Do’s And Don’t’s For Writing A Good CV Article

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Do’s and Don’t’s for writing a good CV

Recently, a recruitment advertisement caught your attention. It was a job you’d been waiting for. And the job profile seemed to match your skills and experience perfectly. Whistling a tune, you applied for the job and imagined the phone would ring the next instant. But it didn’t. Not the next day; in fact not at all. This may have happened to you or someone you know. But what went wrong? The answer invariably lies in a very important piece of paper which decides your chance of landing your next big break. It’s called a CV. The right CV will almost always ensure the phone is going to ring.

Author: James Walsh

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Millions of CVs but Only One Job

It’s a competitive world. Remember - if you’ve spotted that advertisement, so have a million others. And time is money, which means you need to attract the attention of your really busy employer, really fast. A well written, comprehensive CV should advertise you, the way the recruitment ad advertised the job. If you were a brand, your CV would tell your employer –“who am I, why buy me” in the shortest possible time. Advertise yourself.

Get the Basics Right

While being unique may work in some industries, there are others who prefer clarity to creativity. There are some tried and tested methods for writing CVs which can’t go wrong. In other words, the classic rules, the dos and don’ts.

Dos:

Always use a standard A4 white sheet to print your CV.

Print only on one side of the paper.

Type your resume with enough spacing between lines. Neatness is always appealing.

Start with your contact information such as your name, phone number, address and e-mail address.

The objective should be tailored to suit the job requirement. Keep it short and specific. This is the first sentence on a CV and has to be engaging and relevant at the same time. Otherwise you may have already lost the job!

List your experience in reverse chronological order. Always mention the month, year and position held at each job instead of vague statements like ‘worked as team leader for two years’. This way, employers can detect break periods in between jobs.

Go the whole hog to elaborate your achievements at work. It’s the only way your resume will stand out among hundred others. List the awards you have won, mentioning the context and awarding body. Modesty doesn’t help here!

Include samples of work along with your resume, where applicable. For instance, if you’re applying for the position of content writer, you can mention the URL of the relevant blog/ websites.

List your educational background in a reverse chronological order. Include details of certified professional courses you may have completed such as ‘Microsoft Certified Trainer’, etc.

Have atleast two references ready, but make sure you obtain their permission first.

Don’ts:

Avoid using colourful fonts and designs. Use a font that looks more professional than fancy.

Do not keep the CV too short or too long. Three to four pages is ideal.

Avoid grammatical and spelling errors. Correct grammar and punctuation not only emphasize your writing skills but indicate your level of interest in the job and attention to detail.

Avoid the Objective statement if you’re not sure what the company is really looking for. It could limit your opportunities.

Never use a standard CV for all applications. You may need to adapt your CV depending on the job. For example, while you may have experience in project management as well as training, you would need to elaborate on your training expertise when applying for a training position.

Don’t forget to ask someone to proof-read your CV. They may spot mistakes which you’ve overlooked.

Finally, do not hesitate to get assistance if you feel limited by your writing abilities. There are a lot of sites that offer assistance in writing CVs. It could be worth the investment.

About Author

James Walsh is a freelance writer and copy editor. If you are thinking of applying for a new job or embarking on a new career, having a high quality CV is essential, for more information and professional guidance, see http://www.my-cv.net

Article Source: http://www.1888articles.com/author-james-walsh-2417.html

Do’s and Don’t’s for writing a good CV