Landing a dream job in Nigeria can be difficult without proper preparations. But these tips can help you on how to write a CV that will land your dream job.
Landing a dream job is tricky. You need to make the right preparations that will attract the interests of potential employers.
Once you have mastered the skills and tricks, you need to build a fully functional CV that will market your skills to your potential employers.
Your CV is the gateway and first step towards acceptance. You need to personalize, refine, proof, and connect all the dots. Here are some tips you can use when writing your CV to land you that dream job.
Prepare
Do your research about the additional skills you need to boost your marketability. Most companies do not employ graduates without experience. But when you have complementary skills and certifications, you are raising your chances of being noticed. Avoid picking up skills that are far from your core job. For instance, getting safety training when you have a graduate degree in Microbiology. Build a clear and concise career path, so you will only search for relevant jobs.
Pick the Right CV format
There are three CV formats to choose from. They all serve different purposes and include:
Reverse-chronological resumes
This CV provides every information in chronological order without extra details. It is mainly used by individuals with a lot of work experience
Functional resumes
These resumes will outline your skills first and force the experience section into the background or bottom. These resumes are used mainly by fresh graduates but should be used with caution. Since employers will have to take your claims on skills at face level, consider adding volunteer, nonprofit or freelance work to your CV to improve your appeal
Combination resumes
This is a popular choice for people with lots of academic experience. It’s a mix of the chronological and functional resumes.
Write an Impressionable Personal statement
Most people write just about anything in this section. Bear in mind that your personal statement sits at the top of your CV. If it’s not appealing enough, the potential employer can cast it aside.
Make sure your personal statement is not only focused on you but on the interests of your employer.
Let them know how best your skills can work for them. Don’t be afraid to brag a little in this section. Your personal summary should only be 100 words max.
Identify Details needed
With a clear career path, you can build a fully functional CV that works for different job applications. But it’s always essential to tweak your CV from time to time to your potential employer’s needs.
Whether you have lots of experience or not, it won’t count to your employer, if you are talking about your skills in teaching when applying for a lab job.
It’s better to write a one-page CV that is focused on your employer’s interests than a 3-paged masterpiece that includes all kinds of experiences they will have to spend lots of time weaving through to discover if you are the right choice
Use simple writing
Avoid using lots of bogus words when explaining job descriptions, writing your personal summary, or outlining your skills. A simple explanation is always the best way to show that you are competent.
Use clear legible fonts
You don’t have to use generic fonts like Times New Roman or Arial. You can also use fonts like Tahoma, Helvetica, Garamond, or Bookman Old Style. However, make sure you use 11 to 12pt font size and single spacing.
You can use 14 to 16pth font size for names and section titles. Bold areas you want to be highlighted. But avoid using italics or underlining in your CV.
Use photos or not use photos
There’s an ongoing debate about adding pictures to your CV. Some employers want to see a picture, others do not require it. Make sure you research before adding one. And never add a stiff ID photo to your CV. Make sure the picture depicts you as smart, friendly, and professional.
Get rid of generic details
No one wants to know whether you got your first school living certificate or Waec. They won’t have time to go through those details.
You can also avoid adding your bio information as well. Most modern CVs have four crucial elements, namely:
- Address/Phone & Email Contact
- Professional Summary
- Work experience
- Professional Education
And so here are some tips you can use when writing your CV to land that dream job. If you need more help, don’t hesitate to ask in the comment section.