Those who graduated from “the school of thought” can easily understand things said like: perception is reality, or the first impression matters most. These are some mantras they ostensibly live by, and maybe some other school of thought could renounce it, saying a second option would always come around if the aim and time are within scope. In the digital world, for instance, people have built a persona for themselves, appearing to be something farfetched from reality, while this is not the direction of today’s topic, my angle from this is perception has sold far better than reality. Still, on how well perception could opt your chances in life, the importance of having a good CV cannot be over emphasized and how you can create at your convenience.
What is CV?
CV is an acronym for Curriculum vitae which is simply brief information on whom you are and all you identify with. The CV helps tell your story better while identifying key areas in your place of discipline, merits attained, bio-data, and referees where necessary. Since the CV acts as an image of one, it is there tantamount that careful attention is placed in the composition, alignment, structure, and ease for comprehension. In as much as you might intend to wow your reader, it is pertinent to only state information that is true in your CV.
CVs are most seen in Ms Word format, others are seen in PDF [Portable Document Format] just for ensuring the file is not altered.
Types Of CV
To decide which CV style is right for you, you first need to understand them, their differences and when/how to use them. Which format you choose will depend on you and your circumstances, here is a breakdown to point you in the right direction.
Functional (or skills-based CV): This layout consists of a profile, a selection of your skills with explanations of how they are used, and then a list of your jobs without any duties mentioned. Any qualifications or extra information can be listed beneath your career history. Who should use it:
- If you have a lot of jobs that have asked you to use the same skills, this will reduce the repetition in your CV.
- If you want to emphasize your skills, rather than things like gaps in your career history, then a functional format is the way to go.
- If you don’t have much experience in your target sector, or are looking for a change, then this format will enable an employer to see the useful, transferable skills you have, without focusing on your prior experience.
Chronological CV: This is the most common type of CV and the one you are probably used to seeing. It consists of a profile and then lists your career history, detailing responsibilities and achievements for each role.Your education, other information, and professional development are usually listed beneath your career history unless you are a recent graduate and want to highlight your success.Who should use it:
- If you have a consistent career history without any gaps and varied job descriptions, then you will have enough material to make a compelling chronological CV.
- If you have worked in the same sector for a while and want to continue to do so, then this is the best format for you.
- If you have a lot of skills/achievements then it’s best that they are presented in this style, as putting them in a functional format might mean some of them are eliminated or lose context.
Combined CV: This format is a mixture of both a functional and chronological CV. It consists of a profile, a brief skills section (either in a list or matrix format) and then a career history detailing responsibilities and achievements for each role. As with a chronological CV, your education should be placed after your career history unless you are a recent graduate. Who should use it:
- If you work in a sector like IT or engineering and have specific, technical skills, then a combined CV with a matrix showing your skills will work well for you. It highlights your skills without adding repetition into your roles.
- If you have a varied career history without any breaks, it’s a great way to show your transferable skills, without tying you to a specific sector.
How to write a CV
When it comes to formatting your CV, there are four more factors you’ll need to consider:
1. Choose the right font type and size: Your CV should be legible and easy to follow. To improve readability, it’s best to choose a sans-serif font between 10 and 11 points. It should be clean and simple without much detail or decor. Here are several examples of good fonts for your CV: Arial, Avenir, Calibri, Helvetica, Lato, Roboto, Proxima Nova and Verdana.
2. Check your margins: A good rule of thumb is to keep your margins between .5 – 1 inch. Margins that are too large will leave too much white space while margins that are too small can make the page look busy and overfilled. Both may be distracting or off-putting to recruiters and hiring managers.
3. Utilize your space effectively: CVs can become lengthy, especially if you’ve been in your industry for several years and have amassed a great deal of experience. To ensure you’re using space effectively and your CV is easy to read, consider using the following techniques:
- Organize with bulleted lists: Make lists, (such as your collection of skills or awards) easier to consume by adding small bullets.
- Use section headers: Distinguish section headers from the rest of your CV content by making them bolder, larger or underlined.
- Bold keywords: In addition to section headers, consider bolding other important words, such as your name and job titles, to set them apart.
- Remove irrelevant information: Use the limited space on your CV to promote only the most relevant and impressive information about your background. Remove experience older than 15 years and dates from your education section if you have five or more years of professional experience.
4. Proofread: Before you send your CV to employers, take time to carefully check your spelling, grammar and syntax. A clean, error-free CV increases readability and demonstrates professionalism. Recruit a trusted friend, family member or colleague to review your resume. A fresh set of eyes often catches mistakes you may have missed.
In conclusion, a well-composed CV shares all the most essential information employers need when considering you for job opportunities. By making sure your CV is comprehensive, correctly formatted and easy to read, you’re one step closer to landing the job you want.
