how to write a great cv

Understanding What Makes a Great CV

In today's competitive job market, having an exceptional CV is crucial. A well-crafted CV can be the difference between landing an interview and being overlooked. This guide will walk you through practical steps to create a CV that grabs attention and showcases your qualifications effectively.

Step 1: Start with a Strong Structure

A clear structure makes your CV easy to read and understand. Here’s a recommended layout:

• Contact Information

  • Name
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • LinkedIn profile (if applicable)

• Professional Summary

  • A brief overview of your career highlights and what you bring to the table.

• Work Experience

  • Job title, company name, location, and dates of employment.
  • Bullet points outlining your responsibilities and achievements.

• Education

  • Degrees obtained, institutions attended, and graduation dates.

• Skills

  • Relevant skills that align with the job description.

• Certifications and Awards (if applicable)

  • Any additional credentials that enhance your qualifications.

Step 2: Tailor Your CV to the Job

Customizing your CV for each job application is vital. Analyze the job description and incorporate keywords and phrases that match the employer's requirements. This not only helps your CV get past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) but also shows the employer that you have the specific skills they are looking for.

Example:

If the job description emphasizes leadership and project management, highlight your relevant experiences:

• Led a team of 5 in a successful project completion, resulting in a 20% increase in efficiency.
• Managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to budget.

Step 3: Use Action Verbs

Strong action verbs can make your CV more impactful. Instead of saying “responsible for,” use words like:

• Achieved
• Developed
• Managed
• Designed
• Implemented

Example:

Instead of saying, "Responsible for overseeing the marketing team," write:

• Managed a marketing team to launch a new product, resulting in a 30% increase in sales.

Step 4: Highlight Achievements, Not Just Duties

Recruiters want to see what you have accomplished in your previous roles. Use quantifiable metrics and specific examples to demonstrate your achievements.

Example:

• Increased website traffic by 50% in six months through targeted digital marketing strategies.
• Reduced operational costs by 15% by implementing new procurement strategies.

Step 5: Keep It Concise

Your CV should ideally be one page, especially if you have less than 10 years of experience. Be selective about the information you include. Focus on the most relevant experience and skills.

Step 6: Proofread and Edit

Typos and grammatical errors can undermine your professionalism. Always proofread your CV or ask someone else to review it for you. Tools like Grammarly can help catch common mistakes.

Step 7: Create Your CV Online

Creating an online CV can enhance your visibility and accessibility to recruiters. cvuno allows you to build a personalized CV website in about 30 seconds from your resume or a short role description, without using templates. Each user gets a unique URL, and the system produces synced downloadable PDFs that are 100% ATS friendly.

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Conclusion

Writing a great CV may seem daunting, but by following these steps, you can create a compelling document that stands out to recruiters. Remember to tailor your CV for each position, use action verbs, and highlight achievements.

Ready to take your CV to the next level? Try cvuno today and create your own professional CV website in no time!