In this article, I will show you how to write a CV. I do not mean to say that you don’t know how to write a CV but there are salient points you need to include if you it to win a job for you. Have a look and you will me amazed.
CV writing is not as easy as the spelling of the abbreviation CV, it is complex and requires a level of understanding for one to draft.
The complexity of writing a CV hinges on the fact that it has the power to determine one’s fate in terms of proving whether one is a better candidate for a job or not.
In spite of how delicate the creation of such a document is, most people still go about it haphazardly, while expecting it to yield good results for them. If you’re one of such people, sorry to burst your bubble, but you have been going about it the wrong way.
The right way to write a CV in Nigeria is what this article borders on: it reveals the expectations of every employer, the basic inclusions every CV should have, how qualitative and quantitative the work should be, how long or how brief, and of course, what details should be considered relevant to warrant inclusion.
The problem most job seekers in Nigeria have is usually with their CV. They forget that the CV is an extension of themselves, it is a voice that speaks for you in your absence; and that voice can only speak fluently, or competently depending on how you programme it to.
The following bullet points cover some areas of CV writing that should boost every potential employee’s chances of getting a job.
1. Originality
There is a clarion call for original information in CV writing, can you hear it? There are thousands of the same kind of CVs out there, the only difference one can easily make is in the nomenclature. This is bad. If your CV sounds and looks like many others, how can your identity be truly discerned.
To this end, shun the ritual mantra about being industrious and able to work under pressure; it is a cliche begging to be let go. Explore yourself for original information that applies directly to you and not some other Dick or Harry.
Same goes for your career objective. Don’t copy and paste what you see online. Understand yourself, your purpose, your field, your expectations, and appropriate that to a career objective that interests every employer. Being different and making a difference starts with little things like that. Now in attempt to be original, ensure you are not being fictional.
2. Present facts
Never think of padding information about yourself, present it as it is. I know that the Nigerian ‘situation’ can drive people to take rash decisions just to get ahead but you should know that lying in your CV is a crime. So don’t let that Nigerian mentality get to you.
Even if it does, just think of all you stand to lose when the cat in the bag is discovered. One, you lose you job; two, you may be prosecuted; three, your track record gets stained; four, it becomes difficult to get another job; and five, your family bears the brunt of an avoidable miatake. Don’t take that chance no matter how tempting it looks.
3. CV heading
Most people also make the terrible mistake of placing CURRICULUM VITAE at the top of the document. Doing that shows little understanding of how to go about drafting a CV, and it also sends a message to employers: that you are incompetent.
After all, if you don’t know how to draft something that will help get you a job, how will you be able to do the job? So be like letter writers who do no not include FORMAL LETTER at the top of their letters. The content of the document should be allowed to speak for itself.
I know this aspect looks so insignificant but it is not, many employers care about such things. Now, an important info, when you eventually get hired and are required to draft a memorandum, do state at the top INTERNAL MEMO.
Don’t assume that since a CV does not require it, that same will be the case for every form of writing. Begin your CV with your name followed by other personal details.
4. Referees
These are people one has previously worked with from whom information about you can be obtained. Do not make the mistake of including the details of family members or relatives as an excuse for ignorance. In fact, seeing an identical surname may raise suspicions.
And it doesn’t matter how many employments you’ve had before, you don’t need to include more than two references. That would just clutter the whole thing. Usually, it is your immediate employments that should occupy that position, not the ones you started out with.
Under the references, include basic information such as, name, position, phone, and email. There is no need for an address or a brief exposé on who the person is.
5. Grammar
Your CV should be 100% error free. You have to make sure by reading and re-reading and proofreading. Grammatical errors send a message to employers and it’s a message that attracts a frown.
When an employer does not like what he sees on paper, I doubt he’ll like what he sees in camera, that’s if you get the opportunity to be examined.
CV writing is not a timed test, it is something you have enough time to create, so create something good. One good way to ensure your work is error free is to show it to someone with a better understanding of the rules of grammar. Get help.
6. Brevity
Don’t be like some Nigerians that like to blow their trumpet to the point where it not only upsets the ears but also the eyes. A CV is not a research document, it is not an essay, and it is definitely not a movie script. It is what it is, it is a document that summarizes your personal and professional history.
With summary in view, writing something extremely long becomes an unintelligent deviation. Employers don’t have all the time to relax and peruse the grandiloquence and longevity of your work, they don’t!
They just need to see a little about you that might spur them to invite you over for a chat. It is at the interview that they inquire more from you. So keep it short and simple. At least, 2 pages.
7. Order
Arranging sub-headings well is a plus. For example, a fresh graduate with little or no work experience would do well to place his educational history first.
On the flip side, a candidate with a rich work experience would be playing to his strengths by including it first before any other qualifications. There is a psychological implication to this, it is better to catch the attention of an employer early because who’s to say he’ll read to the end…
All the above clues on how to go about CV writing should be taken under advisement. I can guarantee that applying these would make your work more appreciable, and you, worthy of a job.
Other things to pay attention to include, the design of the document and even the font style. Both should be clear, beautiful, and professional.
If you need a professional CV Writing Service, kindly contact us. We have experts for this. I mean it.