The best CV/Resumes provide a well-rounded, concise snapshot of a candidate’s qualifications, focusing on relevance to the job while showcasing achievements.
Here's an idea of what you can inlcude to make a great impact:
Contact Information: Clearly list your full name, phone number, professional email, and LinkedIn profile or personal website (if relevant). Make sure your contact info is easy to find at the top.
Professional Summary: A short, impactful paragraph (2-4 sentences) summarizing your professional background, key skills, and value proposition. This section should be tailored to the job you are applying for, emphasizing your experience and what makes you a great candidate.
Core Competencies/Skills: A list of relevant skills, both hard (technical) and soft (communication, leadership). Group them logically, such as “Technical Skills” or “Leadership Abilities,” ensuring alignment with the job description.
Work Experience: This is the most critical section. For each role:
- Job title
- Company name and location
- Dates of employment (month/year format)
- Bullet points describing responsibilities and key achievements Use quantifiable results (e.g., “Increased customer retention by 25% through a new CRM strategy”). Focus on results, action verbs, and relevant accomplishments. Highlight promotions or progressive responsibilities.
Education: Include your highest degree, major, institution, and graduation date. If applicable, mention academic honors, relevant coursework, or study abroad programs. If you are still early in your career, list education above work experience.
Certifications & Licenses: List any professional certifications, licenses, or specialized training that are relevant to the job.
Awards & Accomplishments: Briefly include any notable awards or recognitions, such as "Employee of the Month" or industry-specific accolades.
Projects (if relevant): Include a section for key personal or professional projects, especially if they are relevant to the role. Mention the project goal, your role, and the outcome.
Keywords: Incorporate keywords from the job description to optimize your CV/Resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
The CV/Resume should be easy to read, free of jargon, and focused on showcasing what makes you the best fit for the role. Tailoring each CV/Resume to the specific job is key to making it stand out.