The Winning CV / Resume

WHAT IS THE WINNING RESUME / CV?

To apply for any job you are going to have to submit a powerful resume/CV, one that grabs the attention of the hiring manager or employer, one that is sure to get you to the next stage of the hiring process and one that can get you an interview opportunity to prove your competence to the employer one on one.

That is what we call, The Winning Resume/CV. In this article we will discuss the structure of the resume/CV and the seven (7) sections that should be present on every resume or CV.

TIPS TO NOTE:

• To begin with, no employer or hiring manager has the time to read a five (5) page resume or CV. Keep your resume short, two (2) pages at most.

• Secondly, make sure you proofread your resume before submitting. Spelling mistakes and grammatical errors cause a resume to be rejected more than anything else. Read through it yourself and ask a friend or relative to also go through for you.

• Do not use one general resume or CV for every job you apply. Write a specific resume, tailored to the job description.

STRUCTURE AND SECTIONS:

The structure of a resume should be simple and easy to follow. Remember, the employer or hiring manager has lots of resumes to go through and you do not want them to get confused about yours which usually leads to rejection. Because of this, you should always include these seven (7) sections on your resume.

1. PERSONAL DETAILS AND CONTACT: This section should include your name, address, e-mail and personal telephone number. You can add the link to your portfolio here as a general document to support your resume. You can also add your picture at this section. Some people make the huge mistake of adding a selfie picture or any inappropriate picture. The resume is for professional work and should be treated as one. The best picture is a passport style picture. Keep it professional.

2. PROFILE / PERSONAL STATEMENT: This is usually the first statement the employer is eager to read about you. As such this statement should grab their attention and make them interested in you. This section should include powerful statements that tells who you are, what your values are and the value you will give to the company.

3. PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE: This section details any previous job you have had. It should include the job title, name of the organization, number of years you have worked there and your key duties or responsibilities. It should be in reverse chronological order.

4. SKILLS: In this section you list in bullet points the skills you have acquired. This should also be tailored to the job description. The job description makes it clear what they need so you need to tailored your skills to suit that. You can also add the link to your portfolio here. This serves as a strong proof of your skills and competence.

5. EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATION: In this section you list in reverse chronological order your education and qualification details. In addition to listing the name of the institution and the degree or qualification earned, you should also include the dates of attendance, the location of the institution, and any relevant coursework. If you have any short course or online course that especially relates to the job, add it to this section.

6. ACHIEVEMENTS: List your key achievements in bullet points in this section. We advise that you use active statements and include numbers. This shows confidence and authority.

7. REFERENCES: In this section you have to include two (2) contact details of people who are willing to act as a positive reference for you. Do not write "References available upon request". This weakens your resume. Your resume will look more stronger and powerful if the names and contact details of your references are included.

Take note of these the next time you write a resume or CV to apply for a job. This is sure to increase your chances of getting an interview opportunity or going on to the next stage of the hiring process.

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