The key to an impactful CV doesn’t get made until you earn your degree. Like a rosebud waiting to blossom at the right time, it seeks patience. It yearns for long years of cultivation until it’s finally time to bloom.
But crafting an impressive CV isn’t as harmonious as a metaphor. There’s a real battle for fulfilling jobs in the real world. And those who lose the game often wither under harsh job market conditions.
Knowing how tough the competition is, you must never be complacent with your CV. It must evolve as you do and undergo several makeovers over time.Â
If you want to land your dream job, you must start working on your CV after graduation. Here are some methods you can try to ensure that your efforts are not futile attempts:
1. Highlight Your Soft Skills
Technical skills often take the spotlight in a standard CV. These skills define a good and strong candidate. But if you want to be great, your abilities need a touch of human perspective.
Soft skills or ‘people skills’ encapsulate the spirit of one’s attitude and emotional quotient. If you know that you have a compelling set of soft skills, sell them well.
Let the employer know how valuable your soft skills could be in the company.
2. Present Your Achievements
There’s a thin line between bragging and pride. To come off as a confident candidate, you must present a short history of your achievements too.
But you must be careful in this process. Accomplishments are a great gauge of skills, but not so much for character.Â
Stay eloquent and not excessive when listing your awards. Choose only the ones that are relevant to the job.
3. Keep a List of Reliable References
Most employers conduct a background check to verify the accuracy of your CV. One of the ways they do this is by contacting your character references.
When choosing your set of referees, pick the ones who know you best. Remember to choose people who can express your skills in great detail. They could be a former supervisor or professor.
Note that you must also include their contact details. Your effort would be meaningless if the employer can’t contact them.
4. Research Appropriate Formats
There are plenty of ways you can structure your CV. One of the most popular ways is reverse chronological order. In this format, you’ll list your work and education history from most recent to oldest.
It’s best to research what CV format the employer wants to see. They often have their own set of preferences you must follow. If you can’t find these details, it’s better to play safe and choose a standard format.
5. Proofread, Revise, Submit
Once you’re done with your CV, go over it and find any errors. Inspect if there are any typos or misspellings. It can give a negative impression if you submit an error-ridden CV.
Let a friend take a look at your CV too. They could point out certain mistakes that you missed the first time. Once you’re happy, submit your CV and wait for a call.
Improving your CV is something you must do as soon as you graduate. If you want to get the best job prospects, find more related blogs at MSM Unify.