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To Write a good CV, here are some CV writing tips that will help you land your dream:

1. Make it unique

Don’t have a CV that’s too long. 1-2 pages will do just fine however this is dependent on the amount of experience you have. Space out all the information so that your CV is not clustered. Having a colorful CV and a picture doesn’t make your CV good. It’s the content that does.

2. BIO

Have a strong personal statement/summary that tells the recruiter a bit about yourself and also positions you as something. So many people fall into the trap of listing skills in their bio, that they forget to tell the recruiters a little bit about themselves.

3. SKILLS

When listing skills in your CV, make sure you have 3 types of skills listed. Have a balance between your transferable/functional skills, (e.g analytical skills), personal traits/attributes (e.g patience), and knowledge-based skills (e.g accounting).

4. WORK EXPERIENCE

When listing your work experience, keep your job descriptions brief and straight to the point highlighting what your role was. Make sure you have your job title and the years you worked at a specific job. Always use action verbs when listing your work experience.

5. Education

Avoid listing every subject or module from your school or university. Instead, focus on:

– The institutions you attended

– The qualifications you earned

– A brief summary of what each qualification equips you with

You can refer to the prospectus if you need assistance with summarizing your qualifications.

6. THE NITTY GRITTY

Proofreading is so important. Make sure you pay attention to detail. Check your spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Ensure everything is consistent including your Fonts. Also, make sure that your CV isn’t too clustered and is easy on the eye.

7. THINGS TO AVOID

– Using generic cliches like “passionate, self-motivated, dedicated”

– Not tailoring your CV for each job application. Your CV is not a one-size-fits-all

– Not using keywords related to the vacancy

– Excessive word repetition

– Having a super long CV

8. Always tell the truth

Do not lie in your CV to get the job because your lies will catch up with you. However, do not sell yourself short. Don’t be afraid to show that you are the right person for the job.

9. Your CV is like a sales document

It sells who you are and what you can do. It’s a valuable asset for opening doors of possibility. So put in the effort, it really goes a long way, and remember that the first impression lasts. Present yourself correctly.

10. 12 components to include in your CV

• Contact Information

This includes your full name, phone number, email address, and possibly a professional online profile like LinkedIn. Avoid including sensitive information like your social security number, passport number, account number.

• Objective Statement or Professional Summary

This is a brief statement that outlines your career goals and why you would be a good fit for the position. A professional summary can be used instead of an objective, to showcase your skills, accomplishments, and experience.

• Skills

This section should be tailored to the job you’re applying for. Highlight both your hard skills (e.g., proficiency in a foreign language or computer software) and soft skills (e.g., problem-solving or teamwork).

• Work Experience

Start with your most recent job and work backwards. Include the company name, your title, the dates you were employed, and a brief summary of your duties and achievements.

• Education

Like the work experience section, start with your most recent education experience and work backwards. Include the institution name, your degree, your field of study, and the dates you attended. If you’re a recent graduate, you may also include your GPA if it’s strong.

• Certifications and Licenses

If you’ve earned any relevant certifications or licenses, include them in this section.

• Achievements and Awards

If you have any notable achievements or awards from your career or education, they can be listed in this section.

• Volunteer Work

Many employers value community involvement, so include any volunteer work, especially if it’s related to your field.

• Professional Affiliations

Include any professional organizations that you’re a member of. This can demonstrate your commitment to your field.

• References

While it’s not necessary to list your references on your CV, it’s often helpful to include a statement such as “References available upon request.”

• Publications or Presentations

If you’ve been published in a professional journal, or given a presentation at a conference, include the details here.

• Personal Interests (optional)

Some people choose to include a section on their interests and hobbies. This can give potential employers a sense of your personality and what you might bring to the team. However, keep it professional and relevant.

Those are are some CV writing tips that will help you land your dream. Remember, your CV is often your first opportunity to make an impression on a potential employer, so make sure it’s well-written, well-organized, and free of errors.

In this very important guide, you will learn how to write a brilliant attention-grabbing CV that is guaranteed to significantly increase your chances of getting hired. If you are applying for any job role with any organization, make sure you read this guide from start to finish, because the tips, sample CV, and cover letter will help you get hired.

To help you get hired at the first attempt, this guide will teach you the following four things:

• The purpose of a CV and cover letter and what the hiring manager will use them for. If you understand what a CV and cover letter are used for as part of the hiring process, your chances of success will increase significantly.
• Seven sections to include in your CV.
• A brilliant CV personal statement and cover letter to write down that are guaranteed to grab the attention of the hiring manager.
• Some brilliant ready-made CV templates and cover letter examples.

What is CV?

A CV, or Curriculum Vitae, is a document that provides a detailed summary of a person’s education, work experience, skills, certificates, achievements and accomplishments. It is typically used in job applications, academic settings, and various professional contexts to showcase an individual’s qualifications and suitability for a particular role or opportunity.

A CV should ideally be no more than 2-3 sides of A4. It must be free from grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes. Now, along with your cover letter, the CV is the first thing a hiring manager will read to quickly determine whether you have the necessary skills, experience, and passion to do the job properly. And a cover letter is a single-page professional letter that you submit along with your CV when applying for any job.

Cover Letter

A COVER LETTER is a single-page professional letter you submit with your CV when applying for any job. The cover letter is a piece of persuasive writing that shows your passion for the job and why you have applied.

Seven Sections to Include in Your CV

Below are the seven sections to include in your CV to make it appealing to any hiring manager:

• CV SECTION 1: CONTACT DETAILS

At the top of your CV, include your name, email address, and direct contact number. Make sure the answerphone message assigned to your contact number sounds professional. If the hiring manager calls you to invite you along to an interview, and they get an unprofessional answerphone message, they may hang up.

• CV SECTION 2: PERSONAL STATEMENT

This is one of the most important parts of your CV. Your personal statement is a short introductory statement that outlines your key skills and qualities and why you will be a great fit for the job you have applied for. The personal statement should explain your passion for the role and include details as to why you stand out from the competition. Your personal statement should be between 200 and 300 words long.

