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How to Write a CV: Full Step-by-Step Guide

• 1. Contact Information
  This section is the starting point of your CV. Include:

  • Full Name: Your legal name as it appears on official documents.
  • Email Address: Use a professional email (avoid nicknames or outdated domains).
  • Phone Number: Mobile preferred. Include country code if applying internationally.
  • LinkedIn Profile or Website: Optional but highly recommended for professional roles.

  Avoid personal details such as date of birth, full address, gender, or photos unless the job description explicitly asks for it.
• 2. Professional Summary
  This is your CV’s elevator pitch. Write a short, compelling paragraph (about 3–5 lines) summarizing:

  • Your current profession or area of expertise
  • Years of experience and relevant industries
  • Key strengths or technical competencies
  • Career goals or how you can contribute to the organization

  Tip: Tailor this summary to each job application using keywords from the job ad.
• 3. Core Skills
  List 6–10 of your top professional skills. Divide them if necessary:

  • Technical Skills: Software, platforms, tools, programming languages (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Excel, Java).
  • Soft Skills: Communication, leadership, problem-solving, time management.

  Use keywords from the job posting and align them with your real strengths.
• 4. Career Achievements
  Highlight up to 4 impactful achievements that show your contributions and results. Use metrics where possible:

  • Before: What challenge did you face?
  • Action: What did you do to solve it?
  • Result: What was the outcome? (e.g., “Reduced operational cost by 18% over 6 months”)

  These can be included under each job or listed in a separate 'Achievements' section.
• 5. Work History
  List all relevant work experiences, starting with the most recent. For each job, include:

  • Job Title
  • Company Name
  • Location (City, Country)
  • Dates of Employment (Month/Year)
  • 3–6 Bullet Points highlighting your key responsibilities and achievements

  Use action verbs like "led", "developed", "improved", "implemented" to show impact.
• 6. Education
  Include your educational qualifications, starting from the most recent:

  • Qualification or Degree
  • Institution Name
  • Year of Completion
  • Relevant coursework, honors, GPA (if recent and strong)

  Optional: Add certifications, online courses, or licenses that align with the job.
• 7. Licences & Certifications
  Only include active and relevant certifications:

  • Example: RSA, White Card, Forklift Licence, First Aid/CPR, PMP, AWS Certified.
  • Include issuing authority and expiry (if applicable)
  • Sort by relevance to the job

  This section is crucial in regulated industries like construction, hospitality, or IT.
• 8. References
  You can choose to write:

  • "Available upon request" – if space is limited or early-stage application
  • List references: Name, Title, Organization, Email, Phone – only if requested by the employer

  Always ensure the referees are aware and willing to provide feedback.

Formatting Tip: Keep your CV clear and simple. Use a professional font, avoid colors or graphics unless required, and save your file as a PDF.