A curriculum vitae ( CV ) is simply a summary of your professional and educational history. You can think of a CV as a document that introduces yourself and your abilities, and its purpose is to market your skills and experience to a potential employer for the purpose of hiring you.

A CV can have varying components, but it should include some basic sections.

Your resume should have, at a minimum, the following sections:

1. Professional Summary

Begin your CV with a captivating summary that showcases your professional identity and unique value. For example, if you’re a marketing professional, your summary might read, ‘Dynamic marketing specialist with five years of experience in digital campaigns, adept at increasing brand engagement and sales.’ Keep it short and straightforward, expressing one idea at a time.

2. Personal Information

In this section, you should include essential details like your name, contact number, and e-mail address. Keep it brief and professional.
Ensure that the contact information you provide on your CV is accurate, as this is the means by which the hiring manager will reach out to you.

3. Work Experience

This is the heart of your CV. List your previous roles in reverse chronological order, emphasizing not just your responsibilities but also your achievements.

For example, instead of just stating “Managed a team,” you could say, “Led a team of 5 to surpass sales targets by 20% for three consecutive quarters.”

4. Education

Provide information about your academic background, including your degrees, the institutions you attended, and the years you graduated. If you recently graduated, you may also mention any significant academic projects or honors.

5. Skills

Tailor this section to the job you’re applying for. Include both hard skills and soft skills. Be honest and self-aware in your assessment.

These are some examples of Hard skills:

• Proficient in a variety of software programs, including Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, and Adobe Creative Suite
• Experience with data analysis and visualization tools
• Strong programming skills in Python, R, and SQL
• Experience with machine learning and artificial intelligence

These are some examples of Soft skills:

• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong leadership and teamwork skills
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to learn new technologies quickly and adapt to change

Optional Sections

Languages: If you are multilingual, this can be a significant advantage, particularly in roles that need communication with diverse groups or in international settings.

Volunteer Projects: Including volunteer work can demonstrate your dedication to your community and your ability to work in teams. For example, “Volunteered at XYZ Food Bank, organizing the largest food drive of the year.”

Projects: If you have worked on any significant projects relevant to the job, list them here. This could be anything from a successful marketing campaign to a software development project.

Hobbies and Interests: This section helps humanize your CV. Include hobbies that either enhance your job suitability or demonstrate skills such as teamwork, creativity, or leadership.

Your CV should not just be a list of your work experience. It should tell a story about your professional journey, highlighting your skills and accomplishments in a way that is engaging, clear, and tailored to the role you aspire to secure.

To do this, start by thinking about your career goals and what you want to achieve in your next role. Then, use your CV to highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to those goals. Be sure to use clear, concise language and avoid jargon.

When you’re writing your CV, it’s important to tailor it to each specific role you’re applying for. Take the time to read the job posting carefully and identify the key skills and qualifications that the employer is looking for. Then, highlight those skills and qualifications in your CV.

Finally, make sure your CV is well-organized and easy to read. Use a clear font and format, and make sure your margins are consistent. Proofread your CV carefully before you submit it, and correct any errors.

A Free CV Builder Like GetYourCV is an online tool that allows you to create a CV or Resume quickly and easily with just a few clicks. free CV Builders features an easy-to-use interface and provides various ready-to-fill and visually appealing templates.