promoted to a higher position in the past? Be sure to emphasize that here because promotions prove that you had the grit and skills to thrive in the job.Let's take a look at some unique CV experience examples:Do I need a CV for my first job?A CV is always required if you want to apply for a job anywhere. You need to create one and use it in your job hunt, no matter how inexperienced you believe you are.Besides, there's a first time for everything… The sooner your build a strong CV, the quicker you'll land a job that will help you gain more experience. It won't be long before you find yourself climbing up the company hierarchy or looking for a better job.Here’s a complete guide to help you build a stellar CV for your first job.Tips For Writing a CV With No ExperienceCompanies rely on experience as a shortcut to avoid any problems during the hiring process. That's because experienced applicants often require less training and are more likely to do a better job after successful onboarding.However:There is no shortage of qualified job seekers with long years of experience who fail at new jobs. Consequently, headhunters are more open to hiring inexperienced candidates as long as their profile is promising.So how do you make your CV attractive despite your inexperience?The following tips work for entry-level applicants and recent graduates. But they're also good advice for anyone in the middle of a career transition.You can make up for your lack of experience by emphasising:Unique soft and core skillsAwards and honoursEducational backgroundLicenses and certificationsSuccessful projectsExtracurricular ActivitiesAnother crucial thing you must do is explain how you might be able to help the hiring company thrive. Draw attention to the overlap between your current experience and how your character traits will allow you to excel at the position. You may also briefly illustrate your vision for the future in your personal statement. Describe what you wish to achieve and how you can contribute once you're hired.What Are The Most Essential Skills to Add to Your CV?Skills are a vital part of your CV because they help recruiters see your worth clearly. Knowing which talents to feature is one of the best ways to beat ATS and shine over other candidates.Now:The most two important types of skills to put on a CV are soft skills and hard skills. You need to include both in your resume to spotlight your vast experience and get hired.What exactly do we mean by soft and hard skills?A soft skill is any transferable talent that helps you thrive in the workplace. That includes interpersonal qualities such as leadership, teamwork, and communication — as well as any other personality traits.A hard skill, however, refers to any learned skill or acquired knowledge that is specific to your job. For example, the technical abilities or the business acumen you develop after training can be considered a hard skill.So how do you actually choose strong skills to put in your CV?Two things: importance and relevance.Before you add any skills to this section, you need to make sure that it's both relevant and important to the recruiter. This will help you avoid focusing on generic skills that everyone is listing in their CVs.Here's what you should do:Go through the job ad again and take a look at the requirements section. Which job duties does the hiring company need help with? What character traits are they looking for in their ideal candidate?Once you answer these two questions, you'll easily come up with dozens of soft and core skills to put in your CV. You must then scatter these talents across different sections of your resume.To help ease the CV-making process for you, we made a list of the most sought-after soft skills for your application:Communication skillsLeaderships skillsTeam management skillsDetail-orientedMulti-taskingInterpersonal skillsDecision-makingProblem-solvingCreativityCritical thinkingTransferable skillsIs Education Necessary on a CV?Depending on the job role and industry, hiring companies often ask job seekers to include their educational background in their CVs. This is especially true for corporate jobs or traditional fields such as law and accounting.So:You should take a quick look at the job description to see whether you need to include your academic record. Even if not required, featuring a college degree will help you stay ahead of your competition.Adding education to your CV is easy. All you need is to include the following details:Degree titleEducational institution (university/college)Years attended/Graduation dateGPA (especially if it's 3.5 or above)You may now be wondering: Where should I place “Education” on my resume?If you're a recent graduate, it makes sense to prioritize showcasing your educational background by placing it at the top. But for most experienced job hunters, this section should come right below the skills section.Additional Sections for Your CV: Awards, Courses, and CertificationsSo far:We've covered the fundamental parts you must have in your CV to land the job of your dreams. An HR robot would hire you at a drop of a hat if you use your CV as it is now.However…HR specialists are human beings with unpredictable thoughts and desires. You never know what could inspire a recruiter