• CV SECTION 3: EDUCATION BACKGROUND

In this part of your CV, include details of the schools, colleges, and universities you have attended, subjects studied, and grades attained. Write these in chronological order – this means putting your most recent education achievements first.

• CV SECTION 4: WORK EXPERIENCE

In this next important part of your CV, you should include details of, again in chronological order, your work history. Make sure you include the name of the employer, the position you held, and brief details of your main responsibilities. In this section, you can also include details of voluntary work and work experience placements.

• CV SECTION 5: ACHIEVEMENTS

In this next section of your CV, write down brief details in bullet points of any key achievements you have gained in life so far. Ideally, these will come from previous work positions, but you can also include details of professional certifications and training courses completed, honors and awards, languages, sporting achievements, and charity work.

• CV SECTION 6: HOBBIES AND INTERESTS

In this next section of your CV, write down brief details, again in bullet points, of your hobbies and interests. Good hobbies and interests include physical fitness activities, team sports, playing musical instruments, being a part of community groups and societies, and reading to name just a few.

• CV SECTION 7: REFERENCES

A reference is a professional individual willing to vouch for your credibility as an employee and your ability to do the job competently in the role you have applied for.

90% of candidates put ‘REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST’ on this section of their CV, but this is not actually 100% good. Including the names of two people who are willing to act as a reference for you is good. Make sure you ask their permission first before including them on your CV. If the hiring manager sees the names of two people who will vouch for your professionalism, it will definitely increase the chances of you getting invited to an interview.

SAMPLE CV

PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLE

Below is a brilliant example personal statement that is guaranteed to grab the attention of the hiring manager. This is a Personal statement for all job roles.

“I am a highly motivated and results-driven professional with a diverse background and a proven track record of success. My passion for this industry has driven me to continuously seek opportunities for growth and development, making me a versatile candidate for a wide range of job roles.

I have a track record of achievement, which I will replicate in this position. In my last role, I was praised by my manager for my flexibility with my job description and how I contributed new ideas to help the company grow.

I am known for my exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, which enable me to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and convey complex ideas in a clear and concise manner. I thrive under pressure and am adept at prioritizing tasks to meet important deadlines.

Furthermore, my commitment to continuous improvement drives me to stay up-to-date with industry trends and emerging technologies. I am confident that my adaptability, teamwork, and dedication make me a valuable asset to any organization.

I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my skills and expertise to a forward-thinking company like [Insert Company Name].

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of attending an interview where I can discuss how my background aligns with your needs and how I can make a positive impact on your team.”

COVER LETTER FOR CVs and RESUMES FOR JOB APPLICATIONS

Dear Sir/Madam,

RE: Application for [INSERT NAME OF JOB ROLE]

I am attaching my CV supporting my application to work at [INSERT COMPANY NAME] in the position of [INSERT NAME OF POSITION].

Having studied the job description carefully, I believe my skills, qualities, knowledge, and experience will empower me to contribute positively to your team and give you a great return on my salary.

While I respect and appreciate that you will have many strong candidates, I genuinely believe my passion for this industry, strong worth ethnic, and values that align with your company’s make me an ideal candidate.

I am seeking long-term employment with your company. My commercial awareness and flexibility with my job description mean I can add value to your team and help you achieve your commercial goals.

Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward for hearing from you soon.

Yours faithfully,

[INSERT YOUR NAME]

CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER

How to Tailor Your Resume to Specific Job Description: Tailoring your resume to the specific job description that you are applying to can often be advised, as it helps recruiters better understand how you are a good fit for the company, and helps job searchers pass screening checks that utilise Applicant Tracking Systems.

There are certain strategies and best practices that you can employ when trying to tailor your resume to a specific job description or posting. These strategies include:

Above all being truthful: If the job truly is not a good fit, this fact will likely come out during the interview process, or worse, in the course of your new job. Lying to get hired is never advisable and under certain conditions can constitute a criminal offence;

Understand the job description: Carefully read the job posting and identify the required qualifications and skills. Take note of specific keywords and phrases used throughout the description.

Match your qualifications: Review your general resume and compare it to the job requirements. Place your key qualifications prominently in the top half of your resume, such as in the summary and experience sections. Use a format (e.g., reverse-chronological, functional, or combination) that highlights your most relevant experiences.

Update your summary: Customise your summary section to showcase your most relevant skills and accomplishments using the keywords from the job description. Include the job title you’re applying for to personalise your resume.

Customise your work history: Tailor your work history section to highlight experiences that align with the job requirements. Remove or minimize positions that are less relevant. Use the job description’s keywords in the bulleted lists and prioritise the most relevant responsibilities or tasks.

Include measurable results: Enhance your experience section by incorporating quantifiable data and achievements that demonstrate the impact you made in previous roles. Highlight specific results and outcomes to showcase your value.

Update your skills section: Add any remaining relevant skills to your skills section, prioritising those mentioned in the job description. Include preferred skills that can differentiate you as a top candidate.

Proofread and align: Carefully proofread your resume for grammar and spelling errors. Ensure that the language you use aligns with the keywords and phrases from the job description. Check if your summary accurately reflects the job requirements and if each bullet point in your work history relates to the job responsibilities.

What are common mistakes in Canadian resumes and how can I avoid them?

Some common mistakes that newcomers can make when trying to write an effective Canadian resume include:

Using the same resume for different job applications: It may be tempting to use a generic resume for multiple positions, especially when applying to numerous jobs. However, customizing your resume for each job significantly improves your chances of being selected. Look for keywords in the job posting and incorporate them into your resume. Also, include relevant experiences and remove non-essential items.

Not reading the job description before creating your resume: Reading the job description provides valuable information about the role and the ideal candidate. It helps you tailor your resume accordingly and include keywords that match the job requirements. Balance the use of keywords for the applicant tracking system (ATS) while ensuring readability for human recruiters.

Listing job responsibilities instead of achievements: Canadian resumes focus on highlighting achievements rather than just outlining responsibilities. Emphasize what you brought to a company or team as an individual, mentioning accomplishments, numbers, data, or challenges overcome. Stand out from other applicants with similar experience by showcasing your unique contributions.

