CV Writing Check List

When writing your CV, it is essential to include variables in order to sell your skills on paper. Your 'Word' curriculum vitae should be written with the same intention as any marketing brochure; Write your CV with the intention to sell your skills.

What many South African CV writers and most Job Seekers tend to forget is that your CV needs to describe what sets you aside from other job applicants and what makes your application unique and relevant to each job vacancy. When putting your CV to paper remember that just as much effort is going into the recruitment process, as prepared by your potential new employer. Both irreplaceable time and valuable resources are deployed during any recruitment process and the hiring and induction of new staff is expensive and time consuming. Recruiters want to be certain that it is you and your specific skill that is worth their time and money recruiting.

Take a look at 'The CV Writing Check List' prepared by Jobs.co.za and market your CV to the movers and makers of recruitment.

Tailor Write your CV for Each Job Application

When you tailor write a CV for each vacancy you apply to, you clearly illustrate attention to detail. Customise each written CV to apply to each job application displaying significant relevance to each unique job advert. Remember to write an appealing CV to each individual target audience explaining why you are the ideal candidate to fill their vacancy.

The Presentation of Your Written CV

While many CV writers take the opportunity to personalise their CV in terms of its appearance, these changes are in fact a big no when composing your written curriculum vitae. Your CV should be printed on good quality, white/ cream A4 (A Four) paper. Never include a photograph or image in your CV and abstain from any use of colour in any written CV. Stick to black and white style sheets, 'Times New Roman' or ' Arial' font styles which are easy to read in and no smaller than 11 (eleven) pt font size.

Written CV Layout

There is a general layout to follow when preparing to write a CV. While there is no rule of thumb, remember that your aim is to deliver the most relevant information pertaining to the job ad as fast and as comprehensively as possible. Apply the following CV layout and you will deliver the exact sales message the best written Curriculum Vitae can.

• CV Title - Write a CV title that describes the job that you are applying to as well as highlight a key skill or ability which you posses that is relevant to the job description.
• Personal Details - Detail a concise list of your personal information including; your name and surname, your local address, your contact numbers and your E-mail address.
• Personal Statement - Following your personal details, write a personal statement in twenty five to thirty words. Your personal statement should be closely aligned to the job role that you are applying to. By doing this you are clearly displaying your intention to join the employers firm and apply the required skills in order to succeed specifically in their role.
• Working Experience - When detailing your working experience be sure to list information in a reverse chronological order (most recent relevant experience first) , highlighting areas where you have accomplished unexpected deliverables (increased revenue or decreased expenses) , under promised and over delivered and emphasise your achievements as opposed to your duties. Highlight areas that relate specifically to your experience in the areas that have been listed as roles or responsibilities on the job advertisement of the position that you are applying to.
• Working Skills - Your written CV should detail skills which you have attained throughout your career that directly correlate to the job application in hand. Your skills should detail both tangible as well as transferrable skills which you have acquired that may be applied to the vacancy which you are responding to.
• Relevant Qualifications and Education - In a reverse chronological order list relevant qualification or highest level of education obtained, pertaining to the specific job application. Bullet point qualifications and certificates in a written word format but have the relevant documentation available for reference should the employer require proof of such documentation.
• Job References - While this is not a pre-requisite, with the intention of transparency, it is always advisable to include a comprehensive list of relevant and qualified references when writing your CV. References will affirm details you have bulleted in your accomplishments and skills. If you are a graduate without any working references to list, it is recommended that you list a mentor or lecturer who you worked closely with during your studies and or apprenticeships. Remember that work references should ideally be your prior supervisors and managers and not work colleagues.

Tone and Language Used in a Word CV

Avoid long winded paragraphs where you have a lot to write about but nothing relevant to say.   Use bullet points in your word CV but never use acronyms, abbreviations or txt language. Use the 'Bold' function conservatively and reserve underlining for hyperlinks. Never write your CV in CAPS as this will seem as though you are SHOUTING or forcing yourself onto the recruiter.

The Readability of Your Written Curriculum Vitae

Label each section of your written CV in a clear and legible manner. Make sure that each relevant   section is easy to find and follows a sequence of relevance in the order that it is presented.

Have Your CV Critiqued by a Third Party 

Have someone who is not aware of your situation or experience and personality read your CV. By having an 'outsider' read through your curriculum vitae they are sure to give you objective feedback and a honest opinion of how well your CV sells your unique skills.

Although there is no right or wrong way when composing your word CV, these are the most relevant pointers to follow when preparing a CV that sells your best qualities as fast and as efficiently as selling them to an employer in person. Bear in mind that the average recruiter takes a maximum of thirty seconds when scanning through your CV looking for relevant keywords they identify with. The quickest way that you communicate the relevant keywords to the employer, the better your chances of being identified as a shortlisted candidate are.

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