How to write an attractive CV

CV is a tool that helps bring an opportunity for you to pass to the next stage of recruitment when applying for a job. Most employers do not spend much time scanning each CV before sending it in the “Yes” or “No” pile.

Here are the tips of how to write an effective CV that will secure the all-important interview.

How long should a CV be?

A CV for a job should be between one and three pages long, depending on your professional experience, career level, and skills. However, one-page CVs are most common.

What should be included in a CV?

Contact details: Include your full name, address, phone number and email address.

Education: Include the name of your school, location, the degree you obtained (if applicable), the field of study, graduation year, and any relevant honors or academic recognition, coursework, activities, or other achievements obtained during your education

Professional experience: Include the company where you worked, the job title, the dates you were employed, and a summary of your experience.

Qualifications and skills: This part of CV is where you talk about the foreign languages you speak and the IT packages you can competently use. The key skills that you list should be relevant to the job.

Skills and Achievements: This is where you talk about the foreign languages you speak and the IT packages you can competently use. The key skills that you list should be relevant to the job.

References: You can put “references available upon request” for reference section. You do not need to provide the names of referees on the CV.

CV format

Avoid putting “CV” as a title of the document.
It’s a waste of space. Instead, let your name serve as the title.

Section headings
Section headings are often used to break up your CV. Ensure they stand out by making them a little bit larger and bold.

Avoid fonts such as Comic Sans.
Choose something clear and easy to read and professional such Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman. Use a font size between 10 and 12 to make sure that potential employers can read your CV.

List everything in reverse chronological order.
This way the employer sees your work history and most recent achievements first.

Keep it concise by using clear spacing and bullet points.
This will allow employers to skim your CV and see important information first.

Name the document when saving
Ensure the title of the document is professional and identifies you, such as ‘Chris-Williams-CV’.

Save with a . PDF file extension to make sure it can be opened and read on any platform.

Proofread

Take time to carefully check your spelling, grammar, and syntax. A clean, error-free CV increases readability and demonstrates professionalism. You may ask your trusted friend to review your CV and provide feedback. A well-written one should be comprehensive, correctly formatted, and easy to read.

However, a standard CV is not suitable for all jobs. A CV must highlight skills that match the employer’s needs.

Additional tips for those who are working in Technology or IT industry

A technical CV or an IT CV can be used to apply for positions such as web developer, IT consultant, software tester, or applications developer.

In an introductory paragraph, you should mention technical expertise and experience. Ensure that you highlight relevant skills first. You should also bear in mind that the document will need to be understood by non-technical people such as HR managers.

At RentSpree, We’re Hiring!

After updating your CV, you may also want to check out our opening jobs. We’re now hiring both IT and non-IT positions. Please visit our career site: https://www.rentspree.com/careers

I look forward to seeing your professional CV ;)