1. Create a professional email address
Every aspect of your CV can easily make or break your chances in securing the position of your career. A professional email address is essential to your CV. It is usually the first point of contact whether it be from your recruiter or the company that has a position available. If necessary, for the purposes of the interview get a formal, short, and easy to remember email address. This can be done easily on Gmail or outlook. Avoid comical names or hero type bravado names:
timtank@gmail
thegreentree@hotmail
powerranger@gmail
Always try use your first or surname in the address.
2. Ensure your contact information is accurate and up to date
When applying for a position it is always important to ensure that recruiters or a prospective employer can contact you. It is recommended that if you are still working that you indicate the best times that you are available or offer an alternative method of contact through email or what’s app. Listing a secondary emergency number such as a family member is good but inform the family member the reason for a call.
3. Choose a well readable font and set your font size to 11-14 points.
This is to ensure anyone that is a hiring manager can easily read it without squinting.
4. Listing your Qualifications start with your highest degree down to your schooling level.
5. Ensure you list your most recent job first to the last position you had
Keep information factual about each position. List your responsibilities so that it is easily readable as most recruiters and employers will skim through looking for keywords that will make you stand out as a job seeker. List your reasons for leaving however where a problem may have occurred, it is recommended you list, left for personal reasons and you can later explain this in an interview.
6. Make strategic use of bold, caps, and italics.
7. Include all jobs for the last 10-15 years, normally do not list more unless they are pertinent to the position.
Add jobs you have had in the past 10-15 years.
8. Keep each section under simple and easy to find headings.
9. Include URLs to social media profiles, personal websites, and your blog.
If you have a professional website or blog, include the URL in your contact section and add any professional profiles you may have. This does add value to your CV as it will demonstrate your online skills and creativity.
10. Use a professionally designed template
How do you build a strong resume?
After your contact information, start your resume with your education or your experience section?
If you are a professional with tons of experience, your experience should come first. If you are recent to the job market, no more than two years then start with your Education first.
Lose the phrase “References Available Upon Request.”
11. Read the job description and then read it again.
Most applicants fail on the job criteria by not understanding the job position. Read it again so that you are clear on what the position is and what you need to apply.
12. Match your cover letter to your resume.
The two best cover letter tips are:
Write a cover letter.
Match the content of your cover letter to your resume.
Cover letters are still important as it is the opportunity to put your foot forward. Keep information factual, short and to the point. If you think you need to highlight something in your CV, this cover letter is the chance. EG gap in work experience, maybe you were on a two-year extended holiday.
13. Tailor your resume to the job description.
Ensure your resume is tailored around the position that is available. In the job description keep keywords in mind and add them in to your CV with relevant experience.
14. Include achievements or any additional experience that would be relevant for the position.
It is important to highlight your skill sets or any additional abilities that you have and can demonstrate in an interview. This will give you an advantage over other applicants.
15. Check your resume for Grammar and spelling.
16. Have a human proofread your resume.
Computers are great at grammar and spelling mistakes but they can’t give you a feel or flow of your CV. Get the opinion of a qualified person to just go over your CV and ensure it has the correct flow.
17. In your cover letter include a thank-you for the opportunity and once you have heard of the position as taken or filled, write a thank you as it may mean the difference in getting the position should there be a problem with the original candidate.
18. Clean up your online presence.
99.9% of employers will immediately google search your name, check it out see what comes up and if any of it is inappropriate, it is recommended that you clean it up or ask google to delete any old information or accounts linked to you.
19. Have supporting evidence to reinforce your professional titles by showing career growth.
Talking of flashy titles is easy but showing how you got to that position through hard work, planning and growth is different.
20. Research the company and the position you are applying for, then consider adding Hobbies or Interests that will fit in with the culture of the company.
An example is comparing how your interest as a hunter would fit in with a company protecting animals. A top company places a large emphasis on work culture and to develop a team that shares similar interests, hobbies and share common goals.
21. Remove unnecessary and lengthy paragraphs from your resume.
22. Unless invited to do not cold call the company, deal through your recruiter or the appointed human resources manager. Give them time as they have many CV’s to review. Most positions will give a time period however if you have no feedback after a week, contact your agent by email in a professional manner.
23. Do not lie on your resume as it will be found.
Always take the time to check your resume.