Essential CV Writing Guidelines: Key Dos and Don’ts Every Applicant Must Keep in Mind
with practical examples.
In today’s competitive job market, a well-crafted CV (Curriculum Vitae) can be your ticket to standing out from the crowd and securing that dream job. Your CV serves as your first impression on potential employers, showcasing your skills, experiences, and qualifications.
However, the art of CV writing is not as simple as listing your accomplishments — it’s about strategically presenting your professional journey to make a lasting impact.
In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the essential dos and don’ts of CV writing that every aspiring applicant should heed. By understanding the intricacies of this art, you’ll be equipped with the tools to create a compelling CV that grabs attention, communicates effectively, and elevates your chances of landing that coveted position.”
Here are some common mistakes applicants should avoid in their CVs:
- Create a separate CV for each job application. Your CV should be tailored to the role you’re applying for and, sometimes, the sector. For instance, a graphic designer’s CV differs from a freelance writer's.
- Avoid using the following date formats: ‘8/23’, ‘1–12 months.’ Use the month and year as follows: January 2022–December 2022
- Do not include a headshot photo in your CV. It immediately turns the recruiter off.
- Check for spelling and grammar errors. It is preferable to print it out and read it before mailing it. When it’s printed, you notice so much more.
- On your CV, avoid utilizing vivid graphics, sophisticated or illegible fonts, and watermarks. Times New Roman and Calibre fonts, in sizes 11 or 12, with 1.5 spacing, are most acceptable.
- Always put your best self first. If getting your Master’s degree at Cambridge is your best self, put it first. If interning at Ernest and Young is your next best activity, present it first. Can I also take this time to remind you that adding your primary school education is entirely incorrect?
- Obscurely include your home address on your CV.
Please be security-conscious. E.g., you can write Peju-Kelani Estate, Ota, Ogun State, rather than № 5 Peju-Kelani Estate, Ota, Ogun State. - Recognize the distinction between a career objective and a career summary. In a CV, these two are frequently mixed.
A career objective is a brief statement included at the top of a resume that describes the applicant’s key professional goals and how they relate to the job they are applying for.
Example: A position as a marketing executive that allows me to fully utilize my marketing campaign creation skills gained from the 7 years of creating and implementing all the marketing strategies within my own online store. (Source: Indeed career guide)
A career summary in a CV is a brief professional introduction that emphasizes an applicant most significant professional accomplishments and most useful talents. Its objective is to provide a quick way for a potential employer to determine whether the applicant has the necessary skills and expertise for that specific post.
Example: A focused and professional sales representative with experience in the retail and real estate sectors. Able to properly follow company procedures and effectively use all the resources at my disposal, as proven by recommendation letters from previous employers. Fully dedicated to the position and willing to work overtime and weekends. (Source: Indeed career guide)
A career summary examines the applicant’s professional history and highlights the most relevant accomplishments to the job they’re looking for. Career objectives, on the other hand, look ahead and highlight the applicant’s professional ambitions that are relevant to the position.
People with few professional accomplishments, those just starting their careers, or those looking to change careers generally use career objectives. Career summaries are more commonly utilized by those with more experience in a specific position.
9. List your employment history from most recent to oldest, i.e., your most recent or current position.
10. Stop using your family members (especially those with the same family name) as references. Use a colleague at work, a lecturer from school, a client, or a customer. Someone who knows the credibility of your work or has worked with you before.
11. Stop using star ratings to measure your skills. It is unprofessional to rate your skills with numbers, grades, shapes, etc. You can use terms like proficient, intermediate, and beginner to describe your skill level. Although I won’t advise rating any skill below intermediate.
12. Feel free to add your CGPA if it’s something you are proud of.
13. Be detailed about your experience. What you did/do, your accomplishments (no one is too minor), your awards, your collaborations, and so on. List as many specifics about your employment responsibilities as you can.
14. Avoid stating multiple duties you performed while holding a specific position; less is more in this scenario. It is best to include tasks you have accomplished similar to those required for the position you are applying for.
15. If you haven’t worked for a variety of companies for more than 10–15 years, your CV should be no more than two and a half pages. Don’t let the number of work duties accomplished at previous companies lengthen your CV.
16. Don’t add your socials to your CV if your activity on them may diminish your chances of being contacted for an interview.
I hope you found this article useful and will put it to good use.
For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above — spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].
Ephesians 2:10 AMP
Need help crafting a polished and professional CV and cover letter, as well as optimizing your LinkedIn page, to attract recruiters’ attention and land an interview? Send me a message and I’ll help get you that job.
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