Tips That Will Help You Write an Engaging CV

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When it comes to putting together a viable Curriculum Vitae, attention to detail is very important. The ability to write an engaging CV is a little more challenging than simply use of online cv services or providing a laundry list of your skills, educational background, and work history. If you want the document to truly stand out, it helps to pay close attention to the opening, the main body of the document, and even to the conclusion. Loading the First Third of the CV

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You only have one chance to make a first impression. That’s why the first third of your CV is so important. Within that section, you want to convince the employer that it is worth his or her time to keep reading. For this reason, you must make everything relevant and to the point. Use the first third to provide your contact information, including links to any online information that is relevant for the employment opportunity. Links to your business web site or a business page you operate on a social networking site are a must. In this section, you also want to include a statement of purpose that makes it clear why you are a good fit for the position. Avoid generalities and provide a specific statement that includes no more than three sentences. Keep in mind that this statement can include teasers about other information that you will provide later in the document.

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Make the Body of the CV Easy to Scan

You already know that many employers will scan CVs, identify a few that seem to be a good fit, and then settle down for an in-depth read. This means that you want to make your submission very easy on the eyes. To this end, feel free to use emboldened headers that immediately draw attention to your educational achievements, past work experience, and any special skills you possess. Under those sub-headings, you can use bulleted lists to drive home points that you believe are of particular interest to the employer.

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The Conclusion Matters

With a CV, the conclusion functions as a summation. Use this as the opportunity to quickly reiterate any key points that you believe are particularly relevant to the prospective employer. Be very direct and keep the conclusion at no more than two or three paragraphs. Three to five sentences per paragraph is a nice balance, and will help minimize the temptation to use filler.