How To Create A Good CV

Our CV (curriculum vitae) is our gateway to success when job hunting. The first thing a person notices about us is how we look or dress before they actually get to know us. Our presentation is what speaks for us first before we even get to introduce ourselves to them

So then how do we get past that stage… How do we make the company we desire want us just as much as we want them?

Creating a CV involves several important steps. This article will explain to us how to not just write any CV but the kind that will get us the job we are applying for and also grab the employers’ attention.

First and foremost when applying for a company or job it is important that you do research to understand exactly what the company or employer is seeking, once this is done you can now proceed to structuring your CV.

Secondly it is important to focus on hard skills, such as Industry specific skills, IT system knowledge languages and qualifications. Soft skills are good too but they should be your main highlight as they are applicable to the majority of jobs. 

Next is the structuring and formatting of CV. It is important to structure and format your CV in such a way that not only is it professional and flawless but also easy to navigate and read for your employer. This is key as you are not the only one applying for that role, and your employers might not necessarily be so keen on reading long CVs. So keep it simple and professional, the goal is to stand out from the crowd. It is important to keep your simple fonts basic using simple colors

Apps like Microsoft Word and Google Documents are very easy to use as they not only have standard formats but are also globally accepted.

First let’s understand what a CV is? And how to create one?

Before I get into this let us explore the different formats of a CV. 

Choose the Right CV Format

• Reverse Chronological: Lists your work experience starting with the most recent. This is the most common and suitable format for most jobs.
• Functional: Focuses on skills rather than work history. This is useful if you’re changing careers or have gaps in employment.
• Combination: Mixes both skills and experience; good if you have both solid experience and strong skills to showcase.

Now that we’ve decided what type or how we want to present ourselves we can now proceed to the next phase 

Drawing up that perfect CV: 

STEP 1. Write your personal details 

• Full Name
• Contact Information: Phone number, email address, home address (optional)
• LinkedIn Profile or Professional Website (if applicable)

(Note that this should be first regardless of what style or what your CV is for.)

STEP 2: Craft a Strong Personal Statement

Write a 2-3 sentence summary that captures who you are, your strengths, and what you bring to the table.

Tip: Tailor this for each job application. Focus on your most relevant skills and how they align with the role.
Example:
“A highly motivated marketing director with over 5 years of experience driving social media strategies and content creation. Proven ability to increase engagement by 35%. Looking to apply my creative skill set to elevate XYZ company’s brand presence.”

STEP 3. Work Experience (Reverse Chronological Order)

Job Title, Company Name, Location, Dates of Employment 

Bullet points detailing your key responsibilities and achievements in each role. Remember to only highlight the key points 

Focus on measurable achievements and use action verbs like “led,” “managed,” “developed,” etc.

Example:

• Led a team of 5 to execute social media campaigns, increasing engagement by 30%.
• Developed and implemented content strategies, resulting in a 15% increase in traffic to the company blog.

STEP 4. Education (Reverse Chronological Order)

• Degree/Qualification: Institution Name, Dates Attended
• Include any relevant coursework, projects, or academic achievements.
• Example: B.A. in Marketing, University of XYZ, 2018-2022

STEP 5. Skills

List relevant skills that align with the job you’re applying for, such as:

• Technical Skills (e.g., Excel, Python, Adobe Photoshop)
• Soft Skills (e.g., leadership, communication)
• Languages (if applicable)
• Certifications (e.g., Google Analytics, PMP)

STEP 6. Achievements and Awards

Mention any notable awards or recognitions you’ve received.

Example: “Employee of the Month, January 2022” or “Dean’s List for Academic Excellence, 2020”

STEP 7. Certifications / Courses (Optional)

If you’ve taken additional courses or certifications relevant to your field, list them here.Then attach it if requested or be sure to have it ready in case needed for proof

Despite this being optional it is also good to add as it really can boost your CV up.

STEP 8. References (Optional)

You can either list 2-3 references with their contact information or write “Available upon request.”

Extra Tips for Writing a Strong CV: