Did you know that there is an average of 118 people applying for the same role for any given position? However, only around 35% of candidates get interviewed. Again, nearly one-quarter (about 24%) of hiring managers spend less than 30 seconds looking at a resume.
When it comes to job hunting, your curriculum vitae is the ticket to get you that initial foot in the door and secure an interview. So, how to ensure your CV gets added to the interview pile rather than being thrown straight in the bin?
Your CV, along with your cover letter, is what a potential employer uses to make their first judgment of you. Therefore, it must demonstrate that you possess most or all of the criteria required for the position. Also, the curriculum vitae must get past any applicant tracking systems (ATS) that identify suitable candidates based on relevant keywords.
So, if you are wondering how to craft the perfect resume that leads to interviews callbacks, you have landed on the right page!
In today’s well-detailed guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know to craft a strong CV to land ample job interviews in 2021 and beyond.
Writing The Perfect CV: Know What It Must Include
While the structure of curriculum vitae is flexible, there are certain sectors that the employers will want to see on your CV regardless. Here are certain crucial sectors to include in the CV-
- Contact Details
Make sure to include your full name, home address, mobile number, and email address. The date of birth is irrelevant unless you are applying for an acting or modelling job.
- Education and Qualifications
Create a list and date all the previous education, incorporating your qualifications. Place the most current one first. Then, list out all the qualification types/grades and the dates.
- Work Experience
In the words of the top minds of the CV and College coursework help services, it is crucial to list all your work experience in reverse date order. Incorporate your job title, the company name, tenure in the organization, and key responsibilities relevant to the job you are applying for.
- Skills and Achievements
This is where you talk about foreign languages you speak and the IT packages you can use competently. Remember to list only those skills that are relevant to the job.
- Interests
‘Reading’ and ‘Socializing’ aren’t going to hook your recruiter’s attention. Instead, try including interests like writing a blog if you aim to become a journalist or participating in climate change activism if you like an environmental job.
- References
There is no need to write the names of referees at this stage. Instead, you can say ‘references available upon request.’ If you are stuck for space, you can also leave this section.
Brilliant CV Writing Tips You Must Follow Today
- Look For Keywords In The Job Postings
Before you craft the perfect CV, remember to read the job posting that interests you carefully. Study each job description for keywords that demonstrates what the employer is looking for in an ideal candidate. Then, incorporate those keywords in your CV where relevant.
Pay special attention to anything listed in the sections labelled as ‘Qualifications’ or ‘Requirements.’ If you have the essential skills that the employers are looking for, remember to add the same terms to your CV in the skill or experience segment.
- A Professional Font Will Take You A Long Way
If you want your CV to look professional, use a simple font, like basic Arial or Times New Roman in size 10 to 12. Make it a point to ensure that there are no white spaces. Too much white space might make your resume look sparse, distracting the audience and possibly raising a red flag.
- Incorporate Only The Relevant Information
Nearly half of all CVs that are more than two pages are discarded. So, keep your CV concise without leaving out the main information. Hiring managers do not spend much time reading each CV.
Try to incorporate only accomplishments, work experience, education, and skills relevant to the employer. It is significant to prioritize the vital information higher on your CV to draw attention to key skills and accomplishments.
- Always Tell The Truth
An astonishing 85% of people lie while writing their CVs. Do not be one of them. Undeniably, it can be tempting to over-polish your CV and make your educational qualifications sound a little better than they are. However, if you are also tempted to stretch the truth about your work history, don’t. It will only come back to haunt you.
Most recruiters conduct background and reference checks. If your CV fails to match your actual educational qualifications or work history, you will most likely get caught at some point. Then, either you will be cut as a candidate, or it will tarnish your reputation. You simply do not want that.
- Pay Attention To Significant Accomplishments
Rather than listing your job duties under the experience section, try choosing your top three to four most significant achievements in each job role you had. If possible, incorporate numbers that measure your success for that specific goal or achievement.
Consider including a separate ‘Skills’ or ‘Accomplishment’ section to highlight the relevant accomplishments in your education, career, volunteer work, or other experiences.
- Presentation Is The Key
In the modern world, the image is considered to be everything, and that applies to your CV too. So invest adequate time to pretty it up. Remember to use bullet points. Keep the sentences short. You can also implement the graphic design trick of leaving ample white space around the text and between categories to make the layout easy on the eye. So get creative with your job application.
- Edit With A Fine-Tooth Comb
The last thing you want is your hiring manager spotting mistakes in your CV.
Before sending in the CV, it is essential to undergo multiple rounds of proofreading to ensure there are no spelling mistakes, grammar errors, or typos. To ensure you are putting your best foot forward, try taking the help of remarkable proofreading software. You can also ask trusted friends or peers to review your CV. It is helpful for a third party to look at your CV to find ways you can rectify or improve it.
Final Thoughts
The workplace is like a jungle where only the strongest ones thrive and survive. As a result, only 5 out of 250 applicants secure a face-to-face interview.
Crafting your CV isn’t something you must approach haphazardly, especially for these reasons. Also, remember, the CV is not one size that will fit all garments. Ensure you tailor it for your amazing opportunities and highlight the compelling information towards the top section. Strike the iron while it’s still hot to secure interviews. After all, you have got more than hundreds of applications to beat!
Author Bio
William Smith is a career expert with a solid background in the education management industry. She is also a proud member of Allessaywriter.com for 10+ years now, where she is popular for her quality research paper help services.
