There are rules to CV writing. Adhering to these rules could make all the difference in whether your CV gets a second look or whether it is discarded at a first perusal. Here are some dos and don’ts of CV writing that will guide you on how to write a CV that moves you closer to your goal of getting your dream job.
Keep it Short and Simple
The first of the dos and don’ts of CV writing is structure related. Your sentence structures influence how easy or difficult it would be to read your rèsumè.
Don’t make your CV difficult to read. Don’t use long, complex sentences, as they are more difficult to understand at a glance.
Do: Make your CV short and simple. Go straight to the point. Remember that all you might get is a quick scan. So, make your rèsumè easy to read.
Go from Latest to Earliest
The next on the list of dos and don’ts of CV writing is sequence. There should be a particular order in which you arrange your work experiences and educational qualifications.
Don’t mix up your sequences.
Do: Arrange your experiences from most recent to least recent. Put your latest experience at the top, and your earliest experience at the bottom. Stick to this format throughout the document.
Use Bullet Points
Formatting is another important item on the list of dos and don’ts of CV writing. CVs have a clear style of formatting that should be strictly adhered to.
Don’t format your rèsumè haphazardly. A disorganized rèsumè is likely to get thrown out.
Do: Use bullet points to organize your details. Put your bulleted ideas in action clauses. Bullet points help the readers understand your points as quickly as possible. Ensure that your formatting is tidy and consistent.
Professional CV writers know how best to format your document. They will help you make your document organized.
List Relevant Skills and Certifications
A part of your rèsumè should feature your skills and certifications. However, one of the dos and don’ts of CV writing is that you should know what skills and certifications are relevant and which are not.
Don’t mention all your certifications and take up the much-needed space on your CV.
Do: List only certifications that are relevant to the job in question. Remember that the essence of writing a rèsumè is not to brag, but to show that you are the right candidate for the job.
Don’t Exceed Two Pages
The next one on the dos and don’ts of CV writing to consider is how many pages your rèsumè should be.
The length of your CV can determine if it is read or tossed aside. Have a moderate number of pages that allows you to highlight your qualifications and experience while sustaining the interest of the recruiter.
Don’t write a voluminous rèsumè with lots and lots of pages.
Do: Tailor your rèsumè to suit each job that you are applying for. Make it as concise and abridged as possible, even as you spotlight important aspects of your career journey.
Find the balance between brevity and relevance.
You could also find out what else you need to remove from your rèsumè to trim it to two pages.
Use Keywords
In the past, keywords were not a part of CV writing. However, keywords have become the norm since companies began using rèsumè screening software. Keyword inclusion is one of the dos and don’ts of CV writing to consider.
Don’t skip the important keywords relevant to the job you applied for.
Do: Ensure that you include the keywords that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Find out the keywords that the company is likely to include in its AI screening database. Sprinkle those keywords in suitable places within your rèsumè. Tailor your rèsumè and keywords to suit each job you are applying for.
Place your Contact Details at the Top
Next on the dos and don’ts of CV writing is where to place your contact details.
One of the most important parts of your CV is your contact information. You write your rèsumè hoping to be contacted by the HR Manager or some other executive at the company you are applying to. That is why you include your contact details in your rèsumè.
Don’t fail to provide your email, phone number and other details through which the recruiter can contact you.
Do: Make your contact details easy to spot on your rèsumè. Place the details at the top of your CV, near your name. Get that out of the way before you delve into the many tiny details in the rest of your CV.
List only Necessary Hobbies
The last aspect of the dos and don’ts of CV writing that we will look at is what to include in the hobby section. The hobby section is one of the less important parts of a rèsumè. However, if you decide to include your hobbies in your CV, you should do it the right way.
Don’t let your hobbies take up too much space on your CV.
Do: List a few hobbies that are worth mentioning. Also, list only hobbies that contribute to your overall goal for writing the rèsumè—showing the recruiters that you are the person for the job. For each CV that you write, mention a few of your hobbies that are related to the specified role.
CV writing is a skill. Writing a winning rèsumè is governed by the dos and don’ts of CV writing. If you follow these rules, you have a higher chance of producing a great CV that could land you the job.
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