How to Create a CV

A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a short description of where you've worked, where you went to
school and your skills and qualifications. It gives an employer a sense of what you can do and
what experience you have. Employers decide who to interview based on the CVs they receive
for each job.

It is advisable to change your CV to meet the needs of the specific job you are applying for.
Emphasise certain skills more than others or highlight particular experiences more than
others for a particular job application.

This document will assist you with simple steps to create the perfect CV.

Once you have found the perfect job, you think you meet all the necessary requirements, but
before you apply for the position and thinking about a possible interview, you need to have a
CV that stands out from the rest.

For every job advertised, there are often hundreds of applications and many applicants
submit their CVs, which makes it very important that your CV captures the attention of the
Recruiters.

Getting started

Whenever you apply for a job, it is necessary for you to update you CV to display your
relevant skills and experience that relate to the position that you are applying for.

Step 1: Plan your CV

You will need the following information in order to draft your CV:

 Personal information: This includes your names, contact details and ID number.

 Work experience: List your work experience, starting with your most recent job and
working your way back to your first job. It is important that you include the actual dates
you started and left each organisation/company. You must also reflect the companies’
names and a summary of your key duties for each of the positions you held. It is
advisable to insert bullet points outlining your responsibilities and achievements in each
of the positions you held.

 Education: You must list all your qualifications, starting with the most recent and
ending with your first. You must include institution names, degrees/qualifications
earned, graduation dates, and any honors or distinctions.

 Skills: Write down all the necessary skills that you have acquired in the various
positions you have held in your career. If you don’t have any work experience then you
must list all the skills that you have which will enable you to perform the duties of the
post that you are applying for.

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 Achievements: It would be useful to highlight any specific accomplishments, awards,
or projects that demonstrate your skills and contributions in your previous positions.

 References: List the names, positions and current contact details of colleagues who
can give insight into your work performance. Make sure their contact information is
accurate and that you have their permission to use them.

Step 2: Design your CV

There are many ways to create your CV and with countless apps and digital tools, it just got
easier. Remember that your CV style needs to suit the type of job you’re applying for.

A professional CV should showcase your qualifications, experience, and suitability for the job
while being easy to read and visually appealing. The design should enhance the readability
and overall presentation of your CV, helping you stand out as a strong candidate.

You can use Microsoft Word to create your CV document. Save your Word document as a
PDF so that no one can change your details.

Here's how you can create a visually appealing and professional document:

 Choose a Clean Layout: Opt for a clean, organised layout that is easy to read. Use
a simple and professional font (e.g., Arial, Calibri) for the body text and a slightly larger
font for headings.

 Use bullet points: Present information using bullet points to make it easier for
employers to skim through your CV and quickly identify key details.

 Section Headings: Use clear section headings (e.g., Contact Information, Work
Experience, Education etc.) to structure your CV and guide the reader.

 Consistent Formatting: Maintain consistency in formatting, such as font sizes, text

alignment, and spacing, throughout the CV.

 Visual Hierarchy: Use formatting techniques (e.g., bold, italics, underlining) to create
a visual hierarchy, emphasising important information such as your name, headings,
and key achievements.

 Colours: Use limited colours, sticking to neutral and professional colors that
complement each other.

 Margins: Set reasonable header, footer and side margins to ensure that your CV
content fits comfortably within the page and is not crowded.

 Consistent Dates: Ensure that dates of employment, education, and other events
are consistently formatted.

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 PDF Format: Save your CV as a PDF to ensure that formatting remains consistent
across different devices and platforms.

 Proofread: Thoroughly review your CV for spelling, grammar, and formatting errors.
Consider having someone else review it as well. Even minor mistakes can create an
unprofessional impression.

 Optional Sections: Depending on your background, you might include sections like
certifications, languages, volunteer work, or memberships.

 Templates: Consider using CV templates available online to guide your design. Many
templates are customizable and can help you create a polished CV.

