Writing a CV can be a daunting task. We’ve all at one time or another had to go through the arduous process of writing down our most saleable aspects and tried to convince any potential employers that we’re the best thing since sliced bread! However, even though we’ve all got one, knowing whether or not it’s doing a decent job of getting us our desired role is difficult and often only apparent when it’s too late and you’ve either been accepted or rejected. With this in mind, we at DiamondCV are here to help and answer your most asked CV/Resume questions!
1. What Does “CV” Stand for?
The most commonly asked question regarding CV’s is simply “what does it stand for?” Of course, there’s no reason you’d need to know this beyond simple interest and you certainly don’t need it to write one but even so. CV stands for Curriculum Vitae. This Latin term literally translates as the “course of (ones) life” but in practicality means a detailed account of your working life and experiences. Effectively it’s a posh word in a forgotten language for employment history.
2. What Should a CV Look Like?
A CV can be presented in a variety of different ways and often depends on which country your job searching in. For example, in Asia, it’s typical to attach a photograph of yourself to your CV however in the UK and other parts of Europe this is dissuaded.
Atypically you would expect your CV to include a personal profile describing your current working position, situation and aspirations. For more information on how to write a job-winning personal profile section check out this article.
Next, you would expect to find information about your previous employment history, beginning with the most recent. Within this section, you should briefly describe the company you worked for and then in more detail discuss your role, responsibilities and achievements within that company. The longest part should be your current/most recent position but obviously, this will depend on which job in your employment history has the most relevance to the one you are applying for.
In the final two sections of your CV, you should outline any qualifications you have, starting with the highest qualification i.e. PhD, Masters, bachelors degree. You might briefly discuss this and other qualifications that you feel are relevant but as you move further back try to keep it factual and concise. In the last section, you would typically mention any extracurricular activities achievements or skills that might make you a suitable candidate for the position.
How long should a CV be?
A standard CV should be no longer than 2 pages. The most important is the first page as many potential employers simply won’t have the time or motivation to read past the first few lines so try and keep it short and concise with the most important aspects at the top. The personal profile is perhaps the most important part of your CV and is your first and best opportunity to sell yourself to a potential employer. With that in mind, don’t miss out on making a great first impression by including a job-winning cover letter. If writing cover letters isn’t your strong suit check this article out or alternatively contact us to discuss a professionally written cover letter from one of our expert CV writers at an affordable price.
Are CV Writers/CV Writing Services Worth it?
Using a Professional CV Writing service when jobhunting can be really helpful in several ways. The first is that our CV / Resume Writers spend hours researching the current candidate market, ensuring we are always up to date with the latest trends and directions across the job markets. This means we know what works and what doesn’t.
We can objectively assess what should be omitted and what should be developed further in order to give you the best chance of Job-search success. We’ve already done the hours of painstaking research and trial and error for you and we’re ready to make your CV shine! Our personalised CV’s are tailored towards your targeted roles, optimised for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and benefit from years of CV and Cover letter writing experience, so book a free CV assessment to find out how we can help get you your dream job!
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