Ensure Your CV Is As Current As Your Skills With These 4 Tips
By Caroline Macharia
For a typical Kenyan employee, which I am guessing you are, revamping your CV may be competing with your busy work schedule, meetings, time with family etc. I am very sure you agree with me when I say, revamping your CV sure does take a back seat in the midst of all the goings-on.
It is advisable for you to have your CV ready and impressive because great job opportunities have a way of catching us unaware. For that dream job you have been waiting for, the least you can do is ensure you are ready with a well thought out and updated CV for you to make a good impression.
Here are 4 tips to help you remain ready to make a lasting impression with your CV when opportunity knocks.
1.Remove skills that everyone is expected to have from your CV
While some skills are unique to you others are a bare minimum and do not make you stand out in any way. A good example is computer skills. Going ahead to list that you undertook training in computer studies in college xyz will only make you appear like you are stuck in the 90’s.
Being able to work with MS Word or Excel is a minimum expectation on any candidate that goes without saying.
Bonus Tip
If you have skills that are unique to you and will add value to your CV, then be sure to bring them out clearly especially when they are very like to add value to your skillset.
For example, if you are a marketer who is keen on digital marketing aspects such as SEO and Blogging then bring that out clearly.
Read Also>> Refresh Your CV With These 6 Easy Steps
2.Show off your work in relevant ways
Take time to figure out the path your career is taking and showcase the relevant work you have done and achievements that will give you an edge.
Note that work or achievements that are not likely to add any value to your job search should not be on your CV.
Bonus Tip
In today’s digital era, maintaining a positive and relevant online also presence does count. Sites like linkedin.com help you connect easily with potential employers and recruiters by giving you a platform to showcase your expertise in the digital space.
It is possible to draw attention to yourself and showcase your skills on such sites creatively for example with the use of articles and thoughtful posts
3.Demonstrate Passion in your CV
As the saying goes, passion will take you where money won’t. When it comes to your CV, there are some things that will set you apart as being passionate about what you do.
For example, have you gone out of your way to learn new things related to your career? Have you undertaken volunteer work, have you done something that was really not expected of you but went ahead to pursue it because you love what you do?
Put that in your CV to demonstrate passion.
Bonus Tip
Don’t have any relevant hobbies or extras? Join professional groups related to what you do and network. This will give you an opportunity to gain additional skills from peers and make contacts that can help you in your career journey.
Professional groups such as ICPAK, CIM, KISM etc. will add great value to your career.
4.Include what you are learning in your CV
You could have just enrolled for your Master’s Degree or professional papers or further training relevant to your career. Put that down in your CV as an ongoing course and bring out the value that what you have learned so far is adding to your career.
You could also be undertaking some free online courses that are free but also add value to what you do and in as much as they don’t have certificates, put them on your CV as well.
Bonus Tip
Use your cover letter as an opportunity to discuss one of your current classes in depth. Dive into what you’re learning there and why you’re so incredibly excited about it.
Related>>> 7 Things That Should Not Be On Your CV in 2017
Would you like us to help you stand out in your job search with an incredible CV? Email cvwriting@corporatestaffing.co.ke for a FREE initial review.
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