Creating a resume that’s too long or too short: The length of your resume depends on the specific job and your work experience. Generally, resumes should be one to two pages long. If you have more experience, a two-page resume is acceptable, while one page is suitable for those with less experience. Tailor your resume by removing early-career experiences as you progress in your career.

Not using action verbs: To make your resume impactful, use action verbs that demonstrate your initiative and achievements. Avoid passive phrases and instead use verbs like “led,” “managed,” “succeeded,” “surpassed,” “created,” and “delivered.” Vary your word choices to avoid repetition.

Submitting a cluttered or improperly formatted resume: Organizse your resume in a clean and easy-to-read manner. Use sufficient white space, appropriate line spacing, and consistent fonts (e.g., Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri). Avoid mixing fonts, excessive bolding, underlining, or italicising.

Listing inaccurate contact information: Ensure your contact information is accurate and up to date, including your phone number and email address. Use a professional email address formatted with your name, avoiding nicknames or slang language.

In this educative article, you will learn how to write the perfect CV if you have no previous work experience.

If you are applying for any job with any company and you need to submit a CV, but you have no previous work experience, make sure you read this article from start to finish because it will help you.

HOW TO WRITE A CV WITH NO EXPERIENCE

To help you write a CV with no experience, this is what this article will cover:

• Important tips for writing and structuring a CV if you have no previous work experience. These tips will help you quickly understand what you need to include in your CV when you have no experience.
• 10 powerful sentences to include in your CV personal statement if you have no experience.
• An example, fully explained personal statement to use on your CV.

Important tips for writing and structuring a CV if you have no previous experience

CV WRITING NO EXPERIENCE TIP 1: Keep your CV to just two sides of A4.

If you want to grab the attention of the hiring manager, keep your CV to the point, relevant and succinct if you want it to be successful.

Remember, the hiring manager has many CVs to assess, so it’s important that yours is punchy, positive, and applicable to the position you have applied for.

CV WRITING NO EXPERIENCE TIP 2: When structuring your CV, if you have no experience, only include the following six sections:

• CV SECTION 1 – PERSONAL DETAILS

Within this first section of your CV, include your full name, home address, contact telephone number, and email.

If your contact telephone number is your mobile, make sure you have a professional sounding answerphone message.

• CV SECTION 2 – PERSONAL STATEMENT

Your personal statement is the first thing the hiring manager will read about you and your suitability for the position. Keep your personal statement positive, sell yourself, and focus on what you will do for their company if they choose to hire you.

As we proceed, you will learn the perfect personal statement to use if you have no previous experience.

• CV SECTION 3 – EDUCATION

In section three, include details of the schools, colleges or universities you attended in chronological order.

Chronological order is the schools or colleges you attended from first to last. Also, in this section of your CV include the subjects you’ve studied and the academic qualifications or grades you achieve.

• CV SECTION 4 – RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

In this section of your CV include details of any work or relevant experience you have gained.

This can include part-time jobs, jobs you have undertaken at home on a regular basis; societies or groups you have been a part of, or even sporting teams you have been in.

• CV SECTION 5 – ACHIEVEMENTS

In this next section of your CV, include any significant achievements you have gained in your life so far. This can be team event achievements, including trophies or awards won, charity or sponsored events you have completed, or even inclusion in a student-related publication.

If you can include one or more significant achievements in your CV, it tells the hiring manager that you have a track record of success, which you can easily replicate in the workplace.

• CV SECTION 6 – REFERENCES

In this final part of your CV, make sure you include the contact details of one or two references. A reference is a person the hiring manager can contact to verify who you are and confirm that you are a good person who will be able to add value to their company in the role.

Some people put the words references available on request in this section of their CV, but this will not help your chances. Good references can include former teachers, work experience managers, or even family, friends, or acquaintances who have jobs of interest, including doctors, solicitors, and other good standing careers.

Make sure you contact the reference for their permission before including them on your CV.

CV WRITING NO EXPERIENCE TIP 3: When writing your brilliant CV, if you have no experience, make sure it is readable and free from spelling or grammar mistakes/errors.

If there are any errors on your CV, it will get rejected because it demonstrates a lack of attention to detail.

CV WRITING NO EXPERIENCE TIP 4: It is absolutely vital that you include powerful words and phrases in your CV.

Because you have no previous work experience, you have to sell yourself using great words that demonstrate you are positive, forward thinking, and you genuinely want to help their business or organization succeed in the role that you will occupy.

10 POWERFUL CV STATEMENT TO USE IN YOUR CV PERSONAL STATEMENT IF YOU HAVE NO EXPERIENCE

Below are 10 brilliant sentences to use in your CV personal statement if you have no previous work experience.

Powerful CV Sentence 1:

“I am industrious, diligent, hard-working, and I will ensure I quickly add value to your team in this position if you hire me.”

Powerful CV Sentence 2:

“I will always take ownership of my ongoing professional development to ensure you see a positive return on your investment.”

Powerful CV Sentence 3:

“I am a fast learner, which means you won’t have to spend your valuable time closely supervising or monitoring me.”

Powerful CV Sentence 4:

“Although I do not have any work experience yet, I more than make up for this with my enthusiastic nature, my positive attitude, and my willingness to learn from others.”

Powerful CV Sentence 5:

“During my education, I learned the importance of making sure I prioritized my studies, supported other students, and completed everything on time and to the right standard.

The transferable skills I acquired during my studies are ones that I will take forward into the workplace.”

Powerful CV Sentence 6:

“I am a resilient, confident, and determined person who will always act as a positive role model for your organization in this position.”

Powerful CV Sentence 7:

“I consider myself to be a hardworking, self-motivated, and trustworthy person. I am a flexible and adaptable individual who works well both in a team environment as well as on my own initiative.”

Powerful CV Sentence 8:

“I am commercially aware, which means I understand how important it is to help my employer grow, improve, save money, and maintain its position as a market leader.”

Powerful CV Sentence 9:

“Because I am new to the working environment, I am effectively a blank canvas, which means you can train me up to be a productive and high-performing member of your team.”

Powerful CV Sentence 10:

“I have a genuine desire to learn as much as possible, which means I will always be willing to carry out duties that are outside of my job description.”

