How To Write A Professional Resume

Your CV as you know is your ticket to landing any dream job of your choice; and as such, should be treated accordingly.

It should take as much time and concentration as it would take you when preparing for an interview.

If you’ve ever been sidelined after applying for a job position, my experience usually tells it boils down to 2 things;

1. You’re maybe not qualified enough and

2. Your CV isn’t all that compelling.

While the #1 reason is really up to you, and I can’t do so much to make you more qualified ( of course I’d do that if I could), this article is meant for those who already pass the first checkbox but can’t pass the latter.

For the purpose of this article, it would be right if I explained the difference between CV, resume and cover letter.

I’m not surprised when I see a lot of people get confused between these 3 words- CV, resume and conversation letter.

Since they all refer to a piece of document you present to your job recruiter, shouldn’t they all be the same.

No, they are not.

CV and resume are synonymous to each other.

The only difference is in where they are being used.

Brits and all other Europeans call it a CV.

Americans call it a resume.

Is that clear?

Same document, different words for different people.

A cover letter on the other side, is a one-page document that you submit as part of your job application.

It briefly summarizes your professional background.

Now, that we know what all 3 words mean, let’s quickly dive into today’s topic.

There are so many tips online on how to create the perfect CV/resume.

A topic like this should produce a lot of opinions from different people.

People tell you the strategy they share is tested and trusted.

I don’t maybe disagree to that.

It’s not in my place to.

Due to the many tips online, some people have gone as far as hiring professional CV writers.

They do this to escape the stress that comes with setting up their own CV.

What if it didn’t have to be so stressful?

Imagine you knew how to this perfectly, would you still hire somebody?

I don’t particularly think so.

Well, if you still would, that is up to you.

But if you wouldn’t want to dash out money for what you can learn yourself, I got you.

I, for your sake, have filtered all the information there is on the net to easy, simplified steps that you can follow.

Shall we begin?

1. Create a stand-out CV design. After all, you have to stand out from hundreds of applications.

2. Choose one from the three CV formats: reverse-chronological, skill-based or combination.

3. Divide your CV and organise into sections.

4. Design a header with your personal information.

5. Start with a career summary or objective statement, depending on where you’re with your career.

6. Write an experience section using bulletpoints with power words and achievements.

7. Indicate your highest degree (together with academic accomplishments if you don’t have much relevant experience)

8. List key skills that correspond to the selection criteria from the job description to match the keywords.

9. Consider additional section, such as certificates, hobbies and interests, or volunteering and internships.

10. Attach a cover letter to your application, and you’re all set.

Now that you know this, check out Zety.com for real life examples on how you can do this.

Go get that job, buddy.

Reference: https://zety.com/blog/how-to-write-a-cv