How to write a CV in 9 SIMPLE steps

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Whether you are writing your first CV or improving the CV that you have already written: Below you will find 9 easy-to-follow steps for writing a perfect CV, covering everything from personal details to the final references section.

Each section contains writing guidelines, a completed example + useful tips.

Key points:

• Curriculum Vitae (commonly abbreviated, of course, to CV) is the Latin expression for “the course of one’s life”
• The best way to look at a CV is to see it as a ‘marketing tool’ or a ‘sales brochure’ where you sell your skills, qualities, expertise and potential to a prospective employer
• As a general rule, the length of a CV should be no longer than 2 A4 pages

Getting started…

Step 1: Personal details

Step 2: Personal profile statement

Step 3: Achievements

Step 4: Education

Step 5: Employment

Step 6: Qualifications

Step 7: Skills

Step 8: Hobbies

Step 9: References

Step 1: Personal Details

Guidelines:

The personal details section is located right at the top of your CV and it is the first thing that a prospective employer will see.

This section must contain the following information in chronological order:

• Your name: written in big bold letters and centred on the page
• Your contact details: address, mobile number and e-mail address

Tips:

• Do not write “Curriculum Vitae” at the top of your CV
• Avoid unprofessional e-mail addresses (e.g. darknight007@live.com)
• Do not include the prefix “address:” before the actual address
• Avoid including optional details such as your date of birth, gender, marital status, nationality, etc. unless there is a benefit of including such information

Step 2: Personal Profile Statement

Guidelines:

A personal profile statement is the second part of your CV, and it is a short statement that tells the prospective employer about the personal skills and qualities that you possess, the experiences that you have, and your career goals and ambitions.

When writing your personal profile, ensure it is:

• Short (no more than 5 lines);
• Relevant to the job you are applying for, and;
• Contains some real-world examples.
• personal-profile-statement-cv

Good example:

I am a creative, imaginative and resilient Copywriter with a talent for developing effective written materials including, but not limited to, corporate web content, emails, press releases, newsletter articles, blog posts and social-networking site posts. My 1st Class Hons Degree in Advertising and my extensive experience in this field is a testament to the passion and drive I have to succeed in this competitive industry.

Tips:

• Your personal statement needs to be punchy and should outline your personal characteristics as they relate to the role you are applying for
• Don’t be humble, be confident and write only positive things about yourself
• Do not mention any vague clichés such as “excellent communication skills” or “I can work well in a team and on my own initiative” WITHOUT giving real-world examples of these skills and abilities

Step 3: Achievements

Guidelines:

Including a list of achievements on your CV is an excellent way of making your CV stand out from the crowd. Research has shown that the applicants with achievement-focused CVs are three times more likely to be shortlisted for an interview compared to candidates with duties-focused CVs!

What types of achievements should you include in this section? Well, any accomplishments that portray you in a positive light are worth considering, including:

• Awards won
• Promotions
• Trained or educated others
• Completed important projects on time and within budget
• Increased sales figures (by such-and-such %)
• Saved time by coming up with efficient methods and tools
• Qualifications gained
• Good results in examinations and tests
• Leader/captain/manager in some club or organisation
• Anticipated in the organisation of fun fairs, open days, etc.
• achievements-of-cv

Good example:

• Over two years of relevant work experience in the field
• 2:1 degree in Business Management from the University of London
• Student Ambassador (2 Open Days), Bexley College\

Tips:

• Only include relevant accomplishments in this section
• Do not include more than three items under this section
• Only use bullet points and short sentences, not long paragraphs
• This section is optional; if you feel that you haven’t got something useful to include here you can simply omit it and go straight to the education and training section