How Far Back Should Your CV Really Go?

By Michelle Wanjiku
When it comes to applying for jobs, having a well done CV can be the difference between getting that dream job and not getting it.
This means that you need to take extra care when writing your CV so that you ensure it is not costing you job opportunities.
However, you cannot always include everything in your CV especially if you have a lot of experience. This is because your CV is not supposed to be very long; after all, the HR manager doesn’t have time to go through a 6 page Curriculum Vitae since they receive hundreds of applications for just one position.
However, this is easier said than done, because how can you fit over 20 years’ experience in a two page resume?
So how far back should your CV go? What should you include and what should you leave out?
When it comes to choosing what to include in your CV it’s important to remember the following:
Must Read: 4 Sections You Should Remove From Your CV To Start Getting Interviews
1. It’s the most recent experience that matters most
According to Carolyne Kariuki, a recruitment manager at Corporate Staffing Services, a leading recruitment firm in Nairobi, the employer only cares about your most recent work experience because it helps them know what skills you possess at the moment.
This is not to say that your older experience is not important. On the contrary, however, when it comes to CV writing, it’s advisable to include the most recent experience.
2. Start with the most relevant experience
Another thing to keep in mind when writing your CV for a job is to ensure that you showcase any experience you have that is most relevant. This mostly applies to people who have worked in different industries and careers.
Every job is different which is why you need to customize your CV to fit every position you apply for.
For example, if you were working in accounting and have changed careers to sales, when applying for a sales job, your CV should mainly showcase your sales experience unless accounting experience is necessary. This will help you decide what to include in the curriculum vitae.
You should also not include those part time job experiences unless they are relevant to the position, for example, “worked as an MPesa attendant,”
3. Make use of the qualifications summary
If you feel that your resume still needs additional qualifications, then you can go ahead and include a qualifications summary section.
This is a list of five or six bullets highlighting your strengths and biggest accomplishments. You can use it to highlight your achievements and whatever qualifications you cannot expound on due to lack of space. Just ensure anything you put here is still relevant to the position you are applying for.
READ ALSO >>> 7 CV Writing Mistakes You Need To Stop Making Today
In Conclusion,
Your resume should prove to the HR manager that you are actually qualified for that particular position so this is what you should be aiming at. The rest of your qualifications can come up during the interview and you can use them to impress the interviewer.
What you need to remember though when writing your CV is that it is important to include whatever will help you get the interview.
Boost your chances of getting an interview by having your CV done by a professional by emailing  cvwriting@corporatestaffing.co.ke