to give you a chance instead of others. That's why you must go beyond the ordinary and create additional sections that will bring life to your CV.Before we add more parts that will make your resume shine, you must first understand why you should do that. After all, isn't a shorter CV better for pleasing recruiters?Basically:Additional sections are a brilliant way to build rapport with headhunters before you even meet them. They help you express your personality and show your true self beyond the standard job requirements.On top of that:Adding sections like certifications and awards is a sure way of getting yourself shortlisted for an interview. Because these are the details recruiters look for when they can't decide between the last few finalists.So what are the best additional CV sections to put in your CV?CoursesCertificationsAwards and honoursHobbies and interestsLanguagesProjectsHow to Tailor Your CV to a Specific JobUnlike the traditional job market, organizations today have much wider hiring options. They receive hundreds of applications as soon as they post a new job ad. And they get to choose their perfect candidate from an unending pool of talent using applicant tracking systems (ATS).Can you take a quick guess on who these companies never hire?Candidates like Ethan, who's well-qualified for the job but uses a generic CV.ATS are programmed to scan through all job applications and only keep the ones with relevant keywords. But even if Ethan makes it through the first filter, a hiring manager will be quick to throw his untargeted resume in the trash. Hence, the importance of tailoring your CV to specific job offers with related skills and experience.What Ethan needs to do to land interviews is quite simple:Read carefully through the job descriptionResearch potential employers to identify their hiring needs and biggest challengesIdentify important phrases and keywords relevant to the job positionPrecise the key skills and duties that the hiring company is struggling withOnce he builds a list of relevant information about the hiring company, he could easily refine his CV to include that. For instance, he must rephrase his experience and achievements to include job-related keywords and strong action verbs.Important ATS Tips to Get Yourself NoticedApplicant tracking systems were initially designed to help hiring managers shortlist final candidates. It’s a highly-efficient technology that saves companies thousands of hours each year.Here's the deal…Hiring companies use ATS to scan hundreds of resumes in a short time. The tool will eliminate any job seekers with a weak resume and leave the best ones for the recruiter to judge. So if you think about it:An ATS is also going to help you land the job of your dreams if your CV is well-written. It's your ticked to stand out among a large crowd of competing applicants.In this part, we'll share with you some smart tips to craft an ATS-friendly CV that gets you shortlisted.1. Save Your CV in PDF FormatUsing the wrong CV file format can end your job hunt before it begins. That's especially true if your resume loses its formatting whenever an ATS or a recruiter tries to read it.There are two popular formats for CV making: DOCX and PDF.DOCX can work for you if you have a basic resume with a simple design. You don't have to worry about formatting going wrong or losing attractive elements in your CV. The ATS will just go over the page word by word and then send it to the hiring manager to check.PDF is what keeps your CV intact, no matter the design style, fonts, colours, or elements. It's accurately scanned by ATS and is often requested by hiring companies when submitting applications.This second format also works better if you're submitting your CV online. You can easily upload your file to a web form or submit it via email without any issues.2. Research ATS KeywordsThe way an applicant tracking system works is simple: It goes over your CV word by word and tries to identify similarities between your content and what the hiring company is looking for. Then, it calculates a keyword score as well as a candidate score based on skills and expertise.That keyword score is a huge determining factor as to whether you're going to get picked for an interview. If it is too low, the ATS will assume that your experience is irrelevant and reject you automatically.How do you pick the best ATS keywords for your CV?Read through the job description and try to identify the most relevant keywords you need to use. This includes soft and core skills, tools and technologies, industry-relevant metrics — as well as action verbs.Listen:These keywords need to blend in perfectly with the rest of your content. So you have to insert them in your summary, experience, and skills in a way that makes sense to the reader once they pick up your resume.Why is this important?Throwing keywords randomly on the page will leave a negative impression on headhunters. It can be a way to trick ATS into picking you. However, a human reader will immediately skip your resume once they see that your sentences don't make sense.3. Create a Professional CV DesignMaking a well-designed CV makes your application appealing to both humans and robots. It uses an eye-catching design that reflects competence