Step 3: Your cover letter

Although it is not mandatory to submit a CV cover letter, it could be beneficial to do so as it

will be the first thing most recruiters see before browsing through your CV. The CV is about
your qualifications and skills etc. but the cover letter should give recruiters an idea of whether
you meet the company’s requirements. Read the job advertisement so that the content in
your cover letter matches the requirements in the advertisement.

Here are some guidelines to assist you in preparing a CV cover letter:

 Heading and Contact Details: Place your name, address, phone number, and email
address at the top. Include the date of writing the letter beneath your contact details.

 Opening Paragraph: Start with a strong and personalised introduction. Mention the
specific job/s you're applying for and how you learned about it/them. Express your
enthusiasm for the opportunity to apply for the position/s.

 Middle Paragraph(s): Highlight your qualifications, skills, and experiences that

make you a suitable candidate for the role. Focus on how your background aligns with
the job requirements. Use specific examples to showcase your achievements. Explain
why you're interested in the organisation and how your values align with theirs.
Mention any research you've done about the company and its projects. Write down
three reasons telling the recruiter why they should hire you. Once you have listed the
reasons, back them up by listing your experience for each reason.

 Closing Paragraph: Summarise your interest in the role and express your eagerness
to discuss your application further. Mention that your CV is attached and that you're
looking forward to the opportunity to interview.

 Closing: End the letter with a professional closing, such as "Sincerely" or "Kind
regards." Leave space for your signature and type your name underneath. If sending
electronically, you can simply type your name.

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 Proofreading: Thoroughly proofread the cover letter for any grammatical or spelling
errors. Ensure the tone is professional and positive.

 Format: Format the cover letter similarly to a formal business letter. Use a professional
font and maintain a neat and organized layout.

 A well-written cover letter should complement your CV, showcase your motivation, and
explain why you're the right fit for the job.

Step 4: Review
Now that you have designed your CV, here are some tips to consider when planning and
preparing your CV:

 Make sure that you read the job advertisement properly and ensure that you
meet all the requirements before applying for a position.

 It is advisable not to include unnecessary information in your CV such as you

do not need to include your religion, a photo (unless it is requested), or your political
affiliation.

 Try to be creative when you describe your personality or skills. Avoid using
words the recruiter may have seen in 50 other CVs. Be credible, if your CV mentions
specific skills, remember to back this up with previous job experience and a reference
who can attest to this.

 Ensure that your CV is always neat and that there are no spelling or
grammatical errors as first impressions last.

 Use a font that is readable and easy to look at such as Arial, Helvetica, Century
Gothic or Calibri. Avoid making everything bold or uppercase.

 Do not skip any important details. Make sure you have a good subject line when
applying via e-mail; tell the person who you are and what job you’re applying for. The
person reading your e-mail may have 100 other messages to read so try to ensure that
your e-mail stands out.

 Always be contactable. If you are applying for a job, make sure you have provided
the correct contact details and that you answer your phone.

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Step 5: Finalise your CV

Use this checklist below to make sure your CV is error-free. If you have missed any of the
blocks, go back and amend your CV accordingly.

CV content review checklist Yes

Contact Information
I have included my full name, contact details, location and ID number.
My contact details are correct and the recruiter will have no problems getting hold
of me.
Work Experience
Listed in reverse chronological order with accurate dates.
Included job titles, company names, and locations.
Provided detailed bullet points for responsibilities and achievements.
Ensured there are no unexplained gaps in your work experience or inconsistencies
in dates.
Education
Listed in reverse chronological order with accurate dates, starting with my tertiary
education.
Included institution names, degrees/qualifications, and graduation dates.
Skills
I have listed the necessary skills for the job and ensured that my working
experience matches the skills I have listed.
Achievements
Included quantifiable accomplishments and significant projects.
References
My references are contactable and know that I am listing them.
Formatting
Consistent font styles and sizes throughout the CV.
Clear section headings and bullet points.
My CV design suits the jobs that I am applying for.
I have used spell check and have no grammatical errors.
Relevance
Ensured that your cover letter complements the information in your CV.
Tailored content to match the jobs you're applying for.