What Makes A Good CV?

A good CV, is a critical tool for job seekers. It is a document that outlines your education, skills, and experience clearly and concisely, making it easy for potential employers to understand your qualifications and decide whether or not to invite you for an interview.

Several key factors make a CV effective and help you stand out.

Well Organised

Many CVs have a low readability score, making it hard for a recruiter to read through and find relevant information. If the quality of the writing is poor, it is hard to understand if you are a qualified candidate. For example, if you use long sentences and stuff them with jargon, it fails to make an impression on the recruiter.

On the other hand, a good CV is well-organized and easy to read. It should have a clear structure, with sections for your contact information, education, work experience, and other relevant information. You should label each section clearly and present it in a logical order.

If your CV looks nice, you might increase your chances of making a good first impression on the recruiter. Don’t choose distracting fonts or include too much information on one page, as this can make it look crowded. Be sure to include plenty of white space around all sections of your CV, making it easy to read and find information. Furthermore, failing to check for spelling and grammar can give a bad first impression to a recruiter. Use a free online spell checker such as Grammarly to ensure your document is error-free.

Related: How To Prepare For Your Job Search in 2023

Concise

A standard CV is typically one to two pages long. Be sure to stick to this length by keeping the contents concise. Remember that most recruiters only have a few minutes to scan a CV. It is important they can find relevant information quickly.

A good CV is concise and to the point. It should be no more than two pages long and should only include information relevant to the job you are applying for. Avoid including unnecessary details or long-winded descriptions, and focus on highlighting your most impressive accomplishments and qualifications. Many candidates who struggle with creating a skills section tend to choose irrelevant or general skills.

Tailored

Try not to use the same CV for multiple jobs. It is much better to make it relevant to the role you’re applying for. You can achieve this by pulling keywords from the job description and using them to describe your qualifications or skills. This way, the recruiters know you are committed to getting that job and are taking time, preparing for the recruitment process.

Third, a good CV is tailored to the specific job you are applying for. It should include keywords and phrases relevant to the job and highlight your experience and skills that are most relevant to the position. By tailoring it to the specific job, you can show the employer that you are a good fit for the position and increase your chances of getting an interview.

Furthermore, although using keywords from the job description is a good method to beat Applicant Tracking Systems, overusing them isn’t recommended. Limit keywords, and use each only once on your CV. This can help you organise the document, show an employer that you have prepared, and familiarise yourself with the requirements.

What makes a bad CV?

On the other hand, a bad CV is poorly organized, too long, or not tailored to the job you are applying for. A bad CV can be difficult to read and may not include the right information to impress potential employers. A bad CV can also be full of errors or typos, making you appear careless or unprofessional.

To avoid creating a bad CV, carefully proofread your document before sending it out to potential employers. Check for typos, grammar, and formatting issues, and make sure that your CV is well-organized and easy to read. Also, tailor your CV to the job you are applying for, and focus on highlighting your most relevant experience and qualifications.

In summary, a good CV is well-organized, concise, and tailored to the specific job you are applying for.

If you want advice on your CV, don’t hesitate to get in touch at: hello@peapletalent.com