and professionalism. And it gives hiring managers time to rest their eyes by featuring a wide margin and a lot of white space around page elements. Now:The first thing to avoid when building your CV is complex formatting options such as tables, text boxes, and graphics. Such design options will only confuse the ATS and make it impossible for anyone to read your page.If you want to make any idea stand out, it's better to bold your words or use attractive colours instead.Also:Be sure to create a unique style guide and stick to it in designing any element on the page. For example, your section headings should all be in the same colour and font size. And you have to include standard titles such as "Summary," "Experience," "Skills," etc.Choose two colours at most to embellish your CV. And pick modern fonts with different sizes to create a clear hierarchy. This will make your CV easily scannable for any software no matter the algorithm.3 CV Red Flags That Might Prevent You From Getting HiredCongratulations!Your CV is 95% ready…Now, you need one last check to make sure that you haven't made any huge mistakes that can sabotage your job hunt. These are common recruiter pet peeves that you must avoid like the plague.What are the biggest red flags in a CV?1. Using an Outdated CVAn outdated resume sells you the impression that you have a chance of landing the job you've always dreamt of. But in reality, you can spend months applying for easy jobs and never land an interview.Throughout this guide, we've discussed some of the outdated trends that make your resume unappealing. For example, including old-fashioned skills or using an unattractive design are some of the quickest ways to turn off recruiters.Aside from that… How do you update your CV?Your CV is also outdated if it doesn't include your latest career progression. Did you acquire new skills?Have you completed a new course?Did any of the projects you worked on finally launch?Were you promoted to a higher position in your previous company?These are all updates worth mentioning in your CV to make it look alive. Recruiters will appreciate seeing that you've taken the time to inform them about your journey over the past years.2. Lying on a CVLying on a CV always backfires.Although usually not illegal, lying puts applicants in a tight spot with their potential employers once it's discovered. After all, hiring companies have their own systems to detect lies and evaluate candidates accurately.For instance:The headhunter will take all the time needed to analyze the CV once they find a candidate they like. They'll research each job hunter online and prepare a lot of questions for the interviews. Occasionally…Recruiters might even conduct a background check about anything mentioned in the resume — especially when it comes to education and work history.You can guess what happens to the job seeker once they're exposed for lying. They'll lose the job offer right away. Their personal brand is damaged for long years to come, which makes them lose many interesting job opportunities.So:Avoid lying on your CV at all costs.3. Using Generic Job DutiesGeneric responsibilities are your worst enemy. They're scored low by ATS and often frowned upon by recruiters. So you can only imagine the amazing jobs you'll miss out on if you copy-paste past duties from Google.But let's be honest:It's hard to come up with persuasive bullet points detailing your work history. Many candidates take days or weeks to come up with a list of past accomplishments that are worth mentioning.You may be able to write a few bullet points on the spot. But if you're featuring two or three jobs with five bullet points each, you'd have to get a way deeper to be more persuasive.The solution?Make a list of all the related plans, operations, or programs you were part of in the past. You must explain how you contributed to the success of those projects — whether you were a manager or a team member. Then, prove your results with quantifiable metrics. Try to also include skills and relevant talents within context to show what you have to offer.Be sure to also keep a consistent format using short sentences and action verbs at the start. Couldn't come up with that many bullet points for each job?List only three powerful sentences ordered by importance. It's better to keep your experience section concise than to fill your CV with unnecessary fluff and weakening sentences.Key TakeawaysCV and Resume mostly mean the same thing, but they’re used in different countries in the world. Creating a CV is necessary for landing a job in the UK, Europe, and many Asian countriesYour document must include the main CV sections, which are personal details, personal statement, experience, skills, and education. However, you can also include some additional sections to bring your resume to lifeYour CV template can make or break your job search efforts. So sure to use a modern CV builder that gives you HR-approved layouts and design stylesTailoring your CV to each job opportunity is essential for rising above the competition and getting shortlisted among hundreds of applicantsRead through CV writing guidelines in the country you're applying to work in. Avoid any CV mistakes and red flags that could cost you your dream job.