A BRILLIANT, POSITIVE CV PERSONAL STATEMENT THAT IS PERFECT IF YOU HAVE NO WORK EXPERIENCE

Below is a brilliant positive CV personal statement that is perfect if you have no work experience:

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to apply for this position. I would describe myself as a hard-working, conscientious, positive, and industrious person who is keen to start work in a productive team environment.

During my studies, I learned the importance of being disciplined, completing my work on time and to a high standard, and supporting other students in their work. Outside of work I keep myself fit and active and I have a passion for self-development through reading non-fiction books and studying online training courses.

My skills and qualities are a strong match for the job description. The fact that I am new to the working environment means you will be hiring a very passionate and dedicated worker, and someone who can bring new and fresh ideas to the team that will ensure your company maintains its position as a market leader.”

That’s how to write the perfect CV, if you have no previous work experience.

What is the difference between CV and resume? Is there any difference? Or we can use it interchangeably? What differentiates between CV and Resume? Let start off by defining, or rather explaining both the resume and a CV.

A resume is a short, straight-to-the point, document created for the purpose of applying to a specific job. While a CV is a very in-depth document that describes your career journey step-by-step, including all sorts of your work experience.

When it comes to Americans, they use only resume. When it comes to British, they use only CV. In Australia, people use both resume and CV. In India, both resume and CV are used.

Both documents (CV and Resume) are important when it comes to job application, but they serve different purpose.

When you’re talking about a resume, a resume is a shorter version of a CV. What you’ll find with a resume, you emphasize more of your achievements as opposed to a CV which can be lengthy and includes all the information about the jobs, the qualifications, and the experiences that you’ve had.

So mostly you’ll find a CV may be an ideal CV, especially if you’re someone who has experience, let’s say you’ve worked for over four years and above, you’ll find a CV can be three or four pages. Whereas a resume, it should be quite brief and to the point. So it’s always recommended for a resume not to go beyond two pages.

In Africa, you’ll find mostly what’s applicable, majority of the HR managers, employers, recruiters will require a CV from you. The wrong format. On the other side, in the Western world, most of them you go for a resume.

Here an employer would want to get to know you in detail, which is more of a practice because it’s not something which is written somewhere that you have to send a CV, but you find over time that is what majority of the employers have adopted.

However, it doesn’t mean you can’t send a resume, but it’s good to have that at the back of your mind. There are so many changes in job search, for example, nowadays we even talk about an ATS CV. A lot of employers would also require you to fill a form as opposed to you even applying directly. Those are just some of the things to have in mind.

CV and Resume Sample Template

When to use a Resume and when to use a CV

• Use a Resume when you are highly experienced

If you’re an experienced professional and you have a track record, then a resume would be more applicable than a CV. Why? Because you build a profile, you do have achievements, right. For example, let’s say you are working as a Chief Accountant, it goes without saying that whoever is looking to hire a Chief Accountant, if that’s the job title you’re applying, they more or less have an idea of who a Chief Accountant is.

Briefly, what is required of you in a resume is for you to summarize what were you doing as a Chief Accountant, your major responsibilities. No more than three sentences and in a paragraph form. Then what you then highlight are more of achievements, and you can indicate three or four as opposed to a CV where it will be heavy on the job description, on the tasks that you used to perform, and then you don’t have one or two achievements.

Also, there are also employers who are quite specific. Some will ask for a resume and some will ask for a CV. If you encounter one who’s asking for a resume, it goes without saying that you’ve got to use a resume.

• Use a CV when you have less experience

If you’re starting in your career and you don’t have much to show in terms of experience or let’s say you are really not experienced, then is preferable you use the CV because then you’ll be able to capture your experience in a broader way and someone can be able to pick on the transferable skills.

Difference Between a CV and a Resume (Sample Template)

In summary

Difference Between CV and RESUME

A difference is in the size, which means the length of the resume or CV. Resume generally is over one or two pages maximum, whereas CV goes beyond two pages.

Another major difference is in the purpose. Resume is a whole sum of your career, which means a summary of your career so far, does not mean you miss out some of the experiences, some of the great qualities. You don’t miss out that, yet it is just the summary of your entire career so far.

Whereas in CV, you mentioned, all the responsibilities, what all you have done, your achievements in detail.

If you want to be really sure of what to use, resume or CV, if you are into academic profession or you are into research or you are applying for scholarship, you should use CV or else, resume works wonderfully in all sorts of jobs.

Among the key differences between a resume and a curriculum vitae, or CV, include the document’s length, its contents and purpose. However, most employers in English-speaking countries now prefer resumes, while employment seekers in continental Europe favor the CV format.

How to Write Resume for Job: To apply for any job, you are going to have to submit a powerful resume, a resume that is going to grab the attention of the hiring manager.

In this guide you will learn exactly what to include on your own resume, and also the exact structure to use. If you are applying for any job whatsoever, make sure you read this guide from start to finish.

How to write a POWERFUL Resume or CV for Job

To help you write a resume that is guaranteed to get you invited to interview, this guide will cover the following three things:

• Five (5) easy to implement tips for writing a powerful, winning resume.
• The exact structure to use when writing your resume. This includes the seven sections you should always include on any resume.
• The perfect personal statement to include on your resume that the hiring manager is going to love.

5 EASY-TO-IMPLEMENT GOLDEN TIPS FOR WRITING THE PERFECT RESUME OR CV

Below are five easy to implement tips, golden tips for writing the perfect resume:

• TIP #1: Keep your resume relatively short (2 pages is all you need).

Remember, the hiring manager will have many resumes to sift through, and it is vital you keep yours short, powerful, and to the point.

• TIP #2: Make sure your resume is easy-to-read.

The information you provide on your resume should be placed in a specific order, and also make sure you use simple but professional-looking font such as aerial.

• TIP #3: When writing your resume focus on any previous achievements you have gained that show you can ADD VALUE to their company in the role.

This is a great tip, where possible include numbers on your resume.

Statements such as:

“In my previous role, I helped the company increase sales by 25%. This was achieved via targeted social media marketing campaigns and a focus on improving customer service.”

Any numbers will really stand out on your resume, and they allow a hiring manager to see how you are going to ADD VALUE to their company.

• TIP #4: Get your resume proofread before you send it off.

