Try to remember the first time you tried hunting for a job. Was it during college or right after graduating? Regardless of the time, you probably didn’t have any idea where to even start!
For those trying to figure out how to write their CVs to land a job, don’t worry, help is here. In this article, you’ll learn how to create a CV and how you can take advantage of a CV maker for a standout one!
What goes into a CV for new graduates?
A CV, or curriculum vitae, is a summary of your employment experience, educational attainments, and skills. It’s typically used when applying for jobs in different fields and industries.
Your CV should be tailored to the job you’re applying for and highlight the relevant information that makes you the best candidate for the position. Here are some important sections to include:
-Personal information: This includes your name, contact information, and any other info that may be relevant (e.g., nationality, visa status).
-Education: This should include the name of your school and degree earned, as well as any honors or awards received.
-Skills: This should list any relevant skills that you have, such as foreign language fluency or programming languages.
-Publications: If you’ve published any papers, include them here.
-Awards and scholarships: If you’ve won any awards or scholarships, be sure to include them here.
Since you’re a new graduate, you’re not supposed to be expected to have a breadth of work experience in whatever field you’re applying in. However, if you’ve done paid part-time work, or even paid or unpaid internships, you should also include those. Make sure to write the name of the company, the period in which the work was rendered, a title – if any, and a short description of what you did and any milestones you may have achieved during your stint.
Tips for writing a CV
- Start with a strong introduction
The first thing that a potential employer will see is your CV’s introduction, so make sure to make a good impression! Your introduction should be concise and clear, and it should state what kind of position you’re interested in.
- Use an easy-to-read font
Choose a font that is easy to read especially with CVs that are text-heavy. Fonts such as Arial or Times New Roman are good choices to use.
- Use bullet points for easy scanning
When listing your work experience, education, and skills, use bullet points for easy scanning. This will make it easier for the recruiter to see the key information at a glance.
- Keep it to 2 pages max
If you’re a recent graduate, 1 page CV should suffice, but if during your time in college or university, you’ve had relevant internships or pertinent experiences, include those but remember your CV should not exceed 2 pages. If you have a lot of experience and education, consider condensing it to make sure that everything is included.
- Focus on your strengths
When writing your CV, focus on the skills and experience that make you the best candidate for the job. Try to avoid including information that is irrelevant or that can’t be backed up with facts.
- Use keywords
Including keywords in your CV will make it easier for the recruiter to find you in their database. Make sure to research the company’s website and use keywords that are relevant to the position you’re applying for.
- Proof and check for formatting errors
This should go without saying, but make sure to proofread your CV for any errors before sending it off. Before sending off your CV, be sure to check for any typos, grammatical mistakes, or mistakes in formatting. These can be a big turnoff for potential employers.
Use a CV Maker
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, or you’re not confident in your ability to write a professional-looking CV, or just simply don’t know where to start, using a CV maker can help you create one that’s polished and professional.
A CV maker will help you to compile all of your information in an easy-to-read format, and it will also help you to choose the right keywords for your CV. There are many different CV makers available online, so be sure to do your research before choosing one. Look for a CV maker that is user-friendly and that has a wide range of templates to choose from. One platform you can check out is Venngage. Apart from creating a CV from scratch, it also has well-designed pre-made templates that you can easily customize to make writing your CV even faster and easier.
Once you’re set on how you want your CV to flow or to look, be sure to follow the instructions and fill out all of the sections correctly. Remember to input all of your relevant information, including your education, work experience, and skills. And finally, don’t forget to proofread your CV for any errors!
Final thoughts
The job market is cut-throat, and it can be difficult to stand out from the rest of the crowd. A well-written CV is your best chance of getting the attention of a potential employer, so make sure to put in the effort to make yours stand out. If you’re not confident in your ability to write a CV on your own, don’t worry – CV makers were made for you! Just remember the tips mentioned above so you can create a CV that accurately represents you. Good luck job hunting!