What is a CV? Definition, Structure, Purpose, Types & Meaning
No matter what job you are applying for, you will most definitely need to present your professional experience, achievements, and skill set. In most cases, you can achieve that with a resume, but in some industries, a different format is required – a CV. But all that raises more question, and provides us with no answers. That’s why we are here, in this article, we are going to get the answers of the most important CV-related questions: What is a CV?Who really needs to write a CV?What is the difference between CV and resume?How to format a CV? And once you are done, you would have a better understanding of what is expected from your application documents. If you want to really nail your job hunt with your CV, you should absolutely check out our CV Builder. But before that, make sure you learn all the essentials around what a CV is. What is a CV? The term Curriculum Vitae (CV) literally translates to “the course of your life” from Latin. And that pretty much sums up what it should consist of. A CV is supposed to go through your whole life, your whole work history, education, academic accomplishments, research, any publications that have your name on them, and anything else you have done in your professional life. If employers expect more candidates for a given position, they may ask for a CV summary. That is a shortened version of your CV, typically 2-3 pages long, that helps them pre-select candidates before they see your full CV. And one last thing – if you are applying for a job in Europe, you should know that there the term CV is used for what is called a resume in the USA. So feel free to just rename your resume file to “[Name] CV” and you should be good to go. Who really needs to write a CV? Most of the time, you would need to write a resume to apply for job positions. However, there are a few fields of work where a CV would be required. The most common ones are: Academia – whether you are a researcher, or a professor, you would most likely need to present your potential employer a CV. That’s because most of your qualifications depend on past research, presentations, and keeping up to date as an expert in your field.Medicine – if you are in medicine, you most definitely need a CV, even if you are in your early years in your practice, or not actively researching.Law – if your field of work is law, especially in academia, or if you are teaching law, you will also improve your chances by writing a CV.Research – you probably can already guess that, but your CV would be a great asset and should be the preferred type of application document for any kind of research, even if it outside of academia. If you are not sure whether you would need a CV or a resume for your application, don’t be afraid to ask. Hiring managers would gladly help you out, and the answer is just one phone call away. What is the difference between CV and resume?CVs and resumes have some important similarities, like:They are both professional application documents for job positionsThey include similar sections, and are structured similarlyBut what sets them apart?Apart from their use, that we already talked about, their most key difference is their length.If you are used to writing resumes, you might be tempted to shorten your CV, so that it would become a one-pager.However, that should not be applied to a CV.The answer of why they differ in their length, may be found right there in the name of the document type.A resume translates to “summary”, and should be used to summarize your work history, skills, and anything else relevant to the position. The goal in that document format is to present yourself as a professional in just one page.On the other hand, a CV (or Curriculum Vitae) means “course of life”, and is supposed to present a detailed overview of your professional career.What should a CV include?Now that you know that you should go into detail when writing a CV, there is one last thing you need to think about – what sections you should include.You no longer have to worry about length, so you can freely make it 2-3 pages long, or even exceed 10 pages, if you have lots of experience to show.Typically, would you would want to include on your CV is:Your nameContact informationEducationSkillsExperienceBut apart from the basics, you should consider listing also:Research and teaching experiencePublicationsGrants and fellowshipsProfessional associations and licensesAwards and honorsLicenses and certificatesVolunteer workOther relevant informationTakeawaysWe are all done, now you know what is a CV, and how to get the best out of it.Let’s go through the most important points one last time:A CV is an application document that is most often used for academic or research jobsUnlike a resume, a CV does not have a page limit, and is typically 2-3 pages long, but if you have lots of experience, you can exceed even 10 pagesA CV shares the same purpose as a CV, and can include the same sections, but you should never try to cut out information to shorten it, as you would do with a resumeDon’t forget that a CV means different things in US and Europe. The European CV is similar to the format we call a resume in the USNow that you know all that, you are good and ready to start writing your own CV.
