How to create a great CV
Gathering information should be your first step when composing a proper resume. You should know what an employer requires, and be able to tailor your CV according to the instructions. However, resumes are not all about editing.
They do not have a set format and are usually considered to be free of form when it comes to selecting a general look. You should remember, however, that the information included needs to be relevant, readable and concise, so that the hiring managers know they’ve found the right candidate.
Find out about the company of your choice on the Internet. There may be specific requirements for this position, or the employer might be interested in experienced candidates only. You might also want to know about the company’s rules and regulations. This way, you won’t be confused when it comes to the job interview.
Hobbies and interests
There are no limitations when you write about something you love and things that keep you motivated, but try to include hobbies that make you look like a sociable, active individual with a good taste. Companies and large corporations usually prefer extroverts to brooding, solitary types. This may be sad for conservative, passive people, but that is the reality of a job market today.
Among the hobbies that make you look good and create a positive image are any sports that you indulge in and charity activities that bring all the kids to the yard. We do not say you should fake information from your resume in order to look professionally attractive, but if you ever participated in the said events, you should definitely point them out.
Activities that make you look passive are watching TV and curling up on a sofa with a book. If you apply to the creative agency, however, or the renowned publishing house, mentioning this would be an absolute must! You should provide the employer with the reason you love literature and TV, though, by saying something along the lines of “exploring culture through entertainment” and other believable reasons.
Relevant experience
Relevant experience may include anything that brings you closer to the desired position. Foreign languages, communicative talents and the knowledge of targeted audience would be a plus.
Remember to list traits that make you an attractive candidate, and if you are a team player, stress the number of social events you’ve been attending. Create a section, devoted entirely to your personal achievements and qualifications.
It should be either at the beginning of the list or you can put it after other sections. The list should be made in chronological order and your average grades are to be included, so that the future employer sees you are determined to move forward and feel confident around other people.
Include any additional diplomas that you received during a course or a seminar and specify the name of the discipline related. You should indicate whether it has to do with something you enjoy currently and how you are going to imply that knowledge into your daily routine.
Additional information and references
After you’ve finished with the body of your CV (work experience, education, hobbies and interests), and there is still some space left for additional info, think of an experience that might be relevant to your future position. If you’ve been a volunteer and took a gap year off your studies, you can mention that, too, as it will display a certain amount of determination and goal-oriented attitude employers are looking for.
However, you have to give valid reasons for engaging in this type of work. Simply stating that you love something would not be enough for a CV. Talk about broadening personal horizons and expanding the outlook on the world, if that justifies your interest in the position, and don’t try to impress the hiring managers with too much information. Concise CVs tend to make a long-lasting impression on the employers rather than unending paragraphs of text.