top of page

Writing a Professional CV

Writer's picture: Shams BhattiShams Bhatti

Creating a professional CV is crucial for making a strong first impression on potential employers. 

Essential Parts of a CV


Contact Information


  • What to Include: Full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile (if applicable). Optionally, you can include your address.

  • Avoid: Including unnecessary personal details like date of birth, marital status, or a photograph.


Personal Statement


  • What to Include: A brief summary (2-3 sentences) highlighting your career goals, key skills, and what you bring to the role.

  • Avoid: Generic statements that do not add value or are too vague.


Work Experience


  • What to Include: List your work experience in reverse chronological order. For each role, include the job title, company name, location, and dates of employment. Provide bullet points detailing your responsibilities and achievements.

  • Avoid: Long paragraphs and irrelevant job details.


Education


  • What to Include: List your educational qualifications in reverse chronological order. Include the name of the institution, degree obtained, and dates attended. Mention any relevant coursework or honours.

  • Avoid: Including outdated or irrelevant qualifications.


Skills


  • What to Include: Highlight key skills relevant to the job you are applying for. This can include technical skills, languages, and soft skills.

  • Avoid: Overloading this section with too many skills or irrelevant ones.


Additional Sections


  • What to Include: Depending on your background, you might add sections like Certifications, Professional Memberships, Publications, or Volunteer Experience.

  • Avoid: Adding sections that do not add value to your application.


What to Avoid in a CV


  • Typos and Grammatical Errors: Proofread your CV multiple times to ensure it is error-free.

  • Exaggerations or False Information: Always be truthful about your qualifications and experience.

  • Irrelevant Information: Keep your CV concise and relevant to the job you are applying for.

  • Unprofessional Email Addresses: Use a professional email address, ideally your name.


Layout and Sequence


  • Header: Your contact information at the top.

  • Personal Statement: A brief introduction.

  • Work Experience: Detailed in reverse chronological order.

  • Education: Listed in reverse chronological order.

  • Skills: Key skills relevant to the job.

  • Additional Sections: As needed, such as Certifications or Volunteer Experience.


Layout Tips


  • Font and Size: Use a professional font like Arial or Times New Roman, size 10-12.

  • Margins and Spacing: Keep margins around 1 inch and use consistent spacing.

  • Bullet Points: Use bullet points for easy readability.

  • Length: Aim for 1-2 pages, depending on your experience.


47 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet

Add a rating

ka-consultants.com

©2023 by Keystone Academic Consultants Ltd. Company Number: 14787504

Email: admin@ka-consultants.com

WhatsApp: + 44 (0) 7578929291

bottom of page