Written by Yvonne
In the current competitive job market, an attractive CV (Curriculum Vitae) or resume is your first impression. It's a gateway to interviews, dream jobs, and career advancement. However, crafting an "attractive" CV isn't just about aesthetics; it's about strategic storytelling that showcases your skills, experience, and value to potential employers. Nowadays, a CV is not only necessary within the adult job market, but it is often used for high school students when applying for scholarships, pre-college programs, etc.
This deep dive will equip you with the knowledge and tools to build a CV that stands out from the crowd.
Step 1: Know Your Audience & Tailor Your Approach
Before you start typing, research the company/university/opportunity and the specific role/program you're applying for. Identify the key skills and experience they seek, and tailor your CV to highlight how you meet those requirements. Generic resumes rarely impress, so make sure to look for key features that they are looking for (e.g. They are looking for someone with specific leadership experience)
Step 2: Structure & Organization - The Foundation of Clarity
Start with a strong header: Include your full name, contact details (email, phone, LinkedIn), and location.
Craft a compelling summary: Briefly introduce yourself, highlighting your career goals and key achievements relevant to the position/program you are applying to.
Experience: List your work history in reverse chronological order, starting with your current or most recent role. Be really specific with the key details: include company names, job titles, dates of employment, and key responsibilities using strong action verbs and quantifiable results.
Education: List your academic qualifications in reverse chronological order, including the institution, degree/diploma earned, and graduation year.
(for high school students) Passion projects: Mention any projects you have started in your high school years that are relevant to the program/opportunity you are applying to. This shows that you are passionate about that area and are willing to learn more.
Achievements: Mention relevant coursework, honors, or awards.
Skills & Abilities: Showcase your technical and soft skills relevant to the job. Use keywords from the application description and back them up with concrete examples.
Additional Sections: Consider including sections for volunteer work, awards & recognitions, publications, or projects if they demonstrate relevant skills or achievements.
Step 3: Content is Significant - Highlight Achievements
Do not simply list your responsibilities– instead, focus on quantifying your achievements and impact. Use numbers, percentages, and specific examples to demonstrate how you added value to previous roles. This not only increases credibility, but gives whoever is reading your application reassurance about the quality of your achievements.
Step 4: Format & Design - Presentation Matters
Keep it clean and concise: Aim for 1-2 pages for entry-level positions, and 2-3 pages for experienced professionals. Use clear headings, consistent font style and size, and ample white space for readability. Long CVs are not recommended.
Proofread meticulously: Make sure to proofread your CV multiple times and consider having someone else review it for errors, as typos and grammatical errors show incompetence.
Choose an appropriate format: Formal fonts like Arial or Times New Roman are preferred. Avoid excessive colors, graphics, or unprofessional layouts.
Bonus Tip: Tailor Your CV for Each Application
Don't send a generic CV to every job. Take the time to tailor your CV to each specific opportunity, highlighting the most relevant skills and experiences for that particular role.
Sources:
Writer, G. (2016). 7 simple but effective ways to make your CV stand out. [online] Top Universities. Available at: https://www.topuniversities.com/blog/7-simple-effective-ways-make-your-cv-stand-out [Accessed 22 Feb. 2024].
LearnEnglish. (2020). Writing a good CV. [online] Available at: https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/business-english/business-magazine/writing-good-cv [Accessed 22 Feb. 2024].
Indeed.com. (2022). Top 8 Effective Tips for How to Make Your Resume Stand Out | Indeed.com. [online] Available at: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/tips-to-make-your-resume-stand-out [Accessed 22 Feb. 2024].
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