There are many dos and don'ts to consider when making a CV. Your CV can be the key to getting your dream job. They can also open doors for you that provide stepping stones to a career that you will love. Creating a good CV is a craft that is important to nail.
Here are the top dos and don’ts of making a CV.
Do keep it short
CVs are used to showcase you as an employee. They will have your experience in previous work positions, your skills and also other information about you. However, it’s important to keep it concise. Don’t ramble too much about your capabilities or experiences. Try to keep your CV to two pages or two sides of an A4 page.
Do present things in a logical order
Presentation is just as important as information. Hiring managers go through hundreds of CVs and if yours is the sloppiest of the bunch, it won’t look good for you. Be sure to use sufficient spacing and clear section headings. List your work experience, education as well as achievements in reverse chronological order. Use a different colour or bold text for headings and achievements.
Do choose a professional font
Again, presentation is essential. A professional, clear font will also make sure your CV can be easily read and scanned through easily. Think Arial, not Comic Sans.
Do play to your strengths
Use your CV to highlight your strong points. Don’t dedicate the biggest section of your CV to your work experience if you feel that it may hold you back. Instead, rearrange your CV to showcase your education more.
Do use bullet points
Visual aspects such as bullet points can draw attention to certain key points or relevant information. Allowing these points to stand out will make it easier for the hiring manager to find significant points without having to go through all of the information.
Do…
Include your contact details. Use a professional email address. Maintain a consistent format as well as presentation. Ask someone to check over your spelling also grammar mistakes after you have checked.
Don’t be afraid of white space
Once you have included all of the necessary and relevant information, white gaps are your friend. Even if you think it looks quite bare, sometimes less is more on your CV.
Don’t try to include too much
Your CV should reflect on your ability as an employee. However, it shouldn’t be your entire life story. Ensure to tailor your CV to the role you’re applying for. This will allow you to focus on the most important aspects while trimming out the waffle and generalisations.
Don’t include irrelevant information
When tailoring your CV to the role you’re applying for, the following question is crucial. “Will it help me get the role?” is an important question that will help you shave down the parts of your CV that don’t hold any weight. For example, if your hobbies and interests are not relevant to getting to the job, it could be best to leave them out.
Don’t forget your cover letter
This is an easy mistake to make. However, having a cover letter is an important element of your application. It will help you to reinforce why you are the perfect candidate for the role. Even if the job advertisement does not state that you need one, include one anyway. It will sell you and your capability even further.
Don’t experiment with size
If your CV is too short, do not try to make it longer by using a bigger font size. If your CV is too long, do not try to make it shorter by using a smaller one. Unfortunately, these things will not go unnoticed.
Don’t…
Use crazy colours or fonts. Include unnecessary references. Include an inappropriate photo.
Can you think of more dos and don'ts of making a CV? Let us know down in the comments! Next, check out this guide on how to nail your CV!
