A Recent Graduate Can Also Write a Professional CV and Secure a Job

Writing a CV or résumé may appear simple, especially for a recent graduate, but it can be tricky. It's not just a document; it's the first impression you create on potential employers, and it can make or break your chances of landing a job.

You may think that adding your name, contact details, names of schools and universities, courses undertaken, and exam grades completes the first CV. Perhaps. However, there are several problems with this idea.

Thousands of others will do the same, and the employer will have no way to determine why you are different. Exam grades and academic records were once considered to measure a candidate's intelligence level and diligence. That is not the case anymore. Today’s employers want to know whether the candidate can adapt to a fast-changing professional world, work under tight timeframes, and be capable of handling real-life issues persistently and diligently.

What HR Managers Look For

HR Managers must skim through thousands of applications to fill just one position. That’s how difficult their job has become. Under ever-increasing industry pressure to perform, no employer will recruit a recent graduate without checking their ability to deliver, which requires diverse experiences, practical skills, and cultural fit over traditional academic performances.

That means graduates must highlight such skills and experiences in their CVs, which come from part-time work. I strongly recommend starting part-time work as soon as possible (private tutoring isn’t a job experience). Consistent part-time employment demonstrates your ability to learn, deliver, adapt, and work in a team. It gives the employer a good way to assess you.

Suppose your CV shows that you started as a pizza delivery boy and gradually rose to become the store's assistant manager. Anyone will see that you must have satisfied the customers and your manager at every level and that you have consistently improved yourself. Your CV will stand out from the rest.

You may also consider volunteering; that will add similar experience and credibility to your profile.

Show Your Skills, Not Educational Excellence

Don’t list academic courses and grades. They don’t show your ability to work on a real-life problem. Unfortunately, most educational programs are inconsistent with the industry’s diverse needs. That’s why a long list of courses won’t increase your chances of securing a job. Instead, list the skills you have that are relevant to the job you are applying for. If it’s a company that conducts surveys and investigations to collect field data, highlight where you have done similar works, used relevant technologies such as mobile apps and GPS devices, analyzed the data with software, and collected related secondary data from other sources to support your analyses and reporting. Whatever skills you are trying to highlight, you may find that several of your courses are quite relevant. It would be a strong point if you have relevant part-time work experience. If you don’t have it, highlight relevant skills demonstrated in internships, research work, capstone projects, or volunteering.

A long list of courses won’t increase your chances of securing a job. Instead, list the skills you have that are relevant to the job you are applying for.

Summary

Here are the tips for writing a recent graduate’s CV:

• Tailor the CV every time based on the task assignment. Keep it within two pages.
• Highlight practical skills relevant to the job rather than academic records. Mention your graduation program (e.g., BS, year, university name) briefly. Employers are interested in your ability to apply knowledge in real-life situations, not just your academic achievements.
• Make an online portfolio and include the link in your CV. This provides a comprehensive view of your skills and experiences, making you more accessible to potential employers. Your online portfolio can be a LinkedIn profile or a personal website.
• Include your contacts (one phone number and one email address).
• Write a brief cover letter summarizing how you will fit in the role, mentioning any similar jobs or volunteering you may have already done.

Another Important Thing

Remember, a career starts with a job, which can begin at any stage of your life. The sooner you start, the richer your CV will be. Then, when you graduate, you will already have a proven track record.