24 Best Curriculum Vitae (CV) Tips for 2024 [Tricks, Advice, Help]
If you want to grab the hiring manager’s attention and get your next job in no time, you will need to create a really compelling CV. But that’s easier said than done. Every job position you apply for has different requirements not only for your qualifications, but also for your CV design to be noticed. And while your CVs get outdated, and you have to update them regularly, there are some tips that are always relevant for any CV you would like to write. In this article, we are going to explore the 24 most important tips you need to remember and use in order to get the best results. So let’s not waste any more time and jump right into it. CV Tips1. Tailor your CV to every job you apply for Even though your work experience and skills does not change when you are writing your CV, your CV should change depending on the role you are applying for. You need to highlight different strengths, and really show the hiring manager that you know what job you are applying for and that you are qualified enough to take it. A one size fits all kind of CV would not only get you the job, but it would most probably not even get you an interview. So make sure you read carefully the job description and get the best of all the qualifications and history you have. 2. Show your passion Nowadays, the competition for every open job position out there is greater than ever. There are hundreds of candidates for each job opening, and having all the right qualifications is no longer enough to get it. That’s why you need to show your potential employer that you are not only qualified, but you also have passion for what you do. If you have no experience, you can briefly explain that in your CV objective. But overall, the best way to go is to list relevant side projects, and show in detail your passion for the job. 3. Be specific and show your impact You have most definitely heard that tip before, but what does it really mean? Basically, what it is trying to tell you is that you should ensure every bullet in your work experience section answers the question “What was the result of my work?”. A while ago, these bullet lists were used mostly for responsibilities for every job position you have held, but in today’s competitive job market, you need to focus much more on achievements. As much as 3-5 bullet points per job entry would do the trick, but you need to make them count. To get the best result, you need to do three simple things: Start each bullet point with an action verbUse some kind of metrics to explain your impactExplain what actions you took to achieve that impact 4. Be confident Your CV’s main goal is to present your professional experience in the best possible light for the hiring managers. But if you want to get the best results, you need to show some real confidence in your experience and achievements. Even though your CV is a professional document, it should still balance between the professional (experience, education, projects, skills, etc.) and the personal (passions, most proud of, life philosophy). 5. Proofread One of the most important things you need to do before you send out your CV is checking it for any mistakes. In today’s competitive job market, hiring managers use every chance they have to downsize the stack of CVs they have. You would not want to be dismissed just because you did not want to spend some time proofreading. If you want to be extra careful (and you should be), you can ask a friend or a family member to proofread it for you as well, as they might spot some errors that you have missed. 6. Use keywords and power wordsThese two kinds of words are the most important step from tailoring your CV for the role you are applying for.The keywords are most commonly skills that you find on the job description, and include in your CV to emphasize that you are a suited candidate for the job.On the other hand, the power words are what makes keywords really stick out, when they are read by the hiring manager.Power words emphasize your chosen keywords, and simultaneously tell a story of your greatest work-related achievements.7. Use a professional email addressYour CV should present you as a professional, and using anything less for your email address, can only backfire.What you need to do is sign up for a well-accepted email provider, like Gmail, and use your first and last name in your email address. The best way to go is “firstname.lastname@gmail.com”.8. Provide proof and use hard numbersOne of the most impactful things on your CV are your achievements. But just putting them alone won’t do the trick, you need to provide some proof.And what is more eye-catching for the hiring manager than numbers.You need to find a way to quantify your achievements and use hard numbers to really impress the hiring managers.A great habit to develop as early as possible is keeping track of your work, so that you would find it easy to implement this tip into your CV.9. Make every section countYou might feel proud of all your experience, achievements and skills, but you need to remember that your CV should be at all times relevant to the job position you are applying for.Furthermore, it should not be too long, as hiring managers have very limited time to go through hundreds of CVs.If you want to increase your chances, make sure you cut out any irrelevant entries, or even whole sections.The first thing you should consider leaving out is any old job experience that is no longer relevant, and you have gained a much more valuable one since then.10. Use reverse chronological orderWhile we are on the topic of your work experience section, you should know that all your entries should follow a reverse chronological order.That means that your most recent entries should come at the top of the page, and the oldest one should go to the bottom.That’s the format hiring managers expect on your work experience section, and if you provide them anything else, you might be dismissed before they have even started reading.11. Name your file properlyYour CV name is the first thing a hiring manager would see before opening it up. And if the name of your file seems unprofessional, or in any way