How to write a CV that gets you hired

A step-by-step guide to creating a professional CV that stands out and lands interviews

In today's competitive job market, having a strong, well-crafted CV is absolutely essential to advancing your career. Your curriculum vitae (CV) or resume is often your first and only chance to make an impression on potential employers. A good CV combined with a professional online presence, particularly on LinkedIn, significantly increases your chances of receiving callbacks and interview invitations from recruiters and hiring managers.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through every essential element of creating a professional, attention-grabbing CV that gets results. Whether you're writing your first CV, updating an existing one, or looking to improve your job application success rate, this guide will help you present yourself as a top candidate.

Reading and understanding the job advertisement

Start by carefully reading the entire job advertisement before writing or updating your CV. Key elements to identify include:

  • Required qualifications and experience levels.
  • Specific skills mentioned (both technical and soft skills).
  • Keywords and industry terminology used.
  • Responsibilities and duties of the role.
  • Desired attributes and characteristics.
  • Application requirements and instructions.

Why this matters:

The job advertisement is essentially showing you exactly what the employer wants. When you tailor your CV to align with the specific requirements and language in the job posting, you demonstrate that you've taken the time to understand the role, and you make it easy for recruiters to see that you're a good match.

How to tailor your CV:
  • Use similar terminology and keywords from the job posting.
  • Highlight experiences that directly relate to the listed requirements.
  • Emphasize skills that match what they're looking for.
  • Organize your information to showcase the most relevant qualifications first.
  • Include examples that demonstrate you can fulfill the specific responsibilities mentioned.
Essential CV sections: building your professional story

A well-structured CV tells your professional story in a clear, compelling way. Take the time to customize your CV for each position, highlighting the most relevant experiences and using keywords from the job posting. Here's how to craft each essential section:

Personal details: your contact information

This section appears at the very top of your CV and should be immediately visible. It contains the basic information recruiters need to contact you.

What to Include:
  • Full name: use your professional name.
  • Physical address: include at minimum your city and province/country.
  • Email address: use a professional email address.
  • Phone number: include a reliable number where you can be reached. 
  • LinkedIn profile URL: if you have a complete, professional LinkedIn profile, include the custom URL.
  • Professional photo: this is optional and depends on industry norms and location. If you include one, ensure it's a professional headshot with appropriate attire.
What not to include, unless specified:
  • Date of birth or age (can lead to age discrimination).
  • Marital status.
  • Number of children.
  • National ID number.
  • Religion or political affiliations.
  • Unprofessional social media handles.
Professional objective or summary: your career statement

This brief section, typically 3-4 lines, appears directly below your contact information. It serves as your professional introduction and should immediately capture the recruiter's attention while communicating your value.

Purpose: the objective or summary statement tells recruiters:
  • Who you are professionally.
  • What you're looking for (what type of role).
  • What you bring to the table (your key strengths or unique value).
  • Why you're applying for this specific position.
Tips for writing your statement:
  • Keep it concise 3-4 lines maximum.
  • Make it specific to the job you're applying for (tailor it for each application).
  • Include relevant keywords from the job posting.
  • Focus on what you can do for the employer, not what you want from them.
  • Use strong action words and quantifiable achievements when possible.
  • Make it compelling enough that recruiters want to keep reading.
Work experience: showcasing your professional journey

This is the most important section of your CV, especially for professionals with experience. It demonstrates your career progression, responsibilities, and achievements.

How to structure each position:

For each job you've held, include the following information in this order:

  • Company/Organization name: include the full, official name.
  • Employment dates: format: Month/Year to Month/Year (e.g., January 2020 - Present).
  • Job title: your official position title.
  • Location: city and province/country.
  • Key responsibilities and achievements: bullet points describing what you did and accomplished. Limit to 4-5 bullet points per position, this ensures you to include only the most relevant and impressive information.
Organizing Your Work History:
  • List positions in reverse chronological order: most recent position first.
  • Include internships and volunteer work: especially important for entry-level candidates or when it's relevant to the position.
Education: your academic credentials

The education section demonstrates your formal training and academic qualifications. How much detail to include depends on your career stage. What to Include:
  • Qualification/Degree name: be specific.
  • Institution name: full official name of the university, college, or training institution.
Organizing your education:
  • List in reverse chronological order: highest or most recent degree first.
  • Include your highest qualification: you don't need to list high school if you have a university degree.
Skills: demonstrating your capabilities

The skills section showcases the specific abilities you bring to the role.

