How To Build A Professional CV That Gets You Hired Faster

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Today, I will be working you through a step-by-step guidelines on how to build a professional CV that get you hired faster.

You keep seeing jobs you want, and one of the requirements is that you submit a CV, but you don’t know how to write or build one to a professional level.

You’ve burnt your data, spent time watching countless YouTube videos, but it just doesn’t add up.

You don’t even know whether you’re doing the right thing by applying for that job without a CV.

But, here’s the truth, if you want to stand out from the noise in the marketplace, you need to have a CV, built professionally.

Let’s get started.

Table of Contents

What Is A CV

A CV is a written document about your education, work experience, training, skills, and achievements.

CV stands for Curriculum Vitae, a Latin phrase meaning ‘course of life.’ In some countries, especially the USA and Canada, CVs are also known as résumés.

But, a CV is the summary of what you do, how you started, and where it’s going. It’s a PDF document you submit when applying for jobs via email.

Why A CV Must Be Professional

It’s the first thing your employer demands. Your CV is the first impression you will make on them.

Along with your cover letter, your CV is a chance to promote yourself in three seconds, be it online or on-site.

Recruiters have thousands of CVs to go through for just one job and not much time which is why your CV needs to tell quickly and clearly how you’re a good fit and why they should interview you.

It has to show how much you match the requirements, and if it screams professionalism, you might get hired faster.

Sections For Your CV

When you want to write your CV, it should include a section for your contact details, a brief introduction, your academic prowess, your work history, and references.

Contact Details

The information must be your name, phone number, email address, and a link to your relevant works, so that employers can reach out if they want to schedule an interview with you.

Never ever include your date of birth, nationality, or your relationship status.

Introduction

Nobody needs your childhood history in your CV. Keep it short and simple.

A summary of who you are and what you hope to do, and should be after your name and contact details.

Craft your introduction in a way that sounds like you’re the right person for the job.

Education History

If you’re just starting out in your career or you don’t have much work experience, you can add this below your introduction.

If you have much work experience, you can substitute and show off your expertise first.

Whichever order you choose, your academic history must include the names of your qualifications, the name of the University you studied at, and the dates you attended.

Work History

Details about the jobs you did, be it paid or volunteering must be here.

You must start with the recent experiences you’ve had.

Other information such as: the employer’s name, the work title, dates you began and ended, and two to three lines of what you did, using the STAR (situation, task, action, and results) method.

Short Work History

If it’s your first job that you’re applying for, focus on the skills you learned through projects, volunteering, or work experiences.

You can also include your hobbies and interests that reflect some of the skills you have.

References

You can decide to add a section for references if you’re certain someone would give you one and it could be a former boss or current employer, a respected community leader, etc.

Don’t make the mistake of including their contact information.

Simply put, ‘references are available on request.’

Tips on How to Build a Professional CV

When employers look at CVs, they make up their minds quickly on whom they want to call upon for an interview.

That’s why it’s important to make it clear and easy to read.

When you want to write your CV, remember the following:

Fonts like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri in size 11 or bigger can make your writing unique and well-understood.
Choose a particular font and stick to it throughout, because using different styles can break the rhythm, pace, and tempo.
Use headings, bullet points, and a lot of white space as a way to make it easy to read.
Let your message be clear and straightforward.
Be honest. Don’t lie or exaggerate on your CV.

Get a family, friend, or loved one to proofread what you’ve written, because of spelling errors and grammar.

Use your first and last name and CV in the PDF/DOCX filename, for instance, “lisa-olakunle-CV.pdf.”

Update An Existing CV

If you already have a CV, it’s vital to ensure it’s up-to-date.

When you want to update your CV, you need to remember to:

Align your CV to the type of job you’re applying for.
Include any latest achievements, training, skills, or experiences, you’ve acquired.
Go through each section of your CV to check if it includes the necessary information.
Clear any old information.
Check if your contact, email, and name are correct.
Remove any image that you may have uploaded previously.
Keep your CV to at least 2 pages.

Finally, use active verbs where possible, words like, ‘created,’ ‘analysed,’ etc. to present yourself as one who takes initiative.

How To Tailor Your CV

Instead of applying everywhere blindly, you should tailor your CV to the kind of role or opportunity you’re looking for.

Every job advertisement has its own requirements that include a job description, criteria for application, and brief details about the organisation.

Therefore, your CV should align with the role or organisation you would be applying for.

For instance, if the company needs some specific skills that you have, you can include them in your CV, and chances are that the doors of opportunity will be opened to you.

CV Writing: 6 Common Questions Answered

Can I use AI to write my CV

The answer is yes, as long as you use AI tools wisely, for researching, summarizing job descriptions, drafting, and proofreading documents, you can use AI-generated CV templates.

What’s the difference between my CV and a LinkedIn profile?

Your CV is the main means of applying for roles, a most important sales tool if you desire to be hired for a job, and should be complemented with a strong, active, and professional LinkedIn profile that showcases everything you have written on your CV and what you have to offer.

How often should I update my CV?

Updating your CV should be done regularly, even if you’re not actively searching for a new job. So, for example, if you participated in a drama group or you were invited for a talk show about climate, you must update your CV and your LinkedIn at the same time.

How should I tackle any gaps I have in the employment history section of my CV?

Most individuals have gaps in their career years which could be health-related, traveling, or education. There’s no need to hide it. Acknowledge the gaps in your CV, with a brief explanation and the dates it began and ended.

What common mistakes should I avoid making in my CV?

Mistakes are costly, and a few you should avoid when writing your CV are: poor formatting, spelling errors, lying, lack of evidence, failure to tailor your application, and ignoring gaps in your work history.

Should I disclose a disability on my CV?

Including a disability in your CV isn’t compulsory. It would be helpful only if it were stated in the application form.

Conclusion

Here we come, so I have been able to walk you through the step-by-step guideline on how to build a professional CV that gets you hired faster.

If you don’t have much work experience, it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. That feeling of confusion or frustration may rear its ugly head as you embark on giving a professional touch to your shabby CV.

But getting help from those in the business of CV writing or revamping would do. Asking questions would go a long way. Investing in yourself can lead to significant improvements.

I strongly believe you find this blog post useful and helpful. If YES, consider sharing this with someone you know.

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