off-putting, it may never be opened.What you need to include in the file name is:Your first and last nameThe type of the document (in this case – CV)The position you are applying for (optional)Furthermore, if you also send out a cover letter with your CV, it would be easier for the hiring manager to connect the two documents with you, and your hard work would not be in vain.12. Use the right file formatYour file format is of great importance as well. You need to follow any instructions of file format that were listed in the job description, or your CV might again not be opened.However, if there are no requirements about the file format, you should absolutely save your CV as PDF. This way you ensure that all your formatting would be preserved, and your CV would look its best.13. List your contact information correctlyNo matter how impressive your experience, skills, and qualifications are, that would not matter at all, if your contact information is incorrect.You need to carefully double-check it every time, so that you would be sure it is up-to-date, and any hiring manager would be able to contact you.14. Don’t mention personal detailsWe already mentioned that it is great to balance the professional and the personal on your CV. But make no mistake, that does not mean any personal details have a place in your CV.Any of the following personal details should at all times be omitted:Full addressDate of birthMarital statusSocial security numberGenderSexual orientationReligious beliefsPolitical affiliation15. List all the right skillsWhenever you are writing a CV, it is important to make it all relevant. That specifically applies to your skill set.To make the choosing process for your CV skills easier, it is a great idea to scan the job listing.That’s the place where you can find all the required skills for the position, and you can start tailoring your CV with those which you possess.16. Use the right font size When listing all your greatest accomplishments, skills and work history, you need to consider one important thing – the hiring manager should be able to read it easily.That’s why font size might be more critical than you think.Luckily, there are just two rules here to make your CV look its best:Use between 14-16pt for sections’ titlesUse 10-12pt for all other text in your CVThere is one exception, though, that you should not forget – your name should at all times be the biggest text in your CV.17. Choose a professional font But font is not all about size, you need to use a professional one, or the size would be of no importance.In this case, the simpler – the better.Consider one of the most common fonts:Times New RomanArialCalibriGeorgia18. Don’t talk about money No matter how much passion you have shown for the job, if you start talking about money on your CV, you have negated any advantage that you might have had.Talking about money on your CV would make any hiring manager think that you are only in it for the money, and that’s not what they are looking for.There is a time and place to talk about money, and it is during your interview, once you play your hand right with your CV.19. Be truthfulWhen you really want a job, you might be tempted to exaggerate the truth, but that is the worst thing you can do.It is part of the job of the hiring managers to spot these exaggerations and lies, and even if you pass on to the interview, you will either be caught in a lie right then, or early on in your job.Either way, you would risk damaging your reputation, or even facing legal charges in some cases.So it’s best to stay truthful, and show them why you really are a great candidate for the job.20. Create a compelling cover letterA great way to compliment your CV is attaching a cover letter to it, and really making your application strong.While your CV is all about your professional qualifications, the cover letter provides a more personal touch, and introduces your character to the hiring manager.It is also a great way to emphasize even more on your most important and relevant skills throughout some more in-depth examples of your work.21. Make sure you have enough white space You have somewhat limited space to work with in your CV, so you should make every square inch count.But make no mistake, if you go too far, you would only get a crumbled mess, that no hiring manager would want to read, or even scan.Make sure you have margins on all sides of your CV, and add 1.0-1.15 line spacing between text to get the best results.Also, don’t forget that bullet lists instead of paragraphs is a great way to save some space and make your CV more visually appealing.22. Make it ATS-friendlyMore and more companies use some sorts of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to help them with pre-selection of candidates.That’s where keywords are really essential, as that software scans for the most important ones for every position, so make sure you take a hard look at the job listing and get the best out of it.Furthermore, you should stay away from any complicated graphs and images for important information in your CV, as ATS often can’t process that information, and your CV might get dismissed.23. Avoid jargon/clichés Last but not least, you should really be careful what words you write on your CV. Usually hiring managers cringe when seeing clichés, so if you have any, you should remove them.Another way to go is with keeping them, but then you need to make sure they serve some purpose.They should make you look better in the eyes of the hiring manager, and for that purpose, you should back them up with some examples and proof.24. Use our CV Builder If all these tips sound too intimidating, you are in luck, we have saved the best tip for last.To get the best result, you need a greatly formatted, eye-catching CV, and that is just what we can help you build with our CV Builder.Try it out, and make a great CV in no time.TakeawaysWe are all done, now you know all the important tips that you need to make your CV great.Read them carefully as many times as needed, time should be of no concern when it comes to getting your dream job.And once done, start writing your next CV, that would get you all the interviews you have desired.
