Introduction
Your CV is a powerful tool that can either open doors to exciting opportunities or leave you overlooked in a sea of applicants. To ensure your CV stands out for all the right reasons, it's crucial to understand the dos and don'ts of effective CV writing.
CV Do
1. Tailor your CV and Include relevant keywords for each role
Now when we say tailor it for each job application, it does not mean recreating your whole CV. It simply means changing a few keywords according to the job description you are applying for. It will also help you easily get shortlisted through ATS as well. Customize your CV to match the specific requirements of the job. Highlight relevant skills, experiences, and accomplishments that directly align with the position.
2. Be mindful of the summary
While writing your summary, remember that instead of mentioning something like “I am fresher, looking for an enriching career, opportunity to grow etc”, talk about your years of experience and what you bring to the table that is relevant to the role. Companies will shortlist your CV basing on what they are looking for, not what you are looking for.
3. Emphasize Achievements Over Responsibilities
Instead of writing “helped, created” ,use action words like “guided, organised, assisted, developed”etc to make your experience more impactful. Whenever possible, quantify your achievements ,for example “increased sales by 20%, managed the team of 10 people” etc.
4. Highlight Transferable Skills
It is always good to show some diversity when it comes to your skills, mention transferable skills like interpersonal skills, analytical skills, organising skills etc. Showcase skills that are applicable across different industries or roles. This demonstrates your versatility and adaptability in various work environments.
5. Prioritise Relevance Over Chronology
While work history is important, emphasize experiences that are most relevant to the position you're applying for. Mention your current/latest role first, talk about relevant experience in that role then move onto previous experiences and accomplishments. Place greater emphasis on recent roles and accomplishments.
6. Maintain Consistent Formatting
It is important to maintain a standard, constant format in order to avoid distractions in yo8ur CV. Ensure that fonts, headings, and formatting are consistent throughout your CV. This creates a professional and organized appearance.
CV Don'ts
1. Don't Use a One-Size-Fits-All Approach
It is important to understand the value of a little customisation. Avoid sending out generic CVs. Tailoring each CV to the specific job description shows that you've taken the time to address the unique needs of the position.
2. Don't Include Irrelevant Information
Steer clear of including personal details, such as marital status or hobbies, unless they are directly relevant to the job. Focus on professional qualifications and experiences. Avoid mentioning languages if its only hindi and English.
3. Don't Exaggerate or Provide False Information
Honesty is crucial. Be honest about your skills, experiences, and accomplishments. Any exaggerations or falsehoods can be easily uncovered and damage your credibility.
4. Don’t add tables and proofread
Avoid including tables in your CV since most organisations use ATS(Applicant Tracking System) to shortlist the CVs and the software cannot tract tables. Also avoid any type of typos, grammatical errors, or formatting inconsistencies that can give the impression of carelessness. Thoroughly proofread your CV to ensure it's error-free.
Conclusion
By following these CV dos and don'ts, you'll be able to create a compelling CV that showcases your qualifications and stands out to potential employers. Remember, a well-crafted CV is a reflection of your professionalism. Keep refining and updating your CV as you gain new experiences and skills to ensure it remains a powerful tool throughout your career.
