Why do CVs matter? - In most cases, your CV will be the ‘first impression’ that a potential employer has of you and your talents. As such, it can set the tone for the rest of your recruitment process. This makes it your single most important document for getting your career started...
How long should my CV be? - Before you put pen to paper, keep in mind your that CV should ideally fit onto one A4 page, or two pages at the absolute max. Unless you’re Elon Musk, it’s unnecessary and self- indulgent to wax lyrical about your career milestones and achievements over a multi-page essay.
How should I structure my CV? What information should I include - Most graduate CVs can be organized into the following sections Heading & contact details, Summary (optional), Education , Experience , Additional optional sections, which can include , Interests / Extracurricular activities , Awards & accomplishments , Skills & attributes
What design and layout should I use for my CV? - When it comes to the design and layout of your CV, there's no 'perfect' format—every individual and role is different. You should feel free to experiment and express your personality. However, regardless of the format you choose, your main consideration should be readability for the recruiter.
Steps to review and finalise your CV - Have a friend or family member read it over (a fresh set of eyes can pick up any mistakes that your eyes are missing). Make use of your university’s careers service to ask for additional feedback (most universities offer a free CV review for current students). Once you’re happy with the final version, save the file as a PDF.
Only list relevant hobbies and interests - Including a section for hobbies or interests is optional, but can help in some situations. If your hobbies are related to the job you're applying for, then including them can help showcase your personal experience and skills. This is especially true if the other sections of your CV are a little short and you need to fill some space.
Keep it simple - When crafting your graduate CV, it's a good idea to keep things simple. Don't go into a lot of details about each of your accomplishments or skills. Instead, just list the highlights. You want your CV to fit on only one page as employers don't have a lot of time to read each applicant's resume.
Add references - Including some references at the bottom of your graduate CV can help you appear legitimate to potential employers. Try to include at least two: one from academia and the other from work experience. If you don't want to include their contact information on the CV—perhaps because you're still at the place of employment—simply write "available upon request."