10 RESUME (CV) WRITING TIPS TO HELP YOU GET A JOB

An informative image illustrating 10 key tips for crafting an effective CV to boost your job application success.
---Advertisement---

Introduction

Employers use CVs throughout the hiring process to learn more about candidates and determine whether they may be a good fit. An effective resume is easy to read, summarizes your accomplishments and skills, and highlights your relevant experience. Learning how to highlight your qualifications on a CV can help you impress potential employers.
In this article, I offer you 10 tips to help you write a great CV.

10 TIPS FOR WRITING A CV

Here are some tips to help you organize and design your CV:


 SEARCH FOR KEYWORDS IN THE JOB POST


The best starting point for preparing to write a CV is to carefully read the job offers that interest you. When applying for different jobs, study each job description to find keywords that indicate what the employer is looking for in an ideal candidate. Include these keywords in your resume when appropriate.

For example, if you’re applying for a job as a medical billing coder, an employer might list keywords like “coding,” “claims,” ​​”compliance,” or “accounts receivable management” in the  description. of work Pay particular attention to anything mentioned in the “Requirements” or “Qualifications” sections. If you have the skills employers are looking for, you can add these terms to your CV in the “Experience” or “Skills” sections.

REVIEW RESUME EXAMPLES FOR YOUR INDUSTRY


When writing your CV, you can study resume examples  from your industry for inspiration and best practices. Samples are useful examples of high-quality resumes used in your industry and for your position. While there are many ways to use resume examples, there are three key points to remember:

SIMPLICITY.

Resume examples are simple because employers have little time to review your CV , so make it readable.

BREVITY.

You’ll notice that every part of the sample CV  is short and to the point, including the summary and descriptions of experience. By including only the most important and relevant information, employers can learn more  about you and quickly understand your suitability for the position.

THE NUMBERS.

You may also notice that  the Experience section of CV examples often contains metrics because employers pay attention to proven and measurable  value. For example, a bullet point under the Administrative Assistant experience description reads: “I handled 100 vendor contracts and implemented a standardized process, reducing contract variance by 90%.

USE A PROFESSIONAL FONT 


Use a simple, clean font like Arial or Times New Roman. Keep the font size between 10 and 12 points. Choosing a clear and legible font can help  your resume look more professional.  Reduce or eliminate any unnecessary white space. It allows the CV reader to focus only on the content of your CV and not on the white space. Make it easier for the CV reader to focus  on the content of your CV and not on the empty spaces. You can reduce the white space by increasing the font size to 12 points and eventually adding optional sections such as “Career Highlights” and “Skills” or “Awards and Achievements”.

INCLUDE ONLY IMPORTANT  INFORMATION


Even if you  have extensive professional or academic experience, it is important to keep your CV as short as possible without leaving out essential information. If your resume includes old or irrelevant information, such as jobs held more than 10 years ago or minor degrees and achievements, it can distract from essential information. For example, a 3.2 GPA  or  certification in an independent field may be waived.


Try to include only the work experience, achievements, education and skills most relevant to the employer. You can find the most important attributes by carefully reading the job post. Prioritize important information on your CV to highlight key skills and achievements. This may mean creating a functional resume rather than a chronological resume, highlighting how previous roles have provided the skills and experience needed for this position.

Related article: profithub.com.ng/linkedin-job-search/

USE LAY MAN LANGUAGE


Write your CV using active language without unnecessary words. This means using strong words, such as “arrived”, “earned”, “finished” or “completed”. If your resume is too long or seems difficult to read, you might consider shortening the sentences or making your ideas more concise.


For example, you might have a job description that says, “During my time at Freedom Inc., I led several team projects and helped each team member with various tasks related to each project.” You can shorten and refine this example like this: “I led 10 team projects, including the implementation of a new point-of-care system, and helped five team members meet project requirements and the terms with an accuracy of 95%. the same ideas about your achievements, including a more active language and more evaluate your results.

INCLUDE ONLY THE SUBHEADINGS AND SECTIONS THAT IS NECESSARY


Whether you use a resume template or create your own, you may find that some of the recommended sections are unnecessary. For example, if you have graduated from university or high school and have not yet held a professional position, you can replace the Experience section with relevant courses, academic achievements and other experiences such as internships or extracurricular projects. You may also find section combinations useful  if you have difficulty completing a section with more than two  points.

DRAW ATTENTION TO YOUR IMPORTANT ACHIEVEMENTS


Instead of listing your  duties in the Experience section, choose your  three or four most important accomplishments in each position you’ve held. When possible, include numbers that measure your success against that particular goal or achievement.
You may also consider including a separate section titled “Results” or “Skills” to highlight relevant achievements in  education, career, volunteer work, or other experiences.

Related article:https://profithub.com.ng/how-to-find-a-job/

CHOOSE THE APPROPRIATE LINE


Typically, you can use a one-inch margin  on all sides of your resume with single spaces between  lines. If you have a lot of white space, consider  1.15 or 1.5 line spaces. You can also increase your margins if you have trouble filling out your resume, but make sure you stay under two inches.

CROSS-CHECK AND CORRECT


Before sending your CV, proofread it several times to make sure there are no spelling or grammar mistakes. While you can use many proofreading programs and tools, it is also useful to ask trusted friends or colleagues to proofread your resume. It is useful to have an objective third party review your resume as an employer  to find ways to correct or improve it. You can also hire a professional resume expert to help you proofread your resume and give their opinion.

CREATE MULTIPLE VERSION OF YOUR CV (resume)


Before  you apply, ask yourself, “Have I made it as easy as possible for this employer to see that I’m qualified?” » If you are applying for a job with special requirements, you may need another version of your CV to fully demonstrate your qualifications. Decide on a case by case basis which CV to use. Once you finalize your CV, it can help you get more phone calls, interviews and job offers.

FAQ

What is the most important section of a resume?

The most important section of a resume is typically the “Experience” section. This is where you highlight your relevant skills, accomplishments, and job duties. However, the importance of each section can vary depending on the specific job you’re applying for.

How long should a resume be?

Generally, a resume should be one to two pages long. However, this can vary depending on your experience level and the specific job you’re applying for. The key is to keep your resume concise and focused on the most relevant information.

What is a functional resume?

A functional resume is a type of resume that highlights your skills and accomplishments rather than your work history. This can be a good option if you have gaps in your employment history or are changing careers.

Should I include my salary expectations on my resume?

It’s generally not recommended to include your salary expectations on your resume, especially in the initial stages of the job application process. You can discuss salary during the interview process.

How often should I update my resume?

It’s a good idea to review and update your resume regularly, especially if you’ve gained new skills or experience. Aim to update it at least once a year, or more frequently if your career is rapidly evolving.


3 thoughts on “10 RESUME (CV) WRITING TIPS TO HELP YOU GET A JOB”

  1. That is a really good tip especially to those new to the blogosphere.
    Short but very precise information… Thank you for sharing this one.
    A must read article!

    Reply

Leave a Comment