Crafting your CV is a personal journey—and it should feel supportive and encouraging. At EvolveTalent, we understand that the job market can be challenging, so we've created a gentle, step-by-step checklist to help you build a CV that truly represents who you are. Here’s our friendly guide, complete with examples to inspire you:
Contact Details
Make sure your contact information is clear and current.
Example:
Full Name: Jane Doe
Telephone: +44 1234 567890
Email: jane.doe@example.co.uk
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/janedoe
Profile Summary
Write a brief introduction that reflects your personality, skills, and career goals.Example:“A creative marketing professional with over five years’ experience in digital campaigns and brand management, passionate about storytelling and customer engagement.”
Education
List your educational background with details like institution, qualification, subject area, and dates.Example:
BSc in Business Management – University of Manchester (2015 – 2018)
Work Experience
Present your work history in reverse chronological order. Use bullet points to share key responsibilities and achievements.Example:
Marketing Coordinator, ABC Ltd. (2019 – Present)
• Led a team project that increased social media engagement by 30%.
• Organised promotional events that boosted brand awareness.
Skills
Include both technical and soft skills that highlight your strengths.Example:
Technical: Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, Google Analytics.
Soft Skills: Excellent communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities.
Achievements and Awards
Mention any honours, certificates, or awards that add value to your profile.Example:
Winner of the ‘Innovative Campaign Award’ at the 2021 Marketing Summit.
Projects
Showcase significant projects where you played a key role. Describe your role, the tools you used, and the outcome using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).Example:
Situation/Task: Led a project to revamp the company website.
Action: Coordinated with the design team and implemented a new content strategy.
Result: Achieved a 25% increase in user engagement within three months.
Training and Certifications
List relevant courses, workshops, or certifications that further your skills.Example:
Completed a Digital Marketing Certification from Google (2020).
Volunteering
Share any volunteer work that showcases your character and skills.Example:
Volunteered as an event organiser for a local charity, helping to raise funds for community projects.
Published Work
Include any articles, blog posts, or presentations you have authored or delivered.Example:
Authored a blog on ‘Effective Social Media Strategies’ featured on a well-known industry site.
Customisation
Tailor your CV for each job application by highlighting the most relevant experience and skills.Example:
For a role in digital marketing, emphasise your experience with online campaigns and analytics tools.
Quantifiable Achievements
Use numbers to highlight your accomplishments wherever possible.Example:
“Increased sales by 15% in Q2 2022 by implementing targeted marketing strategies.”
Format and Layout
Keep your CV visually appealing and easy to read with consistent fonts and spacing.Example:
Aim for a clean, uncluttered design that fits neatly on 1-2 pages.
Proofreading
Review your CV carefully for any grammar, spelling, or formatting errors.Example:
Ask a friend or mentor to look over your CV to catch any details you might have missed.
References
Rather than listing references, simply state “References available upon request.”Example:
This approach keeps your CV neat and ensures you have control over when to share reference details.
LinkedIn Profile
Ensure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and aligns with the information on your CV.Example:
Include a professional photo, a detailed summary, and recommendations from colleagues.
Language and Style
Use clear, concise language and strong action verbs. Avoid jargon and overly complex sentences.Example:
“Managed,” “developed,” “implemented,” and “enhanced” are all action verbs that add impact.
Design
Opt for a simple, professional design.Example:
Stick to a classic layout and use subtle colours to keep the focus on your content.
Career Progression
Show how your responsibilities have grown over time.Example:
“Promoted from Marketing Assistant to Marketing Coordinator within two years, reflecting my increasing responsibilities.”
Industry Keywords
Use relevant keywords that align with the job description to help your CV get noticed by online systems.Example:
Terms like “digital marketing,” “project management,” and “data analytics” can be vital for roles in the industry.
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If you’d like to receive your copy of our checklist in PDF, please do write to us.
Additionally, for a free and easy way to create your professional CV, we recommend visiting canva.com.
We truly sympathise with the challenges faced by jobseekers and are here to support you every step of the way. For more advice, personalised support, and further guidance, visit www.evolvetalent.eu or contact us at hello@evolvetalent.eu.
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