Is this your first time writing a CV and you don’t know what to begin with?
CV, Resume, Professional Profile, Vita, Bio, Career Summary, Professional Summary, Employment Record, Work History, Career Biography, Personal Data Sheet, Work history profile, many names for the same old thing.
A Curriculum Vitae or CV is the fancy (and Latin) name for a detailed document that outlines a person’s educational background, professional experience, skills, and accomplishments. It provides an in-depth look at one’s career and is often used in academic, scientific, and international job applications.
However, it is notably hard to write an appealing CV, especially at the very beginning of our professional lives. It is more than common to, during the high school-college transition, feel like so much has been done but yet there’s nothing to be put in that one blank piece of paper. In this article, however, I will put down important do’s and do not’s that will surely help you build a strong, first-time CV!
But First, a Bit About Me
I’ve spent the last 10 years of my life making and updating my CVs, some things I’ve learned, and some things I’m still learning. But hey, at least I know how to make a CV interesting for someone who’s just starting! Now whether that be a young graduate looking for their first job or a new student looking for a part-time job, one thing all CVs have in common is that they are the little piece of paper that can mean the difference between getting and not getting a call back for an interview.
So here are some do’s and don’ts that I have learned along the way that will revolutionize your CV:
Do: Infuse Personality
Now this is tricky, don’t fall for the trap. Unless you are in an artistic field that requires you to show your creative side, stick to the basic black-and-white, standard format. I suggest the Stanford Graduate School of Business template; it is available online for free.
- Showcase Your Unique Character: Include hobbies or interests related to the job to make your CV memorable. Add a color or max 2 if you’re feeling bold.
- Highlight Your Passions: If relevant, mention passions like running a blog or social media account, especially for roles like marketing.
Don’t: Be a Robot
Believe it or not, showing that there is a real person behind the paper is very important!
- Avoid Generic Designs: Skip the cookie-cutter Canva templates. According to research, more and more companies are using AI to weed through CVs and unfortunately, as pretty as they are, Canva templates don’t make the cut and use the clean, professional layout.
- Ditch the Dry Language: More and more companies are using AI, so make sure to know the best keywords to put in your CV to make it engaging but with a natural tone.
Do: Tailor to Perfection
“You are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is ‘youer’ than you.”
Yes, I’m quoting Suess–but he’s right, you are not your friends, colleagues, or anyone else.
- Highlight Relevant Skills: Align your CV with the job requirements by showcasing pertinent skills and experiences. Sometimes it is not realized, but volunteer work, part-time jobs, summer jobs, and even life experiences are great teachers of both hard and soft skills that can help get that job. Make sure you highlight those skills!
- Use Keywords: Ensure your CV passes ATS filters ( fancy term for AI screening) by including job-specific keywords. Ask your assistant (ChatGPT) to give you those keywords then use the ones that you know are relevant to you. (NO LYING, this is not a creative writing assignment)
Don’t: Spray and Pray
“Sending the same CV to multiple jobs is a recipe for rejection.” That’s what boomers say; Don’t listen to them! These days you cannot spend your time customizing your CV for every single role in every single company.
To give you an example, the keywords for a content manager role won’t be the same as a social media manager role, even if the roles are very similar.
- Strategic Mass Application: Customize each application for the role to show genuine interest and fit. Studies show women only apply to jobs when they’re 100% to 120% qualified, while men apply for them when they’re 60% to 80% qualified. Ladies, let’s have more confidence and apply even if we are not 100% qualified for the position! Believing in yourself is the first step!
- Learn to handle rejection: The job market today is horrendous. Learn to take rejection–you’re bound to get a lot of it even if you’re the best of the best. Kind of like in dating: if this job doesn’t want you, some better one will. Keep your spirits up and keep applying.
Do: Show Off Achievements
Imposter syndrome is a byproduct of systemic oppression for generations. Don’t let that imposter syndrome win. Quantify and highlight your successes to impress potential employers. However, remember to stay humble about it; nobody likes an overboaster!
- Quantify Successes: Use numbers to illustrate your achievements like: “Increased sales by 20%.” Although that doesn’t always make much sense for a part-time job or first job, you can always mention things like being top 10% of your class or your amazing GPA!
- Highlight Milestones: Include awards and major projects to showcase your impact. Did you win a scholarship? Mention it! Did you organize a conference? Mention it! Did you get a special mention on a project? Mention it!
Don’t: Overdo It
Honesty is key.
DO. NOT. LIE.
Under any circumstance.
- Avoid Exaggeration: These recruiters have seen enough applicants to know what people in a certain age group and background are capable of. So don’t try to say you’re an astronaut at age 20, unless you’ve got proof. Recruiters can smell lies a mile away!
- Be Honest: Trustworthiness is valued by employers. Use your words effectively, behave humbly, and be honest.
Additional Tips for Crafting a Professional CV
- Keep It Concise: Aim for a two-page CV at best, focusing on the most relevant and recent experiences.
- Use Action Verbs: Start bullet points with strong verbs like “developed,” “managed,” or “implemented.” (-ing verbs for current job position)
- Proofread: Eliminate typos and grammatical errors to maintain professionalism.
All in all, getting your first CV done can be challenging if done without some nice and useful knowledge! For this reason, I wanted us to leave today with the following takeaways:
- Your CV is your professional story and a glimpse into who you are. Stand out by adding a touch of your unique character!
- A generic, impersonal CV won’t cut. Use your words, and play with font sizes, and formatting; there is a lot you can do even if you don’t make your CV look like a child’s science fair poster.
- Customize your CV to reflect who YOU are, and demonstrate you are the perfect fit for the job you are applying to.
- If you are applying to different roles, make sure you have multiple CVs tailored to each kind of role you are applying for.
- Obviously, brag humbly, since no one likes condescendance. But absolutely do not forget to mention your achievements! (not in LinkedIn language tho)
- Don’t lie. Don’t exaggerate and don’t boast.
Oh, and by the way, don’t forget: different countries and fields have different market standards. Know your ground, and know your field well!
The job market today is horrible, I know. For this reason, keep your hopes up, don’t give up, and do your best! At first, it is hard for us all but I can guarantee one thing is that it all settles once we start! All we need is that first ignition to get us going and I hope this article can serve you well for such a purpose!
Best of luck with your applications 😉