If there is one spelling mistake, or if your resume is littered with grammar or punctuation errors, you will not get invited to interview. Errors on your resume give the impression that you lack standards and attention to detail, so make sure you get someone to read it over before you submit it.

• TIP #5: Focus on using ACTIVE LANGUAGE when constructing your resume.

Active language includes words that perform a specific ACTION. For example, words such as performed, targeted, managed, built, developed, launched, and formulated are all examples of ACTIVE LANGUAGE that focus on the ACTION you took in previous roles.

HOW TO STRUCTURE YOUR RESUME OR CV

Below are the exact structure to use when writing your resume. These are the different sections you should include.

As previously mentioned, your resume should only be 2 pages in length because this makes it easy for the hiring manager to read and it also enables them to quickly decide whether they want to invite you to interview.

Because you are only working with 2-pages, you need to use a concise structure that covers everything the hiring manager wants to see. Make sure you include the following seven (7) sections on your resume.

RESUME SECTION 1 – Personal Details And Contact Information.

At the start of your resume, include your name, your address, email and contact telephone number. Don’t forget, make sure any answer phone message on your cell phone is professional sounding.

If the hiring manager calls you to invite you along to an interview and they get an unprofessional sounding answer phone message, they may hang up.

RESUME SECTION 2 – Personal Statement.

The personal statement is the first thing the hiring manager will read. Therefore, it needs to grab their attention. The personal statement should ideally be approximately 150 to 200 words in length, and it should contain powerful words and phrases that quickly explain who you are, your values, and what you can bring to the role.

RESUME SECTION 3 – Previous Work Experience.

This section details in chronological order any previous jobs you have held. Make sure you include the job title, the name of the organization, and the years that you worked there.

RESUME SECTION 4 – Key Skills You Possess

Key skills are essentially the strengths you have that you can bring to the role. These should be placed in bullet point fashion.

Below are some examples of key skills you could include:

• A fast learner with a proven track record of achievement;
• Proficient in the use of all Microsoft Office applications, and a typing speed of 57 words per minute (WPM);
• A strong collaborator who always the needs of a team first;
• Exceptional communication skills;
• A strong sense of business acumen, and the understanding that the organization’s commercial objectives are crucial to my work;
• An adaptable approach to change and someone who takes responsibility for their ongoing professional development.

RESUME SECTION 5 – Education & Qualifications.

In the education and qualification section, list the qualifications you possess and don’t forget to include brief details of any relevant courses you have attended and completed.

RESUME SECTION 6 – Achievements.

This section should, again, include bullet points of some of your proudest professional achievements. Below are some examples of good achievements to include:

• Achieved a 35 % increase in sales for my previous employer. This goal was reached through carefully targeted social media advertising campaigns.
• Implemented a new online customer service feedback facility that resulted in a 25% increase in customer satisfaction levels.
• Invented a smart system for ordering office supplies that saved my employer $1,500 per month.
• Successfully integrated a new software system for the company and organized the rollout of competency training for all staff.
• Delivered consistently high levels of customer service in all roles that resulted in increased sales for my employer.

RESUME SECTION 7 – References.

At the end of your resume, make sure you give the details, the contact details of two people who would be willing to act as a positive reference for you. Although majority of candidates put in this section, “References available upon request”. But this is not actually good, is a missed opportunity.

A resume will look far stronger and more powerful if the NAMES and CONTACT DETAILS of two references are included.

EXAMPLE RESUME OR CV PERSONAL STATEMENT

Don’t forget the personal statement needs to be hard-hitting positive, and it must grab the attention of the hiring manager. Below is example of personal statement:

“I am a highly-motivated, conscientious, and competent collaborator who possesses in-depth knowledge and expertise with this industry.

With a proven track record of achievement, I can bring positivity, support, and a creative mindset to any team.

I pride myself on taking ownership of challenging problems, maintaining high standards, and assisting my employer in achieving their commercial objectives.

With a desire and passion for continuous professional development, I am confident I can add value to your organization by always ensuring your customers and clients receive the best service possible.

With more than 5 years’ experience in similar roles, I can be relied upon to deliver everything that I set out to achieve, whilst always seeking ways to help my employer grow, and save the money at the same time.”

That’s a powerful example resume personal statement that guarantee to impress any hiring manager.

In this guide, you will learn how to create a URL/Link for your Resume, so that can share it online for job applications.

Steps Create a Link for your Resume

To create a link for your resume, you can follow these steps:

Upload your resume to a file hosting service: There are many free file hosting services available, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. Choose one of these services and upload your resume to it.

Get the shareable link: Once you have uploaded your resume, you can get a shareable link to it. In most file hosting services, you can right-click on the file and select “Get shareable link” or “Share.”

Shorten the link (optional): If the shareable link is long, you may want to use a link shortening service such as Bitly or TinyURL to create a shorter, more manageable link.

Add the link to your resume: Once you have your shareable link or shortened link, you can add it to your resume by including it in the contact information section or in a separate section for links or attachments.

By creating a link for your resume, you can easily share it with potential employers or colleagues online.

If you need further assistance with creating a professional resume, consider working with a professional resume writer. You can learn more about resume writing services here.

Do you want to have a CV that can get you a PhD position? This guide will teach you how to prepare CV for PhD position.

Below is how you should prepare your CV for PhD Position:

1. Links to your profiles: In the personal information section at the top of your CV, include links to your online profiles such as google scholar, LinkedIn, DBLP, homepage, and research gate. It will help the assessor to view your profile via a familiar forum.

2. Research areas: After the personal information section, mention your 4-5 research areas such as machine learning, cyber security, big data analytics, and so on. This directly shows whether or not your profile is relevant to the advertised position.

3. No Paragraphs: Do not include paragraphs in your CV. It makes it hard to read. Instead of paragraphs, include concrete bullet points.

4. No objectives: Often students mention one big paragraph at the start as an objective/aim. This is not required as the assessor already knows the position for which you have applied. Hence, this becomes redundant.

5. Hyperlink: As much as possible, add hyperlinks. For example, you can add links to your university, your workplaces, and so on. This helps the assessor to directly check where you studied or worked.

