Write a killer CV
If you want to get that job interview, you first have to flaunt the best impression of yourself. How do you do that? By sending prospective employers your great CV (Curriculum Vitae). But this is more than just a ramble of your personal information – it shows that you’re the right girl or guy for the job. Here are some tips.
Your CV should contain the following sections:
Personal details
This includes your full name, surname, address, e-mail address and contact numbers.
Education
Mention the school you attended, certificates or achievements you received, and any tertiary education you have. When mentioning your achievements, remember that you should make them relevant to the job you’re applying for. Saying that you are a star debater isn’t going to help your cause much if you’re applying to be a waiter at your local restaurant.
Work experience
Mention any previous jobs that relate to this position you’re applying for and what your tasks were in those past gigs. Did you have responsibilities? What were they? Why were you successful in those jobs? If you don’t have much work experience, even temporary jobs can be mentioned.
Skills
This is where you talk about what makes you great! It helps to bring in some skills from previous jobs that make you a star for this position. For instance, are you skilled at working under pressure (which could be seen in your job as a waiter)? If you don’t have any work experience, think about your skills in a general way. Maybe you have great computer skills, you’re a fast learner, you have great communication skills, or you’re a people person. Ask a friend to help you brainstorm.
References
It’s always a good idea to list some previous employers you worked with, as this can make your accomplishments and skills much more concrete. If you don’t have any working references, you can mention a lecturer or mentor you worked closely with during your studies or internships. But references must be people who were higher up the ladder than you, such as supervisors and managers – not your colleagues.
General rules
- Stick to a simple, clear font like Arial or Times New Roman that’s easy on the eye.
- Always spell-check your CV! Errors just give a bad impression, so ensure you spell-check and grammar check, too. Remember computers aren’t always on the money, so it wouldn’t hurt to let your friend take a read-through!
- Never write in slang. Your CV must be professional.
- Don’t lie! Employers are likely to check with your references, so be careful not to lie. Besides, if you get hired only to be outed as a liar, you could lose your job.