CV Writing Tips: Top 5 Crucial Sections Your CV Must Have to Get HR’s Attention

By Jane Gakaria,

In today’s world of job hunting and tarmacking the CV has become an essential part of the quest. What makes it even more challenging is that CV comes in different shapes and sizes. Some are chronological, reverse chronological, achievement oriented or education oriented and the list goes on and on.

That said, I spoke to Mercy Njeri a HR Manager with Alternate Doors and Jacqueline Kariuki an expert CV writer with Corporate Staffing Services on the essential parts of a CV and what they should include.

To begin with Ms. Njeri states that no matter the format of the CV that someone chooses, certain parts will always stand out. “For me what really matters are 3 things your name, education level and experience.”

Ms. Kariuki backs this up and states that whenever she writes CVs, she ensures to include the 5 basic parts which are your contact information, your education, experience, skills and achievements.

So what role do these 5 basic parts play? Obviously the importance of your name and details is for contacting purposes, Ms. Kariuki reiterates. “It’s important you provide up to date information about yourself so that it’s easy for the employer to contact you.”

Two, when it comes to education it shows what you’ve learned and how long you took to learn it. Education is also relevant as it shows your specialization especially if you’ve studied a broad field. For example Business Commerce (popularly known as B.Com) is a broad field and under these people can specialize in finance, accounting, administration etc.

Third, in regards to experience, make sure to include the jobs you have done in the past that are relevant to the position you are applying for. On the other hand, if you haven’t had much work experience, you may want to include your whole work history.

Four, skills and strengths show the employer that you are competent and capable of handling the job. A strength is something you’re naturally good at whereas a skill is something you acquire with education and experience.

Achievements form the last part of the essentials as they show what ideas and goals you’ve accomplished and are a big selling point.
But Ms. Kariuki does caution that for people who aren’t recent graduates and have been in the job market longer, experience and achievements are the key things employers look at, whereas if someone is a graduate the employer focuses more on your level of education.

So is a career objective relevant? Yes it is but doesn’t necessarily form the most basic parts of the CV. The aim of the career objective is to give the employer an idea of who you are and in what direction your career is heading. The career objective should always be located on the first page of your resume immediately below your name and contact information.

In the case whereby one has had several minor jobs they could include them in the other significant work category. Minor jobs could include things like internships, volunteering or stints at jobs that were on short term contract basis or even jobs which didn’t work out. For example, if you have an accounts background and decided to try your hand in sales but it doesn’t work out, you could have such a job included under other significant work experience or you could all together decide to not include it in your CV.

As for the cover letter most employers will definitely expect to see it. The letter gives you a chance to get across your personality, ambition and explain gaps in your CV.

So no matter the type of CV you choose to have, it should have the following basic structure. Contact information, education, experience, skills/abilities, achievements (if any) and lastly your referees.

Ms. Njeri says that when a CV is properly formatted it also makes it easier for HR Manager to go through it. “I already go through piles and piles of CVs and the easier the CV the more I’m likely to notice it and give the person a chance. That’s if they are qualified.”

In conclusion, job seekers need to realize that CVs are an important reflection of themselves hence should take the time to ensure that they are properly written and arranged right. There are many things that can hinder a person from getting a job, so just ensure that it isn’t your CV.

Dont Miss any Job Or Article Subscribe to Career Point Kenya by Email FOR FREE CLICK HERE