How Do To Go About Writing A CV That Gets You Interviews

By Michelle Wanjiku

A CV is the most important part of your job search. It determines whether you get shortlisted for the interview or not. Therefore, writing a CV that stands out and encompasses what the recruiter is looking for is very important.

Steps to Writing a CV that gets invited for you interviews

Personal Details

Writing the personal details section doesn’t require a lot of explanation. The details you need to put in the CV are your Name as they appear on your ID, Telephone Number (preferably 2) and your Email Address.

Whatever email and number you give needs to be working. If you are giving someone else’s number ensure they are always available. Employers rarely call again if your number is inactive.

Information on your marital status, age, nationality and gender is only important if the advert includes them as a requirement. The same applies to a photo.

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Profile summary

According to Rebecca Nyawira, a CV Writing  expert at Corporate Staffing Services, a leading HR firm, this is a brief overview of who you are in terms of profession, your experience that is what you have done and what you are looking for.

For example,

I am an accounting professional with a Degree in Commerce from ABC University, I have acquired strong leadership from my 1 year and 4 months experience working in the accounting department. I also possess comprehensive knowledge in the latest accounting software which is necessary in making daily operations more effective. Currently, I am seeking for a position in a competitive firm.

Education

Always start with the most recent and relevant to the job you are applying for. Your CV should not have your primary school education details as this is not relevant. Remember the employer doesn’t want to know what units you studied in university or what you got in each.

Your high school grade doesn’t really matter especially if you have a lot of work experience. However if you have very little experience this might be helpful.

This is not the place to put your certification if you have any extra ones, especially if they are not relevant to the position. You can create a small subsection where you briefly mention them.

Work Experience

This is the most important part when writing a CV. Your work experience should include your job title, organisation, the specific duration you worked there and relevant duties.

You need to start with the most recent job. Keep in mind that the jobs you list here need to be relevant to the position you are applying for now.

You can even go further and add your accomplishments in the said positions and the impact it had. You can list about 2-3.

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For Example

Job Title: Accountant
XYZ Company Ltd (November 2015 – Present)
Duties and Responsibilities

• Assisting in the preparation and maintaining of effective financial accounting systems to conform with accepted accounting standards.
• Assisting in the drawing up of final accounts and balance sheets for individual departments and section.
• Analysis of the final accounts before submitting for further analysis and verification.
• Direct involvement in the writing books of accounts.

Achievements: – Revamped the accounting system, which ended up in increased efficiency in handling accounting controls – Increased accounting department’s efficiency by 50% through rigorous training of accounting staff.

You can then go ahead and summarize the other past work experiences. That is if you have worked at more than 3 different companies in one single statement.

For example

Accounting Intern at ABC Company helped the accountant with day to day tasks from 2013-2014.

Other relevant training

When writing the CV, this is where you can put all your other trainings for example if you have a certificate from a training you underwent.

Referees

You should always include three referees if you have the work experience and they have to be people who were your immediate supervisors. If you do not have any work experience you are then allowed to have even one referee maybe a lecturer.

You should always confirm the contact details for the referees are working and up to date before putting them in your CV.

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