How to Write a Great CV That Will Stand Out
Creating a curriculum vitae is an art form. Although you might not have any experience, you can still create something exemplary. By following the tips in this guide, your final result will be much more effective. That way, you will not need to apply to a ton of places. Since yours will be so good, you’ll get noticed right away. Of course, depending on your field, the amount of time will vary.
The Power of Quantifiable Statements
First and foremost, we must look at the way you phrase your statements. Plenty of people have illustrious careers. However, not all of them know how to describe their career. Undoubtedly, the way you present information impacts how readers receive it. With a favorable presentation, every word you say will be that much more powerful.
Measurable:
Most of the time, you’ll want to use statements of measurement. These are useful when you are in a professional setting. For example, suppose you boosted sales. If that is the case, you could report the yearly growth in company revenue. Put yourselves into the shoes of your interviewer. What would you want a potential employee to bring to the table?
Descriptive:
Everything you write down should be highly descriptive. At best, you’ll want to leave no questions in the mind of your reader. Otherwise, they could misinterpret what you are telling them. When that happens, it does not always end in something good. Nevertheless, you can avoid any confusion by being descriptive.
Ensuring It Is the Proper Length
Commonly, people are unsure how long that their curriculum vitae should be. In comparison to resumes, these are much longer generally. However, that does not mean you should create a novel. In some instances, it’s possible to elongate your document excessively. When that happens, it can be just as bad as if it were too short.
Too Short:
Since a curriculum vitae covers your whole life, it should have enough length to provide room. Without enough room, you will have to leave things out. For that reason, most curriculum vitae are at least several pages in length.
Too Long:
On the other hand, it’s also possible for you to be extra verbose. Most of the time, people believe that they are descriptive. However, it’s impossible for you to know how the people on the other end will receive your message. Generally speaking, you should expect your curriculum vitae to be between 1 and 2 pages long. If it is any longer than that, you might want to remove some of the material.
Specializing Your Curriculum Vitae for Specific Industries
Considering the variety of industries, a specialized curriculum vitae is not out of the question. In fact, when you specialize your CV, it can be even more efficient. As soon someone reads it, they will notice the particular details. If it has been customized, it shows that you care about the industry. You should always consider how other people will be acting. By customizing your curriculum vitae, you are putting forth additional effort. Most other people will not put forth that same effort. Thus, it’s an easy way for you to boost your profile. In our opinion, this can be one of the most significant aspects of a high-quality curriculum vitae.
Tailor it to the Industry:
How do you customize something for one industry? Well, one of the easiest ways is by using jargon. Jargon is a specific vocabulary relevant to a particular industry. These words will not be used in common parlance. Instead, they can serve as an indicator for people who have special expertise. When you can use these specialized words effectively, it demonstrates a level of competency that is difficult to find.
Change the Layout:
Depending on the field, some aspects of your curriculum vitae may be more relevant. For example, suppose you are aiming for a position in an academic faculty. If that is the case, you’ll want to emphasize your academic credentials. Therefore, it might be beneficial to highlight your academic awards. Suppose you have received several grants and scholarships. Then, in that case, you should list each of them. That way, you can demonstrate the things that made you qualify. On the other hand, in different industries, other factors will be more important. When that happens, you’ll want to rearrange the way you play things out on the page. By doing this, you’ll ensure that the most relevant information is shown first.
Enhanced Readability
Finally, much more than just cv design goes into a quality product. Of course, the style of your design will impact its readability. In addition, your grammar and vocabulary are important. If you submit something with a ton of errors, it does not leave a good impression on your reader. Suppose you are in a competitive industry. Then, even something as small as a spelling error could make a huge difference. If you are comparing two candidates, which would you choose? To us, the person who took the time to proofread their work would be the obvious candidate.
Proofread Before Submission:
Even though you take your time while writing, that does not mean you will produce an error-free manuscript. The only way you can ensure that happens is by proofreading. When you proofread, you give yourself a chance to catch errors. Then, you can correct them before you submit your curriculum vitae. That way, you’ll ensure that whatever your interviewer reads is flawless.
How to Make the Best Curriculum Vitae Possible
Besides proofreading, you should also double-check your word choice. In some instances, academic vocabulary may not be suitable. Depending on the particular audience, you’ll want to choose your words carefully. That way, nothing goes over the head of your reader. In effect, you’ll make it easy for them to connect with you.
