Making Your CV Outstanding

We are all looking for a competitive salary in a highly competitive and saturated job market. I wonder how that is going?

As a young university graduate with good grades, I figured it would not be so difficult to land a good job, but landing my dream job was looking like a series of mission impossible because it turns out there are a thousand and one persons with good grades too!

In the competitive and saturated employment ecosystem, it is not enough to be a ‘good candidate’, because you best believe that you’re not the only good candidate. This article is going to be all about when ‘good’ does not make the cut in the employment ecosystem.

I am sure if we are all asked if we have a CV, 90% will give an affirmative answer and the remaining 10% are still working on it… I guess. But when looking for that dream job and wanting to climb up the career ladder, you have to be outstanding! Being 'good is not always enough, and the first step to being outstanding is with your CV.

Why Do You Need a CV?

In my days, I have read some really good CVs and some that just left me in stitches. One thing they all have in common is that I do not know any of the candidates, and I can only make an assessment and decision based on what their CV tells me about them!

Your CV is how you make a great impression on your potential employer and you need to make an impression that counts. While there is no one size fits all for CVs, there are some important things to consider in the creation of an outstanding CV.

Start off with a short profile

This is at the top page of your CV and that is about the first place anyone with your CV will look at. Ensure that you make it a memorable and interesting read that makes them want to go through the rest of your CV and meet you. Most importantly, give them a clear idea of who you are and keep it short.

Stick to relevant information

This is a good time to completely destroy this table so that everyone on it can fall down and climb another table. For the 9,999th time, your age, state of origin, marital status, and religion are not needed on your CV. Except they explicitly ask you for it, if not, take it out!

Only include relevant details like your personal profile, contact details, educational background, skills, work experience, activities, and referee (if required).

 Include extracurricular activities

A lot of employers are interested in people with good work/life balance. According to the CEO of Emerge;

"I always look at extracurricular activities, as a work/life balance is so important," she explains. "Sports you play, any achievements, challenges, other qualifications, side hustles, or events you have attended, memberships you have. Being interested immediately makes you more interesting as a candidate."

Also, extracurricular activities are quite useful especially if you have no prior experience as this shows off your genuine interest and ability to work.

Include your LinkedIn profile or portfolio

Your LinkedIn profile or portfolio gives a potential employer a better idea of you as a person and an employee with just one click. This is why it is advised to update your profile from time to time. Let your profile represent you and put you in a good light.

This could also help position you for better offers and career growth. A lot of people have randomly gotten job offers because someone came across their profile and felt they were suited for a position they were hiring for.

Remember that when good does not cut it, all that is left is to be outstanding.

That never goes unnoticed.

Stay Jiggy, Be outstanding!

Cheers,

Kiki