A Guide to CV writing you Need to Read!
Ok It’s time to address a problem that’s been haunting us for age, CVs full of baffling hieroglyphics and more columns than a Greek temple. Here is a guide to CV writing you need to read!
Ok – It’s time to address a problem that’s been haunting us for ages—CVs that resemble ancient manuscripts, full of baffling hieroglyphics and more columns than a Greek temple. We, the recruitment consultants, have seen it all – from messy formatting to typos that would make a grammar teacher weep. So, let’s set things straight with a bit of humour and a dollop of common sense. After all, engineers are known for their problem-solving skills, right? So here is a guide to CV writing you need to read…..
A guide to CV Writing Rules
Here are 10 rules on how to craft a CV that’s both simple and effective. So here goes!
- Remember, You’re Not Writing a Novel! Your CV isn’t the next New York Times best seller, so resist the urge to wax on about your love for football and gadgets. Recruiters, like people scrolling through a dating app, have short attention spans. Stick to the essentials: contact information, work experience, education, and relevant skills. The rest can be your conversation starters during the interview.
- Say No to the “Wall of Text” Effect. Imagine your CV is a busy train carriage – it needs some breathing room! Avoid cramming all your details into one never-ending paragraph. Use clear headings, bullet points, and a touch of white space to make your CV readable.
- Banish the “Word Art”! Decorative fonts, colours and boxes? Get rid of “Comic Sans” and neon green. Stick with professional, easy-to-read fonts like Calibri or Arial. Use black for the text, and sparingly use bold or italics to emphasize crucial points. No fancy coloured boxes. Recruiters don’t want to decipher your artistic masterpiece; they want to find info – fast.
- Kill the Clutter and Typos! Typos in a CV are like potholes in the road – they make the journey uncomfortable and bumpy. So, spell-check that document and proofread like your future job depends on it – because it does! Also, get rid of clutter: unless your hobbies include designing nuclear reactors in your spare time, you can leave them out.
- Be Honest! Honesty is key, so don’t exaggerate or invent qualifications and experience. Remember, engineers are the ones who keep the world from falling apart – we trust you with bridges and buildings, so we should definitely be able to trust you with the truth on your CV.
- Chronological vs. Skills-Based? Are you an experienced engineer with a long work history? Go for a chronological CV. Are you just starting your career or switching fields? A skills-based CV may be your best bet. Tailor your CV to your situation, like choosing the right tool for the job – a hammer for nails, not screws.
- Customisation is Not Just for Smartphones! Each job application is a unique opportunity, so don’t send the same CV to every employer. Customise it to match the job description, highlighting the skills and experience most relevant to the position. Show that you’ve done your homework and are serious about the role.
- Don’t Overshare! Keep your CV concise – ideally one or two pages. We don’t need a detailed account of every task you’ve ever performed. Focus on accomplishments and responsibilities that directly relate to the job you’re applying for or the one you want to have.
- Let Your LinkedIn Profile Speak for Itself! Your LinkedIn profile is like a distant cousin to your CV. Include the link to your profile in your CV, but don’t just copy-paste it all. Let your CV tell your story, and let LinkedIn back it up with endorsements, recommendations, and connections.
- Seek Feedback!! Just as you’d never build a bridge without testing its structural integrity, don’t finalize your CV without getting some feedback. Have a friend or colleague review your CV, and maybe even ask advice from a professional recruiter. They’ll catch things you might have missed.
Your CV doesn’t need to be a work of art – it just needs to be clear, concise, and honest. Remember, your CV is your foot in the door, and recruiters are simply looking for reasons to let you in. So, make it easy for them. Happy job hunting!