By Are you applying for a new job and need to stand out? Then it’s time for you to learn about the 5 golden rules for professional CV writing.
As a senior recruiter for several years now, I have mastered the art of crafting a professional CV writing that not only passes the ATS but also stands out in front of the recruiters. You should master that too.
Why?
CV is the first step towards making a first impression. Furthermore, with hiring managers reading 1000+ resumes daily, it can be hard for you to stand out if you don’t have an outstanding resume.
So, come on! Let’s dive deep into these golden rules and enhance your resume, making it professional and crisp.
5 Golden Rules Of CV Writing At Your Fingertips
With the job world becoming competitive in the UAE, crafting a well-written resume is essential. That’s where the five golden rules of CV writing come in. By following them, you create a well-written CV that impresses recruiters in one go.
They include:
Rule 1: Be Clear and Professional
Picture this: You have created a resume that covers all your strengths and weaknesses. However, it doesn’t follow any format, nor does have clear sentences.
Would the hiring managers want to spare any time to read your resume?
In your dreams.
Hence, rule number 1 is to maintain clarity and conciseness in your sentences. This ensures that your resume is easily scannable, allowing hiring managers to quickly review your skills.
Remember these things at your fingertips to maintain a professional resume:
- The CV should be no more than one page.
- Furthermore, use bullet points to highlight your strengths, weaknesses, and achievements.
- Avoid jargon and overly complex sentences. Simplicity is the key if you want to make a good impression.
- Don’t stuff your CV with irrelevant experiences. Instead, ensure that your goals and experiences align with the job description.
- Additionally, be consistent with your fonts, spacing, and font size. I recommend using Times New Roman and a 12-point font size.
- The ideal length of a CV is around 450-600 words. Data shows that CVs longer than this are 43% less likely to be hireable.
Image Source: Cultivated Culture.
A Pro Tip: To ensure the CV is concise, use a word counter to adhere to the word count. Furthermore, before submitting, ask your friends or professionals for a review.
Rule 2: Highlight Your Relevant Skills and Experience
When creating your CV, you want to demonstrate to hiring managers that you possess relevant skills and experience.
However, I recommend not cramming it. I’ve read countless CVs that were stuffed with irrelevant skills that didn’t even match the job description.
That’s not how you make your resume stand out. So, always remember rule number 2 which is to highlight your skills and experiences. Do these tips:
- Read the job description and determine the skills that align with this.
- Don’t just tell. Instead, quantify them with measurable results. The recruiters believe in the proof.
- Additionally, tailor your skills and experiences to match the job description.
Highlighting your skills, that too in the proper manner, can be difficult for you. Therefore, I suggest seeking guidance from the professional CV Writing Service In Dubai. They have experts who can guide you on how to create a resume that matches your job description.
Rule 3: Don’t Forget to Use Keywords.
According to Forbes, around 90% of employers, including Fortune 500 companies, use Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) to track your resume.
Furthermore, only 25% of the CVs go through the ATS software and into the hands of the human recruiters, AKA us.
Image Source: Select Software Reviews.
Hence, rule number three is to use keywords in the My Perfect CV and optimize it for the ATS. Here’s how you should do it:
- Read the job description and highlight the keywords they’ve used. Then, use it in your CV.
- Avoid overstuffing. Instead, make sure that they align with the job description. Moreover, they should be relevant to the industry you’re applying to.
- Tools like JobVite and Breezy HR are perfect for seeing if your CV is ATS-friendly.
- Use action verbs in the CV to ensure that it stands out.
Rule 4: Tailor Your CV for Each Job Application
Whether you’re changing careers, switching jobs, or applying after a long break, you can’t use the same CV all the time. I’ve seen candidates using their old, not-tailored resumes to apply for jobs in different industries.
It’s a big no! As recruiters, we want to see what you bring to the table.
Hence, you need to tailor your resume for each job application. Review the job description to ensure your skills align with the requirements.
Furthermore, don’t forget about the company culture. Research your organization, including how it operates, its goals, and its values.
Rule 5: Proofread and Edit Your CV
As a recruiter, I receive nearly 100 CVs regularly, and most of them are filled with errors. Honestly, folks, it only leaves a bad impression. Moreover, this suggests that you may not be as interested in the position.
So, according to rule number five, once you’ve created your CV, take your time and proofread it. Here’s what you need to do:
- Read aloud and listen to how it sounds to the readers.
- Furthermore, check for awkward phrasing and correct as you go.
- Check for typos, grammatical issues, structure, and formatting.
- The most popular format for a CV is the reverse chronological format. Hence, ensure that you’ve followed through with it entirely.
- Avoid complicated words and maintain clarity.
Do you know that around 65% of recruiters who use professionals for their CVs receive a response within 90 days of applying? Hence, I would suggest hiring the CV Writing Service in the UAE for proofreading and editing. This will ensure that your resume is perfect, error-free, and matches the job description perfectly.
Wrapping Up!
So, that’s it! Master the art of CV writing by following the five golden rules. They include:
- Be clear and professional
- Highlight your relevant skills and experience.
- Don’t forget to use keywords.
- Tailor your CV for the job description
- Proofread and Edit.
By sticking to these five rules, you can craft a CV that aligns with your job descriptions, passes the ATS, and proves that you are a valuable candidate.
Struggling with CV writing? No worries! You can always seek help from professionals or friends.