When it comes to making your mark in the job market, your CV (curriculum vitae) is more than just a list of past jobs and educational achievements—it's your personal marketing document. It needs to show your skills, experience and potential in a way that grabs the attention of employers and recruiters.

Crafting an impressive CV can seem daunting, but with the right approach, you can create a document that represents you at your best. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process.

1. Understand the purpose of a CV

Your CV's main aim is to get you noticed and land you an interview. It should provide a clear overview of your qualifications, experience, skills and achievements. Remember that recruiters often spend just a few seconds scanning each CV, so grab their attention and make a strong first impression.

2. Choose the right format

So what type of CV should you create? It’s not a case of just listing your achievements. It’s important to choose the right format. The three main types are:

·        Chronological CV: Listing your work experience and education in reverse chronological order, this works best if you have a consistent work history.

·        Functional CV: Focusing on your skills and experiences, this is perfect if you’ve decided to change careers or you have some gaps in employment.

·        Combination CV: A mixture of the chronological and functional formats. Great for those with a strong skills and relevant work experience.

Pick the format that highlights your strengths and connects the most with the job you are applying for.

3. Start with contact information

It can be tempting to focus on your qualifications and experience and forget to actually include your contact info. No point in applying for a job, if they can’t contact you! Start your CV with your contact information at the top.

Include:

·        Full name

·        Phone number

·        Email address

·        LinkedIn profile (if you have one)

·        Professional website or portfolio

Make sure that your contact information is current and professional. And avoid using unprofessional email addresses – beerchugger23@gmail.com is probably not the best idea when wanting to appear professional!

4. Create a compelling personal statement

The dreaded personal statement can sometimes be a challenge to write. Where do you start? How can you sell yourself without sounding arrogant?

Begin with writing a summary at the beginning of your CV that highlights your key skills, experience and career goals. Aim for 3-4 sentences that capture who you are and what you bring to the table. And remember to tailor this section so that it makes sense to the job you are applying for.

For example:

"As a dynamic marketing professional, I have over five years of experience in digital advertising. I enjoy developing data-driven strategies that boost brand visibility and engagement. I am looking for a challenging role where I can use my expertise in social media marketing and content creation to drive business growth."

5. Highlight your professional experience

Now you get to show what you can really do. List your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position. And don’t be shy. Make sure you let them know what skills and achievements you’ve achieved.

For each job, include:

·        Job title

·        Company name

·        Location

·        Dates of employment

·        Key responsibilities and achievements

Focus on achievements and results rather than just listing duties which can seem boring and lacking in specifics. The best thing is to provide specific examples to demonstrate the impact you’ve had.

Example:

“I developed and implemented a social media strategy that increased followers by 50%. It also drove engagement up by 75% in six months.

I managed a team of five content creators, which led to a 20% increase in productivity.”

6. Emphasise your education

An essential part of your CV, you should highlight your educational background. They are usually included in reverse chronological order.

For each entry, provide:

·        Degree or qualification

·        Institution name

·        Graduation date

·        Relevant coursework, honours, or awards (if applicable)

If you have don’t have much or limited work experience, a good tip is to place this section before your professional experience. That way you can put your qualifications squarely in your interviewer’s mind, before they move onto your experience.

7. Show your key skills

It’s always a good idea to have a section that is solely relevant to the job you are applying for. These can be hard skills (e.g., programming languages, software proficiency) and soft skills (e.g., communication, leadership). Use the keywords from the job description to tailor this section. That way, you can show the interviewer how you would fit in nicely to the position and role that they need.

Example:

1.        Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

2.       Strong project management skills with a track record of meeting deadlines.

3.       Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

8. Include certificates and any professional development

If you have relevant certifications, training, or professional development courses, include them in a separate section. This is your time to showcase what you’ve studied for, what you’ve achieved and how you are qualified to apply for the position.

If you feel that you don’t have as many certificates as you would like, don’t worry. Just include what you do have and emphasis your interest in the job and why you want to work in that particular industry. Doing this demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning and staying updated in your field.

9. Add extra sections

If you feel that your CV needs expanding slightly, depending on your background and the job you are applying for, consider adding other sections.

These could be:

Languages

This doesn’t mean your holiday Spanish that helps you find the train station, or ‘how to buy a baguette’ in French. List languages in which you are thoroughly proficient and can hold a good conversation in.

Volunteer experience

You might be surprised just what volunteer work could be relevant to the job you’re applying for. Think about anything you’ve done that has transferable skills, regardless of whether it’s in the same industry or not.

Professional affiliations and publications

Mentioning any memberships in relevant professional organisations you have will be a point in your favour at any interview. Also include any published work or significant presentations you’ve been involved with. These can all show your interest in the industry and the potential you have to be committed to the job.

10. Remember to proofread and edit

Before sending your CV, make sure to proofread it multiple times to catch any spelling, grammar or formatting errors. Consider asking a friend to review it as well.

There’s nothing worse than sending a CV to a hiring manager with spelling mistakes and a confusing or stilted personal statement. Make sure everything flows well and gives the absolute best impression of you. A polished, error-free CV reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.

11. Tailor your CV for each job application

Customise your CV for each job application by connecting your skills and experiences with the job description. You can do this by highlighting the most relevant aspects of your background and use keywords from the job posting.

For example, if the job advertisement specifies remote working, you can explain any previous jobs where you’ve either worked from home or have experience in independent working and managing your own caseload.

This increases the chances of your CV catching the eye of recruiters.

Get to it!

Creating an impressive CV is a critical step in your job search journey. By following this step-by-step guide, you can craft a CV that showcases your strengths, experiences and potential. And if you need any help, Lyons Tales Editing is here with advice on how to personalise your CV further.

Remember to keep it concise, tailored and professional. With a standout CV in hand, you'll be well on your way to landing your next job interview and advancing your career. Good luck!