How to write a standout CV
In a competitive job market, a well-crafted CV and cover letter are your gateway to a securing an interview. Whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting out, tailoring your CV to highlight relevant skills and experiences is crucial and the team at Crescent Consulting have put together a few tips to help you create a standout CV.
There are many CV templates available online and the right one will depend on the position and company you are applying to. A UX/UI designer’s CV should display their creative talent and include portfolio links and/or examples of their work whereas a Systems Engineer’s CV will be focused on their systems knowledge, relevant work experience and certifications.
Many organisations prefer a CV style that emphasizes chronological work experience and key skills. This format allows the reader to quickly assess your career progression and relevant capabilities.
Ideally the CV lead page will have a technical summary, outlining your technical skills and rated from expert level to basic level. Whatever the style, your CV will need to include the following essential information.
Contact Information: Begin with your full name, phone number, email address and optionally, a LinkedIn profile link. Include your location (city and country if you reside outside New Zealand). Please include the kind of visa you hold, including expiry date, if you are not a NZ Citizen.
Professional Summary: A concise, bullet pointed paragraph (up to 150 words) tailored for each role and highlighting your relevant skills and experiences that align with the job you are applying for.
Key Skills: This section should be easily scannable, allowing recruiters to quickly identify your key strengths. This could be a technical summary outlining programming languages, platforms, tools and methodologies you are familiar with. You can also rate them from Expert Level to Basic Level.
Work Experience: List your work history in reverse chronological order (starting with the most recent). Include job titles, company names, a brief description of the company’s business, location, start and end dates (month and year), and key responsibilities and achievements (bullet points). It can be helpful to provide a link to the company website.
Education & Qualifications: Include your relevant academic background, including degrees, certifications or additional qualifications. Also mention the academic institutions you attended and gained qualifications at. If the list is long, just include the qualifications and certifications relevant for the role you are applying for Do not add high school information unless you are a recent Graduate.
Training and professional development: List any relevant training and professional development but keep it limited to a time frame of between 10 – 15 years back. Anything prior is likely not relevant.
Portfolio Link: Include a link to your portfolio showcasing your work or projects you worked on but only if applicable to the role (e.g., design portfolio or software applications or projects).
Interests: Include insight into your personality and outside interests but keep it brief. This should be bullet pointed and not too detailed. Keep it interesting. Avoid political and religious statements unless they are relevant to the role.
References: It’s OK to state that references are available upon request. Avoid attaching proof of qualifications or references initially; these can be provided later in the recruitment process if requested. It is advisable to not put referee’s names or phone numbers on the CV, unless it is requested.
Once you have gathered all the essential information, proofread and remember to:
Keep it Concise: Aim for approximately two to three pages. Use bullet points and concise language to maintain readability.
Relevance is Key: Include only information relevant to the job you are applying for. Tailor each CV to highlight the skills and experiences relevant to the role and company.
Review and Edit: You can utilize AI tools but it’s important to review and personalise your CV. There’s nothing more off-putting than receiving a CV with generic content. Have someone proofread your CV for clarity, grammar and formatting consistency.
We have included a simple CV template for you to use below but if this one isn’t right for you, there are many available online. www.careers.govt.nz is a great place to start if you are looking for more resources and templates to help you structure your CV effectively.
There is a separate article in our resources about how to write a winning Cover letter. You should always tailor a cover letter to each of your applications.
