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CV: Tips & Templates | Ace Interview Like Pro

Curriculum Vitae

The meaning of "CV" or Curriculum Vitae is “course of one’s life”, which summarizes one's academic accomplishments, key skills, professional experiences, etc. A CV is usually accompanied by a professional Cover Letter expressing the applicant's interest in a specific job or organization and drawing attention to the most relevant information mentioned in the CV. Usually, applicants with relevant work experience and accomplishments are required to build a strong CV that can add professional advantages to their profile mentioning the details of their experiences, designations, skills, etc. Also, it's important to understand the differences between a resume, a biodata, and a cv to avoid confusion and mistakes. This post continues with useful information on the same, tips for CV, and FREE templates to edit and build a CV like a pro.

Importance of CV

A CV is a formal document that gives one a chance to show prospective employers the best of what they’ve got. It sells one’s skills, and work experience, and shows the recruiters they’re the right person matching best with the job requirements. Making a good impression is important in a competitive job market nowadays and a CV will be the first contact with target employers so it’s very essential to get it right. A mistake-free CV reflects the applicant is professional and cares about how they come across. A well-constructed CV could be the difference between getting an interview with the target employers or not, so knowing what one should write in it is key to one’s success.

Differences Between Biodata, Resume, and CV

Biodata: Old fashioned document or biographical data to simply mention personal information, experiences, etc. It's not considered credible anymore for any professional interview or job application.

Resume: 1-2 pages formal document vital for highlighting the necessary details of one's personal information, experiences, skills, achievements, etc. to bring the employer's attention to the relevancy of the applicant's candidacy. It's most relevant to the freshers or jobseekers lacking relevant experiences.

CV: Important document with 2 or more pages mentioning all work experiences, qualifications, skills, achievements, etc. with a detailed summary that intends to gain advantages for achieving a better scope.

5 Most Useful Tips For CV

  • Tailor CV as per each job's requirement
  • Use reverse chronological order for work experiences and academic details
  • Stick concisely to solid and relevant facts only
  • Your resume must have a credible, professional look
  • Include keywords and power words to make it applicant tracking system friendly

5 Most Common Mistakes To Avoid In CV

  • Don’t just write out the job description, instead show how you made a difference at work or in a project mentioning numbers, data, timeframe, etc.
  • Do not use any personal pronouns e.g. I, You. Remember it’s a formal document only, not a letter
  • Do not use flashy colors for page backgrounds/fonts/section highlights etc.
  • Do not use colloquial language/abbreviations/slang/emojis etc.
  • Avoid typos, grammatical errors, misspellings

Important Sections to Add to a CV

  • Personal Details (Name, Mobile, Address, Email, LinkedIn, Website, etc.)
  • Career Objective or Profile Summary
  • Educational Details (Relevant Degrees, Specialization, University/Board, Passing Year, Scores, etc.)
  • Certifications/Training
  • Work and Related Experience (Designation, Organization, Duration, and the key job duties)
  • Achievements (Projects, Medals, Recognitions, Badges, etc.)
  • Hobbies & Interests
  • Key Skills (Soft Skills, Technical Skills, etc.)
  • References (3-4 professionals)
  • Declaration
  • Signature With Date & Place

Free CV Templates: Edit & Download

Sample 1 | Click on the template to edit and download your own CV. (Check the video tutorial posted above)

Sample 2 | Click on the template to edit and download your own CV. (Check the video tutorial posted above)

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Which is best for fresher resume or CV?

A fresher must use a well written professional resume to apply for jobs for both digital and physical applications. An experienced individual must use a well written professional CV to apply for jobs or better roles for both digital and physical applications. Both resume and CV must be added with a proper professional Cover Letter as well.

2. Should a CV have a photo?

Though it depends on the employers' requirements, it is advised that one must avoid putting their photos in their CVs as often employers do not give preference to CVs with photos to avoid discrimination lawsuits. However, employers from industries like hotel management, aviation, acting, modeling, etc. require a professional photo in CVs as certain jobs in those industries require proper personal grooming to determine if the applicants are fit for the role.

3. Is it Ok to smile in CV photo?

Having a good posture and a gentle smile on your face is actually good for a CV photo. However one must avoid grinning too much or laughing while taking such photos.

4. Should a CV be written in first person?

It is best to avoid using any personal pronouns in your cv.

5. Should you include hobbies on a CV?

Yes, mentioning hobbies is definitely a good practice as it helps the employers understand your personality a little better.

Related:

Check Cover Letter: Tips & Templates to write a job-winning cover letter and Interview Tips & Preparation to ace interviews like a pro.

In the comment section, you are welcome to share suggestions that you may have for me to discuss or share.
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