How do I write my CV – Tips for a job-winning CV

Recently, I talked with a Professional CV writer who shared with me a statistical finding that about 10% of job seekers apply to 50 or more jobs without receiving a response.

You could be part of that 10%, and you often wonder what the issue could be—your Curriculum Vitae. Yes, how you write your CV widely influences the decision to give you a chance or not.

Recruiters usually learn about you through your CV, the first and most important point of contact. It is the first impression an employer will have of you, so it needs to capture their attention from the very first line.

You have one shot to make an impact in seconds – how do you craft a job-winning CV?

1. Tailor it to the role.

Most of the time, we recycle that generic CV and use it to apply for every job listing. Doing this reduces your chances of being called for an interview as you fail to address a particular role posted.

Spend time understanding the job requirements and what skills and experience the company is looking for. Next, identify the essential responsibilities and qualifications and highlight where your qualifications and experience match their needs.

Weave the keywords from that job description naturally throughout your job-winning CV, so it quickly passes applicant tracking systems. This puts you at a better chance of being singled out for an interview.

2. Be Concise

A recruiter will not be keen on going through a long CV. One to two well-formatted pages is the ideal length for most roles.

It is true that the average time spent reading a resume is about 6-7 seconds. How do you keep the recruiter on your compelling CV without getting bored or losing interest?

Keep it well organised. Use bold headings, bullet points, and a lot of whitespace to make your CV easy on the eyes. The font type and size are also crucial in keeping the layout balanced and visually appealing.

Employers receive hundreds, if not thousands, of CVs. Therefore, you need to stand out from the crowd with a clean, elegant design that flows nicely.

3. Quantify your achievements

Avoid casually listing tasks and responsibilities. Consider making your achievements impactful because hiring managers want to know the results and value you delivered in previous roles. This will convince them you are the best person for the role.

Use numbers, percentages, and figures to demonstrate the scale of your accomplishments. For example, instead of “Managed social media accounts”, say “Increased engagement on company Facebook page by 25% within six months”.

Backing up claims with solid metrics shows your attention to detail and may just boost your chances of getting a job.

With these techniques, you’ll be well on your way to crafting a job-winning CV that makes employers take notice. Crafting a compelling CV takes time, effort, and editing. If you need extra help creating a standout document, you can invest in our professional CV writing service.