Watch and find out what should be on your CV.
5 easy steps to the perfect CV
You've spotted the perfect job, you think you meet all the necessary requirements, but before you start thinking about a possible interview, do you have a CV that stands out from the rest?
For every job advertised, there are often hundreds of applicants submitting their CVs, which makes it very important that your CV grabs recruiters’ attention immediately.
Getting started
Every time you apply for a new job, it is advisable to update your CV to showcase your relevant skills and experience that directly relates to the job you are applying for. Follow these steps:
Before you sit down to draft the perfect CV, make sure you have all the information you’ll need. This includes:
There are many ways to create your CV and with countless apps and digital tools, it just got easier. Remember that your CV style needs to suit the type of job you’re applying for.
Try the following options:
Your CV cover letter will be the first thing most recruiters see so it is important to write a cover letter for each job you apply for. Remember, the CV is about your skills but the cover letter should give recruiters an idea of whether you meet the company’s requirements. Read the job advertisement so that the content in your cover letter matches the requirements in the advertisement.
These are only guidelines as there are many ways to write a cover letter. Here are some tips on how to write a cover letter.
Here is an example:
Dear Mr Hattingh
Thank you for considering my application for the features writer position at your company.
You will find that I am a hardworking, experienced and dedicated worker who believes in building good relationships with contacts and delivering within given deadlines.
Below is a table summarising my skills and qualifications:
Requirements |
Qualifications |
Two years’ writing experience at a magazine. |
Five years’ experience at a reputable publishing house |
Knowledge of Adobe InDesign. |
Three years’ experience with Adobe InDesign. |
Ability to think creatively and meet deadlines. |
I am known to be deadline driven and original. |
I appreciate your time and look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely
Janet Smith
For more cover letters, try these websites:
Now that you have designed your CV, here are 10 tips to remember when planning your CV:
Use this checklist below to make sure your CV is error-free.
If you have missed any of the blocks, go back and rework your CV.
Content review checklist |
Yes |
I have included my full name, contact details and ID number.
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I have listed my working experience in reverse chronological order, stated my start and ending dates, the companies names and my responsibilities. |
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My education is listed in reverse chronological order starting with my tertiary education. I have listed the dates, the course I was enrolled for and the name of the institution. |
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I have listed the necessary skills for the job and ensured that my working experience matches the skills I have listed. |
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My references are contactable and know that I am listing them. |
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My cover letter is concise and tells the employer why they should hire me. |
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My CV design suits the job that I am applying for. |
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I have used spell check and have no grammatical errors. |
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My font, line spacing and graphics ensure that my CV is easy to read. |
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My contact details are correct and the recruiter will have no problems getting hold of me. |
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The content on this page was last updated on 29 November 2022