Writing a good CV

A CV (curriculum vitae, which is about your career and qualifications) is of vital importance if you wish to present yourself successfully in the job market. It is a document which provides a summary of your qualifications and how you have progressed through your working life.

A good CV will substantially boost your chances of securing an interview by marketing relevant skills, experience and value to a potential employer. There are no right or wrongs when it comes to writing a CV as each one will be as individual as the person writing it.

It’s not recommeneed to copy CV samples as your CV should be your own and reflect your talents and personality. Simple and to the point is best since the person reading it will usually be seeing tens or even hundreds and would not appreciate something lengthy. What’s important is to highlight those points which you feel are being sought. Avoid decorative fonts and colours and try to abstain from listing all the training courses you have ever been on. Double check for errors in spelling or grammar as these are an early indication of how conscientious you are in doing quality work.

Here’s what a good CV should include:

• Your full name, age, date of birth, and address, marital status and other personal data you feel relevant
• Your objective - this should be statement referring to what position you are seeking as the next part of your career. Keep it concise and be sure you remember it since it might come up at your interview
• List your educational qualifications from the time you were in school through university. Mention the grades achieved if they are good.
• List your work experience and again, keep descriptions simple. However, you can highlight those jobs where the work done was related to the job you are applying for to show that you possess certain required skills and understanding
• Interests and personal achievements should then follow. Nowadays, interviewers are also keen to know about your personal life as companies like ‘all-rounders’. Someone who has been active in the university debating team or participates in voluntary activities for charity would be appealing. Mentioning that you are a great paintball player is probably not as meaningful as being part of a project to help build a new home for orphans.
• At the final stage of your CV, you should emphasize what languages you are familiar with (especially if you are planning to work for a multinational company) and any technological skills you may be good at.
• Don’t forget to list references. These should include a previous employer, for example, and an academic one too, such as an instructor.