A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is an official document that offers the employer an overview of your Professional and Educational history in other words; it explains the applicant without the presence of the applicant.
READ ALSO: (CHECKLIST): GENERAL INTERVIEW GUIDELINES FOR GRADUATE JOB EMPLOYMENT
A curriculum vita is an important document any job applicant should possess. Jobs vacancies published online always include a resume as the major document for applying for the job.
When you eventually get an opportunity to be invited for an interview what will determine your success is how well you can defend the content in your CV.
Most graduate finds it difficult to write a quality CV, due to lack of experience and guidance and therefore there is pressure to falsify the information you add into your CV, this singular act has caused many their dream jobs.
This article creates more emphasis on the template for a quality CV that will earn you an interview opportunity against all odd. This article further explains the difference between a CV and a curriculum vitae. It also describes procedures in drafting a professional CV to better your odds for any job opening.
Many graduates are caught up with a situation of not acquiring enough experience to fill up and pad into their CV, a wrong misconception is having a CV with 3 or more pages better you’re odd for the job than a CV with only a page
You can consider it a marketing document because its purpose is to sell you to a prospective employer. Make sure to address how your previous achievements and skills will bring value and solve their current challenges.
WHAT IS THE FORMAT OF A CV?
Table of Contents
There is no standard format for writing a cv in the 21st century, although there are acceptable format and the only factor that should matter when rating a cv is readability, neatness and straight to the point, most importantly no falsification of information.
However, In case you are wondering what format to choose for your CV, keep in mind that the recommended CV layout by recruiters and employers is one column, especially when the length is over one page.
Important on the list is the hierarchy of information, Remember to arrange your previous Professional Experience, Projects, and Achievements, Volunteer Work, etc. in chronological order starting from recent. Always start your CV with your basic information, educational background, Skills/Expertise and previous relevant Work Experience as the main sections.
for a professional cv format, check the sample here
INFORMATION TO INCLUDE IN A RESUME
Personal details:
Objectives: purpose for applying
Experience: job experience
Leadership position: if any
Skills: Computer skills, personal skills, professional skill
Education: your education history starting from the recent
References: add some references with their contact.
I really want to emphasise on the references sections, most often it is always wise not to include any references in your CV, instead, indicate that references will only be available on demand.
Let me emphasis, most times, contacts of your references may not be available after submitting your application or you may have issues with any of your references after you cv has been submitted as such whenever the company you applied for contact your reference, they feed them with wrong information about you just to tarnish your image in front of the employers.
CV WRITING TIPS
- Improve on the readability
- Ensure chronological order from more recent
- Do not falsify your information
- Keep a simple format
- Ensure no break-in date hierarchy
- Proof reading
HOW MANY PAGES CAN A CV HAVE?
Like I made mention in the introductory part that number of pages does not matter for a cv writing, as a fresh graduate from the tertiary institution with little or no working experience, a page cv is ideal maximum of 2. For those with 3 or four years’ experience you CV can get up two or more pages. This is not a determinant for getting and interview for job, your suitability for the job would.
There are dedicated and professional CV writers that can assist you if you still find it a challenge to develop your CV or you have any question contact us using the comment section below.
