Writing A Great CV

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An excellent CV, or resumé, is the key to making sure you get noticed by potential employers. It is your opportunity to convince them you have the skills and experience they require.

Making a good first impression is vital to securing your dream career.
For this reason, the CV, or resumé, is one of the most important documents you will ever write.
Recruiters take an average of just six seconds to scan a CV and decide whether a candidate may be right for a position, according to research by online career service TheLadders, so it’s crucial to ensure you promote yourself as well as you possibly can.

1. Keep It Simple
Make your CV as easy to read as possible – you don’t need to show off with flowery, complicated language. Key tips:

  • It should be no shorter than a page and no longer than three pages.
  • Use an easy to read design and type font (there are plenty of templates online).
  • Make sure there are no spelling or grammatical mistakes.

 

2. Customize It
While you should have one master version, your CV can be altered for each application to emphasize key points of interest to a specific employer. Tailor it to suit different positions and organizations. For example, if you know that a company places great importance on community participation, make sure your volunteer work is well highlighted.
If you speak Arabic and English, have a version of your CV prepared in both languages. Ask the employer which version they would prefer to receive.

 

3. Career Stage Matters
The stage you are at in your career will determine the structure of your CV.
If you have just finished high school or are at university, then list your educational achievements more prominently and in more detail. Young people already in the workplace should concentrate on their professional achievements – only include your GPA if it was exceptional.
Even if you have not had a lot of employment experience, make sure to strongly emphasize the skills you do have. For example, if you juggled tasks such as answering phones and making appointments for others while interning, this is a demonstration of your ability to prioritize and manage your time.
Remember to include any extracurricular activities, such as volunteering, sports and membership of student groups, which highlight your achievements. If you volunteered for a charity committee, you may have picked up skills in book-keeping and publicity, while playing basketball shows you are comfortable working in a team.

 

Read more about writing a CV on the sixth issue of “Career Guide” magazine: Click Here

 

Do:

  • Keep sentences short and informative
  • Use points rather than paragraphs
  • Check spelling and grammar
  • Make sure it is easy to read and simply designed
  • Keep formatting consistent
  • Ensure all work experience mentioned is relevant to the position
  • Write your own resumé – nobody else is as qualified!
  • Ask a family member or friend to do a final check

Don’t:

  • Include too much text
  • Use an unprofessional email address
  • Mention salary (either current or desired)
  • Mention family issues or political views
  • Write in the first person i.e. using ‘I’, ‘me’ or ‘my’
  • Explain why you left a previous position
  • Include time off (unless there’s a good reason for it)
  • Include references – an employer will ask you if they want to speak to
    your references