6. Highlight your strengths: If you have something in your profile that makes you unique, bring it to the first page. For example, if you are a gold medalist in your undergraduate or you have won some programming competition, add them as achievements on the first page. This will make you stand out in comparison to other applicants.

7. Research publications: If you have publications even under review, do mention them upfront. If the papers are already online, add a link to each paper so that the assessor can directly check it out. Add all relevant details to each publication such as journal/conference ranking and impact factors.

8. No MS word format: Do not share or submit your CV in MS word format. It does not look good even at times MS word formatting is distorted. Submit or share your CV in PDF format.

9. Mention English Score: If you have undertaken IELTS/TOEFL kinds of tests, do mention your scores. These English scores are one of the admission requirements and help a professor in student selection.

10. Ask to review your CV: At least ask 2 experienced people to review your CV. This will help to polish your CV by removing any typos, grammar, and evident issues.

In this brief article, we will learn how to write a brilliant cover letter for fresh graduates and those people who have no previous work experience.

If you are applying for a job and you want to submit a brilliant cover letter with it, make sure you read this article very well because it will help you be successful.

How to Write a Cover Letter With No Experience

Below are the things this article will cover:

• 3 very important tips for writing a brilliant cover letter for fresh graduates and those people with no work experience.
• Example of cover letter to use that is guaranteed to grab the attention of the hiring manager. Your cover letter has to grab their attention.

What is a cover letter and how long should it be?

A cover letter accompanies a CV or resume, and it is a shortened one page document. It only needs to be one page that explains why you are applying for the job.

There’s a couple of things you can do to make your cover letter stand out, especially if you are a fresh graduate or someone with no previous work experience.

3 Tips for Writing a brilliant Cover Letter

Below are those three really important tips for writing a brilliant cover letter.

• Tip 1: When writing your cover letter, keep it short (one page). It must be concise and to the point.

Remember, the hiring manager has to read through lots of cover letters, so yours has to stand out and grab their attention. So keep it just to one page.

• Tip 2: Make sure you use positive and engaging words in your cover letter to grab the attention of the hiring manager.

The hiring manager has lots of cover letters to read through, and you can grab their attention by using brilliant, positive and engaging words.

• Tip 3: Make sure your cover letter is free from grammar, punctuation, and spelling mistakes.

If there are mistakes in your cover letter, it will get rejected simply because one of the most important skills needed in all job roles is attention to detail.

How to write a cover letter for fresh graduates and no experience candidates

Below is a brilliant example cover letter to use for fresh graduates and those people with no previous work experience.

When you start your cover letter, include your full name, address and insert the date of the cover letter in the top right hand corner of the document.

Full name

Address line 1

Address line 2

Address line 3

Insert Date

Dear Sir/Madam,

RE: Application for [Insert the name of the position you are applying for]

I am attaching my CV/resume supporting my application for the above position.

I am applying for the role because I have the skills and qualities to match the job description and become a high-performing employee for your company.

My key strengths include resourcefulness, adaptability to change, commercial awareness, collaboration skills and positivity.

I already have a track record of achievement in life and I aim to replicate the same success for your company. Some of my key achievements to date include [you can include some of your own key achievements]: These are examples:

• Attaining excellent grades at college;
• Winning team sporting events at school;
• Raising money for charity and good causes.

I understand I must work hard for my employer to enable them to meet their commercial and strategic objectives and my hunger to learn and enthusiasm will be valuable assets to your team.

Thank you for considering my application and I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully

[Insert your full name here]

Telephone number: [Insert Telephone Number Here]

Email: [Insert Email Address Here]

Make sure your answer phone message on your cell phone is professional sounding. Make sure it’s professional and also make sure your email address is professional too. All of these things will definitely help.

Thank you so much for reading this article and I wish you all the best for getting hired and passing your job interview.

Geographic proximity, cultural similarities, and generous mandated leave and benefits can make Canada a very attractive place to work. But how do you get started? How do you write a Canadian resume and is different from other countries resume format?

This guide will help you learn everything you need to know about Canadian resume format. By the time you’re done going through this post, you will be very well conversant with Canadian Resume Format and How to Write a Resume for Jobs in Canada.

Is Canadian Resume Format Different from American Resume Format?

Canada and America have their similarities, but there are plenty of differences too. But do those differences extend to the Canadian resume? The answer is no. A resume in Canada is exactly the same as an American resume. No need to worry about all the differences as you would when applying for jobs outside North America.

Let now take a look at some Canada resume tips to make sure your Canadian job search gets off on the right foot.

Best Format for a Canadian Resume

The best resume format for Canadian jobs is the same tried and true classic as in the U.S. It’s known as the chronological or reverse-chronological resume.

The chronological resume, which is also known as the “reverse chronological resume” is the most popular resume format out there. Particularly advisable for those with rich work history, the chronological resume prioritizes and lists your work experience and achievements from most to least recent. It puts your work experience up front and it’s the format recruiters are most familiar with on both sides of the border.

Here are the sections a typical chronological Canadian resume consists of:

• Resume header with candidate’s name, job title and contact information
• Resume summary or objective
• Work experience
• Education
• Skills
• Additional sections

Note: Standard Canada resume format also follows the same layout rules as you’d use in the U.S. A good layout ensures that you’ll have a document that looks professional and is easy to read.

Here are some basic resume layout guidelines:

• Set your resume margins to one inch on all sides and double space between sections to create plenty of reader-friendly white space.
• Use line spacing set to 1.15.
• Stick to 1–2 pages for your resume length.
• Choose an easy-to-read resume font.
• Use a larger font size to emphasize your resume section headers and make important information standout with bolding and italics.

How to Write a Canadian Resume

The same rules for resume writing in Canada is also applicable in the U.S. You’ll find detailed advice in our comprehensive how to write a resume guide. Below is a brief section-by-section breakdown:

1. Add a Header with Contact Information

Include your full name, job title and contact details. These should consist of your phone number, email address and LinkedIn profile[If any]. There’s no need to include your address on your resume. It’s not needed and it wastes space.

2. Write a Resume Profile

Your resume profile acts as the introduction to the content that follows. The general rule is to use a resume objective if you’re just starting your career and a resume summary if you’re more experienced. A summary of qualifications is another good option if you’ve got plenty of experience and achievements to highlight.

