How To Create a Killer CV

Building a killer CV is an investment. If you’ve been a job hunter for so long and you haven’t gotten a job yet, then perhaps, there’s something in your CV that signals the hiring manager to decline your application. As you may know, your CV is their preview of your profile. If they are not impressed after looking at your CV, then, it signals them that there’s nothing to look forward to.

That being the case, it’s time to sit back and take a careful look at your CV. Maybe you created your CV out of nowhere or you just used a random free template online, entered your information, and printed a couple of copies to be given away to companies.

If this is what you are doing, you’re doomed.

Worry not though. This article will show you how you can convert your mediocre CV to a killer CV that will make the next hiring manager call you immediately after they receive it.

4 Characteristics of a Killer CV

Straightforward

Don’t give the readers a headache when they check your CV. Contents included should be easy to understand. There’s no need to brag by using unnecessary highfalutin context. Make it as simple as ABC.

Systematic

Yes, you want your CV to be unique. However, being unique must not end up being disorganized. You need to follow the proper way of drafting your CV by using proper headings, bullets, etc. Do not jumble the information just to make it unique. There should be a flow when it is being read.

Synoptic

Your CV is just a preview of yourself. Do not write everything so that you do not run out of a story to tell during the interview. You should be sparing the most interesting part of you for the interview. Just write a synopsis of who you are.

Suggestive

Be direct and make your CV tell your story to the hiring manager. Your CV must be able to convey why you are the best fit for the job.

Anatomy of a Killer CV

Here are the sections you might want to include in your CV.

One Liner Description

Move away from the conventional start where your full name, contact number, and email address will be first seen. Yes, these are still a vital part of your CV. But instead of this information, create a one-liner description of yourself and place it on top of your CV. Your one-liner description must give the reader a hint of who you are, what you can offer, or what kind of employee you will be in case you get hired. When you draft your one-liner description, you have to know your worth and be proud, but never come off as entitled. You still need to be grounded.

A Compound Profile

This part comes after your one-liner description. You need to support your one-liner claim with a more compound description and explanation. You need to be cautious doing this part so you won’t end up writing an autobiography. Just briefly convey why you are the best fit for the job. You can also insert some contents regarding your aspirations and motivation. Do not put your accomplishments here. There is a separate section for that.

Competencies

This will be the portion where you can detail your skills. Be reminded that you must tailor-fit the skills that will be placed in this section mainly according to the job description you are applying for. The biggest mistake that you can ever do is to tell them that you’re a jack of all trades. They don’t need to know. Just focus on what is relative to the position you are applying for.

Professional Experience

Another important factor to note is that you must ensure that the information you share is tailor-fit to the job description you are applying for. You need not include all your previous companies. If you’re a first-time applicant, you can instead include here the training, seminars, OJT’s, and internships you had.

Academic Accomplishments

Do not just write the school you graduated from but also include the achievements if there are any. Added points if your achievements are relative to the job post you are applying for.

Bottom line – make your CV relevant and valuable because your CV is a living document that tells who you are as a professional. Building a good one is an investment where you can reap the ROI instantly because there’s a huge chance that you will get the job.

So, Goodluck!