Types of skills to include:
  • Technical/Hard Skills: measurable, teachable abilities specific to your field.
  • Soft Skills: personal attributes and interpersonal abilities.
How to present skills effectively:
  • Align with the job description: include skills mentioned in the job posting.
  • Be honest: only list skills you actually possess and can demonstrate.
References: vouching for your character and work

References are individuals who can provide insight into your work performance, character, skills, and qualifications. Essential information to include:
  • Full name: include professional titles.
  • Job title/position: their current role.
  • Company/Organization: where they work.
  • Phone number: a reliable contact number.
  • Email address: professional email address.
Additional sections: certificates, achievements, and projects (Optional)

When to include these sections:
  • When specifically requested in the job posting.
  • When the information significantly strengthens your candidacy.
  • When it's relevant to the industry or position.
CV length 

The ideal length
  • One page minimum: never submit a CV shorter than one full page; it appears insufficient.
  • Two pages maximum: for most professionals, two pages is the upper limit.
How to stay within length limits:
  • Prioritize relevance: include information most relevant to the job you're applying for.
  • Use concise language: every word should add value, eliminate filler words.
  • Limit bullet points: stick to 4-5 per position, choosing the most impactful.
The cover letter: 

A cover letter can significantly strengthen your application when done well. It's your opportunity to explain why you're interested in the role, highlight your most relevant qualifications, and show your personality.

When to include a cover letter:
  • Include a cover letter when it is specifically requested in the job posting.
How to write an effective cover letter. Length and format:
  • One page minimum and maximum: never more than one page.
  • 3-4 paragraphs: introduction, 1-2 body paragraphs, and conclusion.
  • Proper business letter format: date, employer's address, formal greeting.
Structure:
Opening Paragraph (2-3 sentences):
  • State the position you're applying for.
  • Add a compelling opening statement that conveys why this opportunity excites you.
Body paragraphs (4-6 sentences each):
  • Highlight your most relevant qualifications and experiences.
  • Explain how your skills match what they're looking for.
  • Provide specific examples and achievements.
  • Show that you understand the company and the role.
  • Demonstrate what value you'll bring to the organization.
Closing paragraph (2-3 sentences):
  • Reiterate your interest and enthusiasm.
  • Thank them for their consideration.
  • Indicate your availability for an interview.
  • Include a call to action.
Tips for success:
  • Personalize each letter: never send a generic cover letter, customize it for each position.
  • Address it to a specific person: research to find the hiring manager's name when possible.
  • Match the company's tone: professional for corporate.
  • Proofread meticulously, using spell-check and performing a comprehensive quality review.
  • Keep it concise: respect the reader's time.
  • Avoid repeating your CV: add new information or provide context, don't just restate what's in your CV.
Building your LinkedIn presence

Your CV and LinkedIn profile should complement each other. While your CV is tailored for specific applications, your LinkedIn profile provides a broader view of your professional brand.

LinkedIn best practices:
  • Professional photo: use a high-quality, professional headshot.
  • Compelling headline: showcase your professional value
  • Detailed summary: tell your professional story in first person.
  • Complete work history: include detailed descriptions of roles and achievements.
  • Skills: add relevant skills.
Understanding Rejection:

It's vital to understand that receiving rejection emails or not hearing back from employers is a normal part of the job search process. Most qualified candidates face multiple rejections before finding the right opportunity.  Every rejection is an opportunity to improve your CV, refine your approach, and get closer to the right position. Stay persistent, keep improving your materials, and maintain confidence in your abilities.

Your CV is a living document that should evolve throughout your career. As you gain new experiences, develop new skills, and pursue different opportunities, your CV should be updated to reflect your professional growth. Invest the time to create a strong CV now, and you'll reap the benefits throughout your career in the form of more interview invitations, better job opportunities, and greater career advancement.