Writing your killer CV

By Richard Akin

So now you have analysed what type of career suits you and have realised that in order to get your dream job you have to start applying for jobs.

Various companies use a variety of recruitment methods. These methods may include filling in an application form, submitting a CV or an initial telephone interview or even an on the spot interview.

One of the popular methods used by candidates and which has also proved successful is to submit a CV.

Your CV provides your prospective employee a lot of information about you and also gives you an opportunity to gain an interview or for them to contact you for further details or a discussion.

It is vital that you plan what information needs to go on your CV before typing or writing it up as this could make or break you. Since your prospective employee may not know who you are your CV provides you with an opportunity for them to know more about you. You need to sell your self in your CV but never lie. Your CV has to provide your prospective employee with information that makes you suitable for the job.

As your CV says a lot about you. i.e your educational background, employment history and past experiences and hobbies it may also play a determining factor on whether you may be suitable for the job which is being advertised.

Now in order to ensure that you get on the right path to getting your ideal career or job, here are a few tips which I suggest you take note of.

Your CV should contain facts about your experience, qualifications and some general information about you as a person. Here are the vital elements of a killer CV which will place you on the path of getting your ideal job.

Elements of a CV

• Contact details: This includes your full name and also a telephone number and an email address
• Date of Birth and Nationality: Your date of birth including day, month and year
• Introduction: This section should be very engaging and should contain your key qualities and what makes you stand out from the crowd. You could also include your objectives as an individual
• Employment History: This section should include information about what types of work you have done in the past starting with your present or last job. Ensure that you provide the dates that you started and finished each job. You also needs to provide information on what your key tasks where and your job title and what you also achieved in each role. If there where any breaks between employment you will also have to explain what you did during those breaks in employment.
• Qualifications: In this section the information required is any educational or vocational qualification which you have including the names of the institutions from which these qualifications where gained. These should also be listed started from the most recent qualification gained
• Hobbies and interest: This will include the activities which you like doing e.g cycling, horse riding, reading or writing or anything that you may like to do in your spare time. Be careful about what you list and make it brief. Your hobbies say a lot about you for example if you playa competitive sport that indicates that you may be a competitive person and if you play team sport that indicates that you are also a team player. If applicable state any awards which you may have achieved.
• References: In this section it is advisable to write that references will be provided on request.

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