3. List Your Work Experience

This is the most important part of your Canadian resume. 90% of employers prefer their candidates to have work experience, so you need to get your work experience section right to capitalize on that demand. Here’s how to do it.

• Use reverse chronological order, starting with your current or most recent position.
• Start with the basics, your job title, the employer’s name and location and dates of employment.
• Add up to six bullet points describing the role and start them off with resume action words for added impact.
• Use accomplishment statements to showcase your professional attainments. And don’t just say what you did, prove how well you did it with quantified achievements.
• Include resume keywords to help you pass the applicant tracking systems (ATS) that scan your job application.

4. Mention Your Education

Often overlooked, but still necessary. List your degree, your school and its location, and your graduation date (use an expected graduation date if you’re still studying). Only include your GPA on your resume if you’ve just graduated and it’s 3.5 or above.

Another thing you can include in your education section if you’ve just graduated is relevant coursework and extracurricular activities.

5. Include a List of Skills

The skills employers look for in a Canadian resume are the same as for the U.S. Be sure to include a mix of hard skills and soft skills, and target your resume to the job by keeping your skills section relevant and focused.

6. Make Use of Additional Sections

Adding them gives you the chance to add extra skills and achievements and stand out from other applicants.

Here are some of the best options:

• Hobbies and personal interests
• Foreign languages
• Certifications and licenses
• Projects
• Volunteer work
• Publications
• Achievements and awards

Note: There’s no need to add references to your resume or even to write “references available upon request.” If an employer needs your references they’ll ask for them later on in the recruitment process.

Canadian Resume/CV Sample

Download Canadian RESUME/CV Sample Here

What Not to Include in a Canadian Resume

The same rules apply as for an American resume. Here are the things you shouldn’t include on your resume.

• A resume photo
• Private information such as marital status, age and race.
• Salary requirements
• Lies

In Summary

Canadian resume format is exactly the same as American resume format. Follow the same guidelines and focus on writing a resume that’s tailored to the job you’re applying for and best shows off your strengths as a candidate. It’s that simple. Wish you All the best for your Canadian job search!

That’s it, you’re all set to craft the perfect Canadian style resume.

Note: A great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. Learn how to write a perfect cover letter from our previous here.

Learning how to apply for a job via email with Resume/CV is very important. Make sure to keep your job application email brief and get to the point quickly.

You’ve found a job that looks promising, you’ve got the required skills and experience, you’ve crafted a cover letter & polished off your resume, all you need to do is to make a great impression and land that interview.

Tips for emailing a resume to an employer:

• Follow the directions from the job ad. Remember, you have to play by their rules.
• Attach your resume and a cover letter in the proper format. Usually, PDFs work best, but double-check with the job offer: some employers only accept DOC files.
• Find the hiring manager’s name and email address. Send your resume email directly to them.
• Use a strong subject line. Include the name of the position, the offer id, and spice it up with some personal branding.
• Make your resume email short. It’s not your cover letter all over again. Focus only on your most stellar achievements.
• Finish with a call to action. Say that you’re eager to meet in person to discuss how you can contribute to your prospective employer’s success.

How to apply for a job via email sample

1. Your email address

Making a good impression starts with the email address you are sending your job application from. This is not the time to use that inappropriate email address you’ve had since you were under 18. If you don’t have one yet, now is the time to set yourself up with a professional sounding email address. A simple, yet good-looking option is to use a close variation of your full name. For example: stevemike@emailprovider.com

2. The email subject

If the job offer asks for applying via email, check if the employer demands all applicants to use the same subject line. The subject line of your email application is important to get right & another opportunity to appear organised & professional. You want to explain who you are & what you’re applying for, all in one short line. E.g “Sales Assistant Application- Steve Mike”

3. The email body

You should never leave the body of an email empty when applying for a job by email. This is like a mini cover letter for the employer as it’s the first thing they will read. It should make them want to learn more about you.

Try something like this:

(i) Dear Hiring Manager,

Please find attached a copy of my CV for the advertised role.

I have two years’ experience in branding and marketing.

My core skills include [INSERT YOUR SKILLS HERE].

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

(ii) Dear Sir/Ma,

I have attached a copy of my CV & Cover Letter for the marketing role advertised on your website.

I am passionate about ………………….

I look forward to being interviewed & joining you immediately.

I hope you enjoy the rest of the week.

Kind regards

Your Full Names

4. The attachments

It is really important to give your attachments professional sounding names. Sure, you may be preparing a series of cover letters, but you don’t want to send something called ‘Cover Letter version 10’. To be safe, use your full name. For example: Steve Mike CV

5. Your email signature

It’s important to include an email signature at the bottom of your email so that employers can quickly and easily find your contact details. Include your full name, phone number and email address so they can see how to contact you at a glance.

It should look something like this:

Your Full Names Here

Phone: [Insert Your Phone Number Here]

Email: [Insert Your Email Address Here]

Pay attention to each of these steps and you will have the best chance of impressing the hiring manager and being asked for an interview. Make sure all your document are ready.

Best of luck!

If you’re starting from scratch, check out this article that have answered this question “can a resume be 2 pages or more”. A resume can be 2 pages or more to show your career progression.

Once you have a draft to work from, use these below 7 tips to add or subtract your resume length.

7 rules for the right resume length

1. Focus on your most recent experience

Your potential employer wants to see your most recent skills and experience. You don’t need to include old internship like 15 years ago! If you haven’t used those skills since then, they are not going to help you land this job.

This applies to your work experience descriptions, as well. If you had the same responsibilities under multiple entries, consider including it only under the position you held most recently.

Put the focus on your most recent professional experience. In general, you don’t need to include any jobs from over 15 years ago. This will help you keep the focus on what you’re capable of now, as well as minimize age bias.

2. Focus on your most relevant experience

If you’ve jumped around on your career path, try to exclude positions that aren’t relevant to this particular job description you are applying to. Your resume does not have to include every place you’ve worked or every job you’ve held–that’s a common myth but isn’t doing you any favors.

If you do want to list all your positions to establish a career trajectory or avoid gaps in your resume, limit the information you include with the less-relevant jobs. Expand the impact and results of your most recent and relevant jobs, and include three or fewer bullet points for the other information.

3. Remove graphics

Some content, while current, doesn’t deserve to be on your resume; when applying online, you should remove all graphics and logos from your resume. These cute images turn into confusing lines of code to an ATS (Applicant tracking system), so save visuals for your LinkedIn or a printed resume.

Your resume does not need a headshot or selfie. Save that for your online profiles (but keep it professional!).

4. Do NOT use a Bitmoji or other “alternative” to a photo.

From a technical standpoint, as with other graphics, Bitmoji turn into jumbled nonsense to an ATS. Unlike logos or artistic headers–which can be appropriate for graphic designer resumes in print form–Bitmoji never have a place on a resume.

Keep your cartoon self firmly in the realm of social media and informal communication: your professional resume document is neither.

5. Combine multiple related bullet points into one bullet point

If you have multiple lines on the same subject within your job experience, you can often combine the statements into one.

6. Change your resume’s formatting

If your resume has wide margins and a large font, you’re going to have a hard time fitting all the information you need on two pages. If your resume includes more than a square inch of white space at any point, adjust your settings.

7. Keep tailoring

A tailored outfit fits you perfectly. You can only manage that by trimming away the excess. To make your resume length a perfect fit, you need to trim away anything that doesn’t fit for each job.

Look at every line of your resume document from the perspective of a hiring manager: does each line prove you are a good fit for the position? If not: cut it out!

In Summary

Knowing how many pages a resume should be is not really all that necessary. What is more important is that the information on your resume be of importance and relativity to the job description or position you seek. If you need something to measure by, try to fit your resume within two full pages, including only information that will help you get that particular job.

A resume is like the copy on the back cover of a book, designed to make you want to read the book. A resume is a formal document that provides an overview of your professional qualifications, including your relevant work experience, skills, education, and notable accomplishments. A resume can be 2 pages to show your career progression.

Usually paired with a cover letter, a resume helps you demonstrate your abilities and convince employers you’re qualified and hireable.

In many European countries, CV is used to describe all job application documents, including a resume. In the United States and Canada, CV and resume are sometimes used interchangeably.

Here are the topics this post covers:

• When should your resume be one page?
• When should your resume be two pages?
• When should your resume be three pages–or more?
• How to get your resume to the right length (10 tips)

Before we go direct to these topics, let me explain some very important things you need to know.

Too many people make the mistake of thinking that a resume’s purpose is to get them a job. Actually, resumes open and close doors. The main purpose of making resume is to make an employer interested enough to invite you in for an interview. As such, knowing which resume format will work best in your favor is key to your success.

It’s best to make sure you’re using the right resume format that is chronological (reverse-chronological), functional or combination.

The 3 Best Resume Formats to Use

There are three main resume formats are reverse-chronological, functional, and combination.

Chronological Resumes

Chronological resume usually contains an objective and/or career summary statement and a chronological listing (from most recent to past) of all your employers along with related accomplishments. Educational information is included along with certifications and special skills.

This type of resume format may be fine for someone who is experienced, but if you are switching careers or are just entering the workforce, this type of resume will most likely help you wind up in the “no” pile.

Functional resumes

Functional resumes highlight your abilities, such as hiring, managing or coaching, rather than your chronological work history. You’ll still need to summarize your work history, but this is usually done at the bottom of your resume.

A functional resume format is particularly useful for people who:

• Have gaps in their work history.
• Are reentering the workforce.
• Have frequently changed jobs.
• Are looking to transition into new careers.
• Don’t exactly fit the mold of what recruiters are looking for in the positions they want.

The reason functional resumes work well in these situations is that many of us have acquired skills while working that are very transferable. For example, if you have worked as a retail manager, chances are you were responsible for hiring, training, coaching, evaluating and handling employee relations issues.

Combination Resume

The combination resume format combines the resume elements of a chronological resume and a skills-based resume.

One-page Resume

The one-page resume is ideal for entry-level workers, new college graduates, and those who have a few years of work experience, Yang says. Additionally, you should consider a one-page resume if you’re looking to make a career change and don’t have much experience relevant to your new goal.

Two-page Resume

It doesn’t mean you have to cram all of your experience on one page with a teeny tiny font that you need a magnifying glass to read. Readability and overall presentation need to be factored in, too. Two pages are the standard length in 2021 to fit all your keywords, work history, experience, and skills on your resume.

Your resume will most likely need two pages to show your career progression. If you have more than 10 years of experience, you’ll also want to include a professional summary and possibly a career highlights section.

Can a resume be 2 pages?

This has been an age-old debate. If your resume is too short or skimpy, recruiters and hiring managers will think you don’t have a lot to bring to the table. Also, if your resume is too long and bloated, readers will likely get bored or annoyed.

Your middle ground for writing your resume helps you determine if your resume should be one or two (or more) pages long. The quicker you can get to the point, the better. Hiring managers are busy people, sometimes having to sort through hundreds of applications. You get about six seconds of their attention when they’re making their initial fit-or-no-fit decision.

Most resume reviewers would rather read a well-laid-out, easy-to-skim, two-page resume than a one-page resume that jams too much information on the page.

A two-page resume makes sense for many job seekers, especially those who are further along in their career, with 10 or more years of relevant job experience. The extra page may be needed to convey all of the critical information an employer needs to know. Keep in mind, however, that the second page likely won’t get as much attention as the first, so it’s best to make sure you’re using the right resume format.

Three (or more)-page resume

Most people believe resumes should fit on two pages max, no matter how long you’ve been working.

For example, if you work for the federal government; you’re a senior-level manager with a long track record of accomplishments; or you’re writing an academic CV for a research or scientific position and have an extensive list of publications, speaking engagements, professional courses, licenses, or certifications; then you may need to extend your resume to three or more pages.

In Summary

The length of resume doesn’t matter quite as much as the content filling the pages. If you can capture your qualifications on one page, great. But if it takes two pages or more, that’s OK, too. Just remember that your resume should be a high-level look at your accomplishments that entices the hiring manager to want to learn more.