CV Advice

Tips on how to write your CV

CV Heading

In the CV heading you can write your general information:

  • Name 
  • Surname 
  • Local address 
  • E-mail address 
  • Phone number

Include your mobile phone number if you are going to relocate soon.

CV Skills Summary

The Skills Summary section of your CV includes your main skills. You should only include keywords in his section, do not go into lengthy descriptions of your skills. The skill summary is also called personal profile.

CV Objective

The CV Objective, sometimes also referred to as CV Personal Profile states "What is the next step in my career?" This should be a short, concise statement that informs the employer what kind of position you are looking for. The type of position, the role (managerial, supervisor, contractor) should be included as well.

If you are applying for various jobs that are all in the same industry, you could write a profile that applies to all jobs in that particular industry. However it is preferable if you write your personal profile for each individual position.

If the profile is tailor-made to the job vacancy then the employer will read the rest of the CV whilst bearing in mind that you are a possible match. A personal profile on your CV is a teaser or hook so the employer will investigate further by reading the rest of your CV.

Keywords are a powerful tool in your CV and should be used! Use keywords to summarize your experience. Keywords will also help ensure that your CV comes up when employers search in their CV databases.

If you are job hunting it is a good idea to have several CV's with different profiles or objectives. For example, you can have a CV for a sales supervisor and the other for a shop floor manager. Your 'sales supervisor' CV can highlight achievements in this area, and the CV would be tuned to that particular in terms of job descriptions and achievements.

Education on your CV

List all of your qualifications in this section. Include all of your education including certifications from non-academic institutions, especially those that are related to the job vacancy. If you have more work experience than qualifications, put your work experience before your qualifications.

Professional or Work Experience description on your CV

This section includes any work experience that you have in the field you are applying for. Even if the post was unpaid, voluntary, summer job, internship, co-op experience or extracurricular activity. When listing these work experiences include what kind of job was it (internship/full time/ part time etc). Each job detail should include this basic information 

  • Title of position
  • Length you held the post 
  • Responsibilities 
  • Name of organization.

Include also languages (spoken/written/understood), Computer Skills (include title of software package and proficiency level), Research Skills and other skills that are not in the rest of your CV.

The Activities and Interests Section in your CV

Any activities that you do in your free time, can be related to your job. If you worked in the school paper it shows initiative and you are willing to make sacrifices in order to further your career. Participating in student activities, professional associations or enthusiast clubs shows leader ship qualities. Leave out any activities related to politics religion or controversial topics to avoid alienating the reader.