Make your CV Count!
Asenath Esu
Project/Program Manager || Transforming Ideas into Impact with data driven insights and project excellence
Hey again, if you could put yourself on a billboard for everyone to see, what would be on it? Well,? your CV is your billboard.
In the last edition of Next Steps with Asenath, we talked about stepping up your applications and ensuring they stand out. This edition is all about step 1 to making that happen, crafting a CV that doesn’t just sit in a pile but gets noticed!
Why Do CVs Even Matter?
Simply put, there is competition out there, and employers want the best. The curriculum vitae (CV) is the perfect way for employers to screen candidates before meeting them. Over the years, the CV has evolved from a simple list of qualifications into a powerful marketing tool that can make or break your job search (yes, you’re marketing yourself).
So, get this: Your CV isn’t just a piece of paper; it’s your first impression (first impressions matter, right?) and sometimes the only chance you get to convince a recruiter that you deserve an interview.
But here’s the catch—if your CV doesn’t tell the right story, it might never even be seen by human eyes.?Let’s fix that.
Tailor Your CV Like a Pro
I remember my first CV as a civil engineering student, it reflected my technical and analytical skills within the engineering field. My education, internships, and relevant coursework took centre stage. Then, when I tried out web development (we all know this didn’t work out), my CV looked completely different. Since I didn’t have job experience in tech, I had to focus on showcasing the projects I had built.
As a Project Manager and in my more informed years, my CV has evolved. I now understand that it should tell the right story for the job you’re applying for. How you present your skills and experience should align with what the employer is looking for. In my CV, I reference my construction and web development experience, but from a project management perspective. I focus on how I managed workflows, coordinated teams, and ensured successful project delivery.
Tip 1: Customize your CV for every role you apply for. Mirror the language and keywords from the job description, and prioritize relevant experience while leaving out what doesn’t add value.
Structure Matters—Keep It Clean & Concise
When I first created a CV, I thought the more information I included, the better. My early CVs were long, filled with every course I had ever taken, every minor role I had played, and elaborate text describing my responsibilities (very dreamy). It looked impressive (but recruiters weren’t impressed)—they simply didn’t have the time to sift through all that information.
Take it from me, clarity and brevity win whenever it comes to CVs. Your CV should be easy to scan through. Research shows that hiring managers typically spend only 6-10 seconds reviewing a CV before deciding whether to read further. So, keep it structured and concise so they see your value immediately.
Tip 2: Use clear headings: Work Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications, Projects.
Tip 3: Stick to one or two pages depending on your level of experience—quality over quantity!
Tip 4: Use bullet points instead of paragraphs for quick readability.
Highlight Achievements, Not Just Duties
Typically, we list job responsibilities like "Assisted in project planning" and "Managed daily tasks." While they sound okay, it doesn’t tell recruiters what impact we have made.
My shift from listing responsibilities to focusing on achievements happened during my web development period (see! No experience is wasted). I had to explain my projects, the tools I used, and how they worked. Instead of saying “Successfully created and deployed a web app”, I wrote “Successfully deployed a web app that was 3 times faster at checkout” That’s a statement that shows real impact.
Employers don’t just want to know what you did; they want to know how well you did it. Quantify your impact wherever possible.?
Tip 5: Use numbers, percentages, or measurable outcomes to show how your contributions made a difference. (e.g., “Managed a team of 10,” “Improved efficiency by 25%”)
Tip 6: Use action words like Led, Spearheaded, Increased, Developed, and Streamlined.
ATS-Friendly CVs—Beat the Bots
I talked about this guy (the robot recruiter) in the last edition. I learnt about it after being ghosted more times than I can remember. The Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) is the software recruiters use to filter CVs before they even reach a human.
If your CV isn’t optimized for ATS, it has fancy designs, graphics, and wording that doesn't match the job description exactly, then you have a problem. Your CV needs to pass ATS filters before a recruiter even sees it—make sure it's ATS-friendly!
Tip 7: Use simple formatting (avoid tables, graphics, and fancy fonts)
Tip 8: Include keywords from the job posting.
Tip 9: Use Standard Section Headings: The ATS will parse your resume correctly if you stick to sections like “Work Experience,” “Skills,” and “Education.”
Tip 10: Submit in PDF or .docx format (check the job posting for preference).
Tip 11: Run your CV through an ATS checker (like Jobscan) before submitting it.
Beware of Excessive AI Use in CV Writing
The keyword here is excessive. Truly, AI-generated CVs are quite impressive but another truth (yeah, there’s always more than one truth) is they don’t reflect your true experiences or personality. One more truth is that many recruiters can spot AI-generated text, and a CV that sounds robotic or overly polished might raise red flags. So,?use AI wisely:
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Tip 12: Let AI help with structuring and suggesting improvements, but don’t copy-paste everything.
Tip 13: Ensure your CV still reflects your unique experiences, voice, and achievements.
Tip 14: Double-check AI-generated content for accuracy and relevance(AI is dumb sometimes)
Remember, recruiters want to meet the real you, not just a well-crafted, generic description. Keep it real, and your CV will stand out for the right reasons.
Lastly, Avoid These Common CV Mistakes
We’ve all made our fair share of CV mistakes—using an unprofessional email, submitting files named Final CV New Updated (3 ).pdf, and even sending a CV with typos because I was in a rush. Needless to say, those applications didn’t get me very far.
Tip 15: Use a professional email ([email protected], not [email protected]).
Tip 16: Name your CV file properly (FirstName_LastName_CV.pdf).
Tip 17: Triple-check spelling and grammar—a small typo can make a big difference.
One of the best things I ever did was have someone else review my CV before submitting it. A fresh pair of eyes can catch errors you might miss!
I know this edition was a bit lengthy, but the key takeaway is to keep your CV simple enough to get past the ATS and for the recruiter to easily see your value.?
Here are some free tools to make your CV stand out:?
Get started with these job boards:
Internships:
Jobs:
Volunteering Opportunities:
Other Opportunities:
Events:
Let’s Stay Connected
In the next edition, we’ll talk about optimizing your LinkedIn profile to secure opportunities. But for now, take a fresh look at your resume. Does it meet these criteria? If not, it’s time for a rewrite! Share your thoughts in the comments, Are you rewriting your CV???
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Let’s take the next step together!
Until next time,
Asenath
#NextStepsWithAsenath #Opportunities #CareerTips #JobSearch #Applications #CVwriting #ATS
Programs Manager | Strategic Development | Project Leadership | Impact-Driven Initiatives | UN SDSN SDG Advocate | YALI RLC Fellow
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