As recruiters, we receive hundreds of job applications a day, so presenting a good CV is paramount and  gives you a chance to stand out from the crowd. Get it right, and you’ll have an interview in no time, but get it wrong, and you may face countless rejections.

Think of your CV as your personal marketing document used to sell yourself to prospective employers. It should tell them about you, your professional history, your skills, abilities and achievements. Ultimately, it should highlight why you are the best person for the job.

Information to Include in your CV

Cover Letter:

Taking the time to write a bespoke Cover Letter is well worth the time as it will demonstrate your interest in the company, show the reader how you can benefit the organization and gives you the edge over other applicants. Your cover letter should not be a duplicate of your CV, but rather it should highlight a few key skills and experiences on your CV that the employer values most, as a result, every letter should be tailored to the specific role or company you’re applying for. To ensure you get this right, you need to do your research keeping the following points in mind:

• Who will be receiving and reading your letter?
• Skills and experience mentioned in the job description?
• The company and its culture?
• Their competitors and market position?
• Any recent news and trends?
• The vision and strategy of the organization?

