Choosing your job is a personal choice but research is important to do; for you to plan your future steps carefully.
Once you know what position that you are aiming for, what kind of companies that you would like to work for, the next thing to do is crafting your CV. You need to ensure that you can make a good first impression through your CV. After all, your CV is the first thing they see before you can get into an interview with them. If you cannot impress them through your CV, it means smaller chance for you to get into an interview with your potential future employer.
So how hard is it making a CV? Believe it or not, some people taking it too lightly and they’ve missed the chance to actually get an opportunity for an interview just because they send a poor CV.
Here are some practical steps to craft a good CV.
- First thing first, be crystal clear on what resume is and what purpose is it going to serve
- The resume is 2- 4 pages’ summary of your background and credentials.
- Your CV will be screened by an employer for 15 – 20 seconds. That’s all the time your resume has to make an impact
- The purpose of a resume is to effectively sells your credentials and to get you into a job interview
- Understanding your resume sections
| Section
(in chronological order) |
What are they looking for? |
| Header | Write your identity and how to contact you. Full Name, phone number and email address. |
| Qualification Highlight | Summarize maximum 3 bullet points, state why you would be good at your job. Each bullets, consist of maximum 2 lines.
Highlights your strength with each statements. Focus on experience, service or skills that directly relate to the job that you’re applying. The most relevant statement comes first. |
| Professional Achievements | Write your accomplishment that is relevant to the job that you’re applying.
Give details if possible. For example : numbers, tools being used, acknowledgement / award if any. The most relevant achievement comes first. |
| Working experience | Write your working experience from latest to previous one (and not the other way around). |
| Education Background | You can insert only your latest education background/university education background. |
| Relevant Training | Only write those that are essentials or related to the position that you’re applying for. |
| Relevant Skills | How equipped you are in terms of personality traits as well as occupational skills to be able to be successful in the position that you’re applying for. |
- Some other details you need to check before sending your CV
- Make sure your email address is professional. More than 50 % of CV will be rejected if your email is unprofessional.
- If you write your CV in English, you need to check on your grammar and do your spelling check.
- If you want to insert your picture in your CV, ensure the picture is with your professional look.
Last but not least, all the things that you put into your CV, you need to Tell the Truth to avoid unnecessary problem with your future employer. It is a common practice for a company to check your professional background to previous superiors/companies to ensure your story. The last thing you want is to start working and then lose it because you’re being deceptive with your CV.
Aprilia Patriani
Managing Partner – APG Consult