Tips for a Good CV

In the last entry we mentioned making your Curriculum Vitae (CV) stand out to attract potential employers as one of the three tips for job interviews. Today we expand on that and offer several tips towards achieving that goal. 

1. PDF format, NOT Word

It is not uncommon for job applicants to send their CVs in Word format. Not only does this make you look unprofessional, but if you’ve used a resume template off the internet, chances are someone has used the exact same template. With PDF, you get to customize your CV in ways that makes it unique to only yourself and distinguish it from the other resumes. As the document is compressed and the fonts are embedded, no one can edit it. In addition, a PDF document will appear the same on any type of computer and the printed version remains consistent with what appears on the screen. 

2. Include a picture of yourself, and a good one at that

Employers generally would want to know whose resume they’re looking at it. A name alone isn’t enough. A picture of yourself definitely gives you an edge over someone who hasn’t included one, and makes them remember your CV better. Do remember that the picture should look professional – go to a photo studio for a glamour shot if you must. 

3. Customize your resume for different companies

Not all organizations look for the same things in a resume. If you are including a cover letter to go along with your CV, make sure that you include only things that would be relevant to that job. For example, your internship at a publication when applying to be a reporter or your role as a class chairman in school when applying for a more senior position. If you applying for a job at a governmental organizations or ones with rigid settings such as banks, focus on your job related skills and education. If you are applying for a job that involves more creativity and freedom like advertising, designing or writing then include things about yourself such as your interests that offers a look on what kind of person you are.  

4. Make it Perfect

While the way you customize your resume is important, the content is even more so. Remember to be confident in your CV. Potential employers want to know that you can do the job. To that end, remember to avoid words such as May, Hope and Try. They want to know you will do your best and that you are the best person for the job. Also, make sure you proofread for grammar and spelling errors. Read through again and again and get someone else to do it for you as it is common not to spot your own errors. 

For a comprehensive Career Guide, visit Career Minded