How To Write a CV in 7 Simple Steps

How to write a CV. Writing a CV can seem a little troublesome. Especially if you haven’t done it in a while.

Back on the job market? Need to create a new CV or update the old one?

We’ve got you covered with 7 simple steps on how to write a CV.

Below we’ll take you through each of the sections of the CV. We’ll also provide you with examples.

Follow these steps and make your CV the best it can be.

1. Your contact details

At the top of your CV should feature you contact details. In todays CV’s it’s important to list your phone number, email address, social media handle and possibly a website address if you have one and it’s applicable your profession.

2. Your name and job title

Second you need your name and your current job title, or the job title you’re looking for.

3. A summary about you

Next you need to add a brief summary about yourself. It doesn’t have to be long. Just a sentence or two is fine. See the example below of what your brief summary should look like.

4. Your skills

Important to everyone’s CV is your skills. You should list 6 – 9 key skills that you have and that relate to the job you’re applying for. Bullet points is fine. Just a couple of words. And don’t use a number or skill scale. See the below example of how to add your skills.

5. Your work experience

Next up is your work experience. For your work experience you should start with your latest employment first. And then work backwards. As far as the information you should list about your work experience. It’s important to list the date, position held and place of position. What you did and list your responsibilities.

6. Your education

Education should come after your work experience. As with the work experience, you should work backwards. Newest to oldest. An example of your education would include date you studied in the form of year, name of degree, diploma or certificate you earned and a brief summary of what you majored in if applicable. Don’t list high school. Only list study done after high school.

7. Your notable achievements, awards and honours

Lastly it’s great to list any notable achievements, awards and honours. These can be quiet brief and can include anything you feel that is relevant to the job you’re applying for. For example you may have won an award for some work you produced. Maybe you got employee of the month at your last role. Or maybe you set a record for a number of products you helped sell at your last job. Have a think and get creative. But remember they should relate mostly to your industry or similar.

You’re done!

So there you have it. 7 steps and examples on how to write a CV. Follow these steps and examples and you’ll have the basis of a perfect CV. Remember your CV should also include a cover page. And don’t forget the golden rule of 2 pages maximum! People these days are busy and they don’t want to read too long.