CV Design: 3 Unique Curriculum Vitae Designs for 2024
Your CV is all about presenting yourself in the best possible light in front of the hiring manager. But if you want to get the job done, your work experience, achievements, and skills would not be enough. Nowadays, hiring managers go through hundreds of CVs on a daily basis, so they don’t have time to be impressed by all your information in the 7 seconds they spent scanning it. To get their attention and make them read all your qualifications and accomplishments, you need to grab them with a great CV design. A great CV design can really set you apart from the competition, and increase your chances of getting the job you want. In this article, we are going to explore all things important about your CV design, how you can optimize it, and we are going to show you 3 unique CV design examples from Enhancv. If you struggle with creating your CV, you should definitely check out our CV Builder which will help you create a unique CV in no time. But if you are ready to focus on improving your CV design, stick around. CV design tipsAdd an eye-catching border A great way to catch the hiring manager’s attention before they have even started reading is adding in a border to your CV. Most of the candidates would probably go for a light gray or a dark blue border, which would only make you disappear in the pile of CVs with the same design. However, adding an interesting border can really help your CV stand out from the crowd, and at the same time show off a bit of your personality to the hiring manager. A thing to be careful about here is to not overdo it. The best way to go is with a flat color, simple texture, or muted pattern in your border. After all, you would not want to distract the hiring manager from what is really important – the information in your CV. Choose a great font Use one or two modern, professional fonts to establish a clear hierarchy and maximize readability. Be sure to use a consistent size of 10-12pt for body text and 14-16pt for headings When you choose a font, you should know what each font type represents: Serif fonts – they are often associated with professional settingsSans serif fonts – much more clear and modern in their appearance, a great choice if you are creative or design-orientedScript – rarely used, but if you are fun, warm, relaxed, or easy-going, it can really work for youThin – if you’d like a text to not stand out, this is the right one. A great choice if you are more reserved, quiet, or calmBlocky – if you want a text to really stand out, like your name and contact information, that’s the way to go. A great font for you if you are extroverted, outgoing, or expressive Take your time and look through your CV and figure out which time of font is most suited for each part of your CV. Make your contact information visually appealing Your contact information is one of the most important elements in your CV, so you need to make sure it is easy-to-find and it grabs the hiring manager’s attention. It should at all times be on the top of your CV, and have some elements that are visually appealing. To do this right, you need to: Use icons – simple ones would do just fine, but make sure you add icons, instead of writing “Phone:”, “Email:”, etc.Use white space – you would not want to stack your contact details too close to each other, as it would lose their visual valueUse color – one of the simplest ways to draw the hiring manager’s attention toward your contact information is by using a background color to highlight it Use infographics when appropriate Infographics are a great way to take your CV to the next level, or fill up your CV’s page with visually appealing information, if you still lack experience. A combination of data visualizations and icons can make your CV eye-catching for the hiring manager and considerably improve your chances of getting an interview. Infographics can be found in many forms, the most common of which are: Timelines to outline education, work experience, volunteering, etc.Bar charts to explain the level of proficiency in your most essential skills“My time” pie chart, which you can find in our CV builder, and is a great way to show your time managementStick to a consistent color palette throughout your CV designWe already mentioned that color can be a great way to improve your CV and make it more visually appealing.But that only applies if you know how to do it right.In this case, consistency is key, and you need to make sure that the color palette used throughout your CV is consistent.That does not mean that you should make it just one color, but make sure all colors you have used are working well with each other.Follow industry normsAll these design tips are good, as long as you know when to use which.Before you start applying every tip to your CV, you need to consider the industry you are applying for and carefully determine where the limit for your design is.But no matter the industry, you need to be cautious of how much you tweak your CV. If you overdo it, there is a chance you will turn off your potential employer.Use the right file typeLast but not least, save your CV in the right file type. The best one for the job is PDF, as it will preserve all your design just the way you want it.Make sure you also name your file correctly, so that it would be easy for the hiring manager to know what exactly they are about to open.The best way to go is to include your name and document type, for example “JohnDoeCV.PDF” .However, if the job listing states that another file type is required, you should follow that instruction.3 unique CV design examples from EnhancvAnd now, as promised, we have some unique CV design examples from Enhancv. Check them out and see everything we talked about above in practice.TakeawaysWe are all done, now you know how to design your CV just right to grab the hiring manager’s attention.Let’s go through it all one last time really quick, you need to:Add an eye-catching border, using simple elements so that they don’t take the focus away from your CVChoose a great font, and don’t hesitate to use more than one, if you find it appropriateMake your contact information visually appealing by using icons, and adding the right amount of white space, as well as some background color to highlight itUse infographics to highlight all the important elements in your CV in a visually appealing wayMake sure the colors you use throughout your CV work well with each otherSave your file as PDF, as it will preserve all your design just the way you want it (unless the job listing specifies another file type, in which case, you should follow the instructions)Don’t forget to follow the industry norms, as not all design tips are applicable in every situation, you should consider where the limit is for each industry.Take one last look at our unique examples from Enhancv, and improve your CV design in no time.
© 2024. All rights reserved.
Made with love by people who care.