A Curriculum Vitae, commonly called a CV. In some countries, including the United States and Canada, it is generally called a résumé, although the contents remain broadly the same. This article explains that a professional CV needs to bring together several important areas, including a personal profile, employment history, skills and abilities, achievements, educational qualifications, personal development, and hobbies and interests.
Creating a CV requires more thought than simply listing jobs and qualifications. Skillveta presents the CV as an important job-searching document and a selling document. It needs to communicate what a person can offer, while giving the prospective employer enough information to understand the individual’s skills, abilities and achievements. The article also stresses that preparing a CV should take time and should not be treated as something that can be completed successfully in a short period.
Understanding the Purpose of a CV
The CV is one of the key tools available when exploring career opportunities. Skillveta compares it with a selling document because it needs to communicate both the features and benefits of the individual. Skills and abilities represent the features, while achievements demonstrate the benefits of those skills and abilities.
This distinction is important when creating a CV. Simply saying that you possess a particular skill does not communicate the same information as showing how that skill has been used successfully. Skillveta therefore gives considerable attention to identifying skills, abilities and achievements and then recording them properly in the CV.
A CV also develops as a person progresses through life. Skillveta suggests that consideration should begin during the secondary or high-school years because maintaining a record of achievements can help young people when applying for university. As education, employment, personal development and other experiences increase, the CV should be updated regularly so that it reflects new skills, qualifications and achievements.
Skillveta also points out that valuable skills can be gained outside employment. Non-work activities can provide experiences and achievements that may have value when presented in a CV. This means that people should consider what they have accomplished throughout their lives rather than concentrating exclusively on paid employment.
The Foundations of a Professional CV
Before constructing the document, Skillveta establishes several basic principles. These are presented through the ABCs of CV preparation.
The first principle is to create a good first impression and tell the truth. The CV should be clear and concise, with the initial objective of creating impact and a professional impression. Every statement should be truthful because the applicant should be able to support claims made on the CV with real-life examples from their experience.
Presentation is also important. Skillveta recommends consistency throughout the document. For a CV being sent by post, it recommends good-quality white paper with a minimum weight of 100 grams. For fonts, Arial or Times New Roman are suggested, generally in sizes between 10 and 12. The pages should have a consistent appearance, with particular attention given to the first page because it establishes the impression for the remainder of the document.
The third area concerns grammar, wording and punctuation. Skillveta recommends writing the CV in the third person so that continual use of the word “I” can be avoided. Spelling and punctuation need careful attention, and jargon should be avoided. Skillveta also recommends having another person check the document instead of depending entirely on computer spell-checking because software does not necessarily identify every mistake.
The choice of words is particularly important when a CV is uploaded to an internet site. According to Skillveta, online documents may be scanned for keywords associated with the position and industry being targeted. Therefore, the wording used in the CV should properly reflect the individual’s relevant skills and experience.
Take Time to Prepare Your CV
Skillveta strongly argues that preparing a CV takes time. It rejects the idea that a professional CV should simply be completed overnight or in less than an hour. The document represents a person’s course of life, so the information needs to be considered carefully.
There is also an important practical reason for getting the document right. Skillveta explains that a potential employer may have only two or three minutes to read a CV. This makes clarity, organization and relevant information particularly important. The reader needs to be able to identify the important information without having to work through unnecessary material.
Choosing the Right Type of CV
Skillveta discusses two main types of CV: the Reverse Chronological CV and the Functional CV. Both have a role in the job-searching process, and Skillveta recommends understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Reverse Chronological CV
The Reverse Chronological CV presents employment history starting with the current or most recent position and then moving backwards through earlier employment. Skillveta describes this as a straightforward format.
The amount of employment history included depends on the individual’s career. As a general rule, Skillveta recommends covering approximately the last 10 to 12 years. Important achievements from earlier employment can still be included under a separate heading such as Earlier Career History.
For people beginning their careers, there may not be a substantial employment history. In such circumstances, work experience, part-time employment, study-related activities and achievements outside school, college or university can be considered instead.
Skillveta recommends keeping the Reverse Chronological CV to no more than three pages. One of its advantages is that it shows career progression and additional responsibilities over time. It is also easy to read and organize, and prospective employers often request this version.
