It is certain the job climate has become very competitive, and will not back down soon. As a young graduate or a job seeker, there are a few stuff you need to do in order to stand out or differentiate yourself from others. Your Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume needs to be worked on. You need to know what to include on your CV or resume!
What is a CV?
A curriculum vitae (CV) is a precise and concise summary of a person’s career, qualifications, and education. Note that the words are ‘precise‘ and ‘concise‘. Curriculum Vitae is Latin for “course of life.”
Although resumes and CVs are used interchangeably sometimes, there are quite some distinctions between the two. While the European people will describe all job application documents as CV, including a resume, the United States and Canadian people will use both CV and resume interchangeably, without a clear distinction. It is best to get clarification if you are unsure of the type of paper to submit.
Cvs are very elaborate, covering a full history of your academic credentials and, among others, while resumes are very concise (preferably 2-3 pages) emphasizing skills.
In a CV, academic accomplishments come first, while skills and proficiency is emphasized on a resume.
This article outlines what to include in your CV or resume.
Importance of a Good CV or Resume
Knowing what to write and how to do it is crucial to your success because a well-written CV could mean the difference between getting an interview for your desired job or not.
Make your CV stand out because it will be the first thing an employer looks at.
Consider a CV as a crucial tool for selling yourself to potential employers so that you stand out and they would want to meet you. Use your CV to highlight everything an employer should know about you- education, achievements, skills, and abilities.
What to Include in your CV or resume
- Name and Contact Details
- Personal Profile
- Core Competencies/Skills
- Work Experience/Employment History
- Education
- Awards and Professional Affiliations
- Hobbies and Interest
- Name and Contact Details:
The first and most important element to be written on your CV is your name. Your first name and surname is required. If you have any professional title, put it together with your name. Your name should act as the title of the CV, and not the word ‘CV’ itself. Your contact details may sit comfortably next in line to your name. Your e-mail address, phone number, and full address are required. E.g.
Daniel Opoku
E-mail: Danopoku***@gmail.com
+2332435269**
2. Personal Profile:
This should not be over four (4) lines. Your personal profile should give the potential employer a summary of who you are, your professional background, your transferrable skills, and your current career objectives.
Since 2015, I have worked in the construction sector as a skilled joiner with experience in groundwork, concrete finishing, and steel fixing. I have supported many trades throughout the year as a skilled laborer. After a period of training and personal growth that has expanded my skills, I am eager to get back to work.
3. Skills/Core Competencies
Core competencies or key skills sections are typically found beneath your personal profile. At least, list six to ten of your strongest qualities that would convince the recruiting manager you are a good fit for the position. Note that the skills can be hard or soft.
Excellent interpersonal skills
Expert knowledge of a variety of programming languages including Java, Python, C,. ……….
4. Work Experience
Theoretically, your most recent position should occupy the most space because it represents the pinnacle of your professional trajectory, and best represents your skills, as a result.
Include your employment dates, your work title, the firm, a line describing the position, and bullet points outlining your responsibilities, competencies, and accomplishments for each position.
5. Education
The reverse-chronological sequence must be used when listing your schooling. You must at the very least list the title of your degree or qualification, the institution where you studied or the organization that awarded it, your grade, and the days you spent studying for or earning the qualification.
If you’re just starting out in your profession and your schooling is still one of the strongest selling points on your resume, you can add bullet points beneath each institution that detail the pertinent modules, assignments, placements, and talents.
B.Sc. Business Administration
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi.
2018-2022
General Arts
Prempeh College
2015-2018
6. Awards
You might also think about including qualifications and accolades on your resume. We may tie awards to academia, business, employment, or volunteer effort. For example, Awarded the 2015 Best Speaker at the 62nd Independence Day Celebrations Debate Competition.
7. Hobbies and Interests:
If you think it will help your application in some manner, you can add a section to your CV called Hobbies and Interests. Just be careful not to overshare and make sure they aren’t generic.
Others you can add
Volunteer Work:
Volunteering can seem great on your resume, especially if it relates to the position you’re seeking for. Including this kind of experience on your resume is a terrific method to make up for employment gaps, strengthen your work history if you’re changing careers, or boost your resume as a recent graduate.
Professional Membership:
It is important to promote your involvement in your industry and show your dedication to your job on your CV if you belong to a few professional organizations.
Just as some information is always appropriate to include on your CV, there are some that are not. Our next featured article will expose some of these elements which should not be included in our CV.
What to Include in your CV or Resume
