Writing has become the do it yourself project ever since the increase of ownership and or availability of portable computers. It became easy as one can just sit and type their curriculum vitae. Easy right? Here are some of the things to do and not to do in order to maximize your chances to be shortlisted.
DO’S
Make your cv communicate the right message to your prospective employer.
Yes you have worked here and there doing totally different jobs, its understandable if not normal. However, channel or mould your cv to become relevant to the job you are applying for at hand.
The issue is not to lie about it. It is to remove all the irrelevant information and only focus on only that information which helps you to be hired.
Remember that every job you are to apply for should have a different cv. Here is why…
For every job you apply for, create a different cv. Create a cv that is most suitable for the company at hand. Let’s say you are a finance person and two companies have job offers. One is in the remote areas where a certain language is spoken. If you want that job, your cv to that company should bring out your ability to speak that language( if it’s true) while the other cv does not put the emphasis there.
Arrange your employment history in the order of your latest employment to the furthest date. Employers want to quickly see how you are relevant and current in the working force. Make it easy for them to do that.
Read More: How important is career planning in your profession?
Make your cv short and informative. No one has the whole day and there are a number of people applying for that job also. Bring out the best part of you in the least amount of pages.
Make sure your cv is talking about what you achieved. Most of the cv’s record that so and so was made to do such and such a thing. When you write the duties which you were undertaking at your previous or current job, take the active side not the passive side. For example, customer care is more plausible than assisting customers and answering their requests. Your cv must tell your prospective employer what you have achieved. That’s right, the word is ACHIEVE.
Make it presentable. Whichever font size and page layout you choose, present your details neatly.
DON’TS
Do not lie about your qualifications, work experience or anything. Let them hire you without enough experience or education and you will prove them wrong rather than to embarrass yourself when you cannot perform what you said you will.
In an attempt to make your cv short and straight to the point, do not trim or cut out important information. If you think that information gives you an edge, then do not remove it.
Do not put untraceable references. If they feel it’s a dead-end they will not hire you.
Do not overdo the decorations on your cv…unless of course if it’s an art and design job.
Do not be afraid to assemble your own cv, you may be surprised by the results.