Mastering the Art of CV Writing

Your CV is your first handshake with a potential employer, it tells your story before you even step into a room (or a Zoom call). But how do you make it stand out in a sea of applications? Let's break it down into essentials, so you never miss the mark again.

1?? The Must-Have Sections

Think of your CV as a treasure map, guiding the recruiter straight to your brilliance. Here's what you can’t leave out:

• Contact Details

No one can hire you if they can’t reach you! Ensure your email, phone number, and LinkedIn profile are correct.        

• Professional Summary

A concise, 3-4 line snapshot that showcases your career highlights and what you bring to the table.        

• Work Experience

Highlight achievements, not just job responsibilities. Use action verbs like "led," "achieved," or "streamlined" to grab attention.        

• Education

Keep it relevant! If your maritime certifications hold more weight than your college degree, list them first.        

• Skills

Focus on hard?and soft?skills that are job-specific. Pro tip: Check the job description for keywords.        

2?? Avoid These Common Pitfall

We’ve spotted patterns in CVs that don’t quite make the cut. Here’s how to avoid them:

• Information Overload

Keep it to 2 pages max. Recruiters are skimming—make every word count!        

• Typos and Errors

Spellcheck isn’t enough. Have someone else review your CV to catch mistakes you might overlook.        

• Generic Content

Avoid one-size-fits-all CVs. Tailor it to each role. Trust us, it’s worth the extra effort.        

3?? First Impressions Count—Formatting Matters

Your CV should be easy on the eyes:

• Use a clean, professional font like Calibri or Arial.
• Stick to black and white unless a splash of colour adds clarity (like section headers).
• Align text properly as uneven spacing can be distracting.

What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to CV writing? Drop a comment below!

? Stay tuned for our next issue.