The Basics of a Killer CV

Written by Oktay Asanov

After spending three-four years in University, finalizing that big project you were excited about, going beyond even your own expectations, and gaining new skills, it is time to do the hardest part – summarizing it all in your CV. Even when we put so much work into our projects, the fruit of our labour is not enough to speak for itself. You have to show it, write it, yell it, but the right way. 

After graduating from business school and attending numerous CV workshops, I still wasn’t sure what I was doing wrong. I knew that I needed to sell my experience, show how much I could offer and how “ambitious”, “hard-working”, and “motivated” I was. So why wasn’t I getting a job? 

Well, after applying for hundreds of jobs and changing my CV numerous times, I learned several lessons that can be applied to any type of resume. 

Things to Do:

1.         Tailor and Customize 

I wish I could tell you that you could write a great CV once and use it for every opportunity. Sorry, that isn’t the case. Recruiters of any kind want to see that you have put the effort in your application and one of the best ways to do to it is by customizing and tailoring your CV according to the job specifications. Therefore, your CV should consist only of the most relevant experience relating to the keywords in the description.  

2.         Keep it concise

Going back to point one – keep your CV concise and relevant. A CV is more like a Tinder Bio than an essay. Interesting, captivating and straight to the point. Stick to the golden rule of two pages. Size matters when it comes to your CV. The shorter the better.

3.         Clear Font & Design

Presentation makes an impression. Creative and modern CVs can work for certain jobs – especially those in the creative fields. However, nothing beats the classic A4 white sheet, Calibri and a size 11. 

4.         The Devil is in the Spelling

Spell check. Spell check. Spell check! A quick spell checks and eliminating those errors and can push your CV further than you think. Platforms such as Grammarly are your best friend – free and quick to use. Small details can make a difference, which brings us to our next point.

5.         Consistency is King 

Having a consistent and presentable CV shows that you bring attention to even the smallest things in your work. Going back to details such as font, design, and spelling, your CV should look and read as one consistent piece of work. Pay attention to the past and present tense – experiences in the present should only be written in the present tense, and past experiences only in the past tense.

6.         Reduce the Gaps 

Having gaps in your work experience makes it complicated for recruiters to get a full sense of your experience. Write a short and clear description of what you were up to during this time – you were a student, part-time work, essential training, or just travelling. Anything is better than a gap. 

7.         Order is Important 

Start with the present when it comes to your experience and education. What is your present or most current job, project or commission? What was the latest training you took? The fresher the experience the better. 

8.         Be Honest 

We have all changed aspects of our experiences to stand out from the crowd. CVs are meant to be flexible. That’s why Tailoring and Customizing are even first on our list. However, changing reality and even exaggerating your experience can be a dangerous game. You don’t need to lie about your experience. You already are a great candidate. The experiences you have accumulated are valid and worthy of great opportunities, so don’t put them under the rug. Be honest and most importantly – be proud.