There are disadvantages as well. Employment gaps can be quickly identified, although Skillveta notes that these are increasingly accepted. Another issue is that the most recent position may not necessarily be the most important role a person has held, meaning that important achievements could appear later in the document. Multiple similar positions can also result in a large number of dates and achievements, making the document less interesting to read.
Functional CV
The Functional CV takes a different approach. It can be useful for people who have carried out numerous similar roles within a short period or who are changing industrial sectors. Rather than making the dates the main focus, it presents career achievements over a period of time.
Skillveta recommends keeping this version to approximately two pages. One advantage is that important earlier career achievements can be placed prominently. It also groups achievements together, making them easier for the reader to identify. Employment breaks are less immediately visible.
However, the Functional CV also has disadvantages. If an employer specifically wants a full CV, this format may not be considered appropriate. Career paths and individual positions may not be immediately clear, and employment gaps can become more noticeable because of the way the document is structured.
Because both formats have useful applications, Skillveta recommends having both versions available. This gives the job seeker an alternative format when circumstances require it.
Building the Personal Profile
The Personal Profile is given particularly strong importance by Skillveta. It appears on the front page directly below personal details such as the name, address, telephone numbers and email address.
Skillveta gives three main reasons for its importance. It occupies a prominent position on the first page, it creates the first impression, and it functions as a headline intended to encourage the reader to continue through the document. The Personal Profile therefore begins the process of presenting the individual’s skills, abilities and achievements.
The profile should not become a statement about what the applicant wants to achieve in their career. Skillveta specifically warns against using the profile as a place to state career objectives. Instead, it should flow naturally, create interest and remain reasonably concise. Skillveta also suggests preparing several profiles so that an appropriate version can be used for different positions when necessary.
Creating the Personal Profile requires an understanding of yourself. Skillveta asks questions about the words and phrases that best describe an individual, their emotions and characteristics. It introduces a “Compass Questionnaire” as an exercise intended to help identify these characteristics.
The exercise divides characteristics into four areas called North, South, East and West. Its purpose is to help individuals identify descriptive words and phrases that may be useful when constructing their Personal Profile. Skillveta also explains that there may not be one single direction that completely describes a person. Different characteristics can exist together.
Identifying Skills and Abilities
Skills and abilities form another major part of the CV. Skillveta explains that these represent the features of the individual’s selling document. It recommends identifying them rather than simply producing an unstructured list.
Skillveta provides examples of ways to express skills through meaningful statements. These include interpersonal skills, listening, writing, communication, leadership, coaching, planning, organizing, working under pressure, professional development, strategic thinking, problem solving, research, analysis, attention to detail, cost awareness, business development, client service, adaptability and software knowledge.
The approach is to communicate what the individual can actually do. For example, instead of merely listing a skill, the examples presented by Skillveta describe how that ability is demonstrated in practice.
Technical skills can also be presented separately when appropriate. Skillveta gives IT-related examples such as networking computers, installing wireless technology, increasing hard-drive memory, installing software and resolving technical problems. A separate Technical Skills and Abilities section can therefore be included when an individual’s career requires specific technical expertise.
Recording Career Achievements
Achievements are another central part of the CV. Skillveta treats achievements as the benefits associated with the individual’s skills and abilities.
When identifying achievements, Skillveta encourages the reader to consider a series of questions. These include whether they have created a new idea or process, improved an existing procedure, saved time, increased productivity, completed personal development, supported another part of the business, organized events, coached or trained others, delivered presentations, received positive feedback, built relationships, participated in successful teams, led initiatives or helped establish a team.
These questions are designed to help people recognize achievements that they may otherwise overlook.
Once the achievements have been identified, Skillveta recommends bringing together statements for each position, beginning with the current role and working backwards through approximately 10 to 15 years. Achievements should be presented under a clear heading and organized using bullet points. Earlier achievements can be retained when they are important, using headings such as Earlier Career Achievements or Earlier Career History.
The same principle applies to people who are starting their careers. Achievements do not have to come exclusively from employment. Educational activities, part-time work, volunteering and activities outside school can all provide achievements that may have relevance to a CV.
Education, Personal Development and Training
Educational qualifications should form another section of the CV. Skillveta recommends presenting this information in a structured and logical way.
The examples presented by Skillveta use bullet points to make qualifications easy for the reader to identify. It also emphasizes keeping the information concise. Dates and locations where qualifications were obtained are not necessarily required in every situation.
Education does not stop with formal qualifications. Personal development and training can also demonstrate continued learning. Skillveta includes professional development as part of the overall CV structure and gives examples of maintaining up-to-date knowledge through personal development.
For someone who is still studying, ongoing education can also be included. The student CV template from Skillveta includes Education Qualifications, Personal Development and Training and specifically allows information about ongoing study to be included.
Hobbies and Interests
Hobbies and interests provide another opportunity to communicate information about the individual. Skillveta describes this section as an integral part of the CV because it shows that a person has a life outside the work environment.
Hobbies can also become part of an interviewer’s questioning strategy because they can provide another perspective on an individual’s character and way of thinking. Skillveta encourages readers to consider whether their activities outside work have produced achievements that should be included.
An important point is not to assume that an ordinary hobby has no value. Skillveta gives the example of an individual who described walking as a hobby. On further discussion, it emerged that the person had walked across the Sahara Desert as part of a team challenge that raised £25,000 for a cancer charity. The example demonstrates how an apparently ordinary interest can reveal a significant personal achievement.
Skillveta recommends keeping hobbies and interests to the point. Where an activity has produced meaningful results or brought value to yourself or others, it can be recorded as an achievement. Where hobbies have produced several significant achievements, Skillveta suggests that these may deserve their own heading, such as External Business or Career Achievements.
Structuring the Finished CV
Skillveta provides suggested templates for different types of CV. The Reverse Chronological format begins with personal details, followed by the Personal Profile, Positions Held, Key Achievements, Key Skills and Abilities, Education Qualifications/Personal Development/Training, and Interests and Hobbies.
The Functional CV begins with personal details and the Personal Profile, followed by Career Achievements, Key Skills and Abilities, Employment Details, Education Qualifications/Personal Development/Training, and Interests and Hobbies.
A student CV has a somewhat different structure because students may not have extensive employment histories. The suggested structure includes personal details, date of birth, Personal Profile, Key Achievements in School, achievements outside school or work experience, Key Skills and Abilities, Education Qualifications/Personal Development/Training and Interests and Hobbies.
Skillveta also makes clear that these templates do not have to be treated as permanent structures. Sections can be rearranged when there is a reason to do so, provided that the finished document remains logical, clear and concise. For example, Key Skills and Abilities could potentially be placed under the Personal Profile.
The Final CV Checklist
After bringing the various sections together, Skillveta identifies ten essentials for producing a professional CV.
The Personal Profile should immediately capture the reader’s attention and begin the selling process. Each role should be introduced when using a Reverse Chronological CV. Achievements should be clear and concise, while Key Skills and Abilities should communicate the features of the individual’s experience. Technical skills can be included where appropriate.
Educational qualifications should be combined with relevant personal development and training. Hobbies and interests should show that the individual has a life outside work. Presentation should remain consistent and easy to read, with appropriate fonts and style.
Spelling and grammar should be checked carefully, preferably with another person reviewing the document rather than relying exclusively on computer software. Finally, Skillveta emphasizes taking time when producing the CV because it represents the individual’s course of life.
What to Do After Completing Your CV
Completing the CV is not the end of the job-searching process. Skillveta describes the completed document as a powerful job-searching tool and emphasizes the importance of remaining focused and confident after it has been prepared. It then identifies five ways in which the CV can be used when approaching the employment market: networking, speculative mail shots, the internet, recruitment agencies and responding to advertisements.
Networking involves using people you already know. Skillveta suggests considering family members, friends, neighbours, social contacts, professional contacts and educational contacts. It recommends keeping a record of contacts and considering different ways of approaching them, including telephone calls, email and written communication.
Speculative mail shots provide another route because some positions, particularly management positions, may never be advertised. Skillveta recommends researching the companies being approached and learning about them before making contact. The approach should communicate an interest in future opportunities and explain the skills, knowledge, experience and achievements that could bring value to the business.
The internet provides another avenue for researching companies and uploading a CV to recruitment websites. Recruitment agencies can also form part of the search process. Skillveta recommends registering with several agencies where possible while being clear about the industry, type of work, desired benefits, salary, travel distance and availability.
Finally, advertisements provide another route into employment. Skillveta discusses advertisements appearing in newspapers, trade magazines and journals, the internet and local radio. The CV remains an important document when responding to these opportunities.