CV and Cover Letters : How to Write a CV That Gets You the Job

While your cover letter should be tailored to fit the job listing you’re applying to, there are a few elements that should be consistent in every cover letter. First and foremost, your cover letter should explain why you’re interested in the job and how your skills and qualifications will benefit the company or organization.

Also, remember to include your contact information at the top of your cover letter so that the hiring manager can contact you directly if he or she is interested in setting up an interview. Plus, make sure to use active verbs throughout your cover letter – this will show employers that you’re confident and have drive!

What goes into your CV?

When you start looking for a job, you will have to put together your resume or CV. But what does that mean and how should it look? A resume is a brief overview of your work experience, education and qualifications. If possible, list relevant experiences in reverse chronological order (most recent first). Your contact information goes at the top lefthand corner of the page so that employers can reach you easily by email.

The order of information in your CV

1. Contact information including full name, email address, phone number and mailing address;
2. General qualifications or skills; 
3. Specific qualifications or skills (if not, move on to 4); 
4. A list of your relevant experience-related positions with start and end dates and company names. Indicate your title in each position as well as what you did there, and in which years these positions were held; also include any additional responsibilities that are pertinent to the job for which you are applying.

For example Administrative Assistant at ABC Company. The next sentence should then read June 2011 Present or April 2008 June 2011. Fill in any gaps with other work experience that is relevant. Include volunteer work if it's important for the job for which you're applying.

Your Career Section

1. Education (high school, colleges and degrees) 
2. Skills (languages, coding languages, programs that you are familiar with) 
3. Experiences (paid or unpaid experience from college internships) 
4. Professional Experience (schools or jobs you've held) Interests/Hobbies (anything outside of work or studies) 
5. Strengths (anything that sets you apart from other candidates like skills, talents, personality traits) 
6. Weaknesses (anything about yourself that might be less desirable for employers).

Educational Section

1. Include degrees, certifications, and trade school diplomas. Don't include your high school diploma or any additional education after college unless it's related to your profession.
2. Make sure that everything is up to date with what you're applying for. If there are gaps in your employment history, it's okay to have a few lines explaining why they exist. Just be sure to keep them brief!
3. Remember to only list pertinent information. 
4. Be concise but informative. 
5. In general, make sure to check every spelling and grammar mistake before sending out your cv.

Activities, Skills, and Interests Section

One of the most important sections of your CV, this section should list any activities, skills, and interests that you believe might be relevant to your desired job. Mention any hobbies or extracurricular activities in which you have participated, as well as any courses or workshops that you may have attended.

Additionally, list your technical skills like software proficiency and computer experience if they are relevant. Finally, mention any other qualifications like certifications and accreditations.

Stick with what is relevant to the position for which you are applying. If you're applying for an office manager position at a law firm, there's no need to mention how skilled you are at paintball.  Be sure to tailor your resume for each application and don't include anything irrelevant about yourself!

Choosing fonts for your CV

Consider using one of the more traditional fonts like Garamond, Times New Roman, or Verdana for your resume and curriculum vitae. If you want to use something more creative, then think about what sort of professional impression you're trying to create. For example, Comic Sans is only going to make your resume seem childish and unprofessional.

Don’t pad it with irrelevant information

Padding your resume with irrelevant information that doesn't contribute to the company's needs is often interpreted as self-promotion, which will hinder you from receiving that job offer.

However, don't be afraid to include some of your personal interests or hobbies on your resume because this can give an employer a more complete understanding of who you are.

Read Also: How to Write a Cover Letter That Will Stand Out

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