A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is mostly subjective and changes from person to person. What works for one doesn't necessarily need to work for others. There are few points that are mostly general, and carefully following the tips can make the CV better. In this blog, I will share a few tips that can improve a CV's writing and put you in a better position.
Metrics are important in a CV as they quantify the work and can be used for better judgment. For example, for a sales manager to present his information, "Increased sales since last year" doesn't help for a better decision. "Increased sales by 10% and closed 15 deals which generated 1,20,000 USD in revenue" makes it more reliable and can be used for judgment.
The inclusion of links to digital profiles like LinkedIn can improve the chances of calls for interviews. With the growth of the digital world, every company looks for its employees' digital footprint and profiles. As a CV can only express up to a limit of information, digital profiles can give you a chance to better express and present your profile. Having a basic/default doesn't help, a better and updated profile can land you better opportunities.
Few of the CVs have stars, numbers for skills, or self-evaluation, which is mostly subjective and doesn't necessarily provide much information. It is better to write beginner/intermediate/expert if it's required. This would give a better idea rather than blurring the stars or points.
Few of the CVs have photos of the individual who is applying. Unless images are integral to the job (media, physical portfolio, etc.), they don't add value to the CV. It wastes the space on the CV, which can rule out the necessary information that can be added.
Focus on Six pieces of information that will be scanned in Six seconds. Contact section, objective, experience, education, skills, and optional. This information gives a brief idea to the interviewer, either to carry it forward or drop it. Clear and concise details can attract more callbacks.
As stated above, many points are subjective, and it changes from interviewer to interviewer. A thorough background about the company and the job description can give few important details. The usage of such information can help to shortlist CVs if they are automated. The CV must be updated according to the role, company, and position offered. The same CV or generalised one can’t really display interest in the company.
