Download CV Template and Learn to Write a Killer CV
“Your CV should present you in the best light and prove that you’d do well at the job,” says Nick Dunnett of jobs agency Robert Walters. This is because your CV is the first thing employers see before they ever meet you. First, keep it short and include a cover letter. Don’t bore your potential bosses with your high school soccer trophies. Instead, list what matters to the job, starting with the last course or job you did. And spell-check, more than once. Here are more tips to creating a CV that will land you your dream salary.
Keep it simple
In the look, layout and language. Don’t use fancy fonts or words only you understand. Keep it short and clear. Use bullet points, not long sentences. “Studies show that employers scan rather than read a CV,” says Nick. The reader has just a few seconds to make a decision, so make it easy for him or her.
Focus on achievements
“Your future boss wants to know what you achieved in your last job,” says Nick. Instead of telling them your duties (“I managed sales”), spell out your results (“I brought in R50 000 a month”). Don’t exaggerate. “I make 100 sales visits a day,” doesn’t sound believable.
Spend more time on the cover letter
A good cover letter is not a repetition of your CV; it adds to it. A CV should be about the raw facts: your qualifications and work experience. The cover letter gives a bit of your personality; this is where you show your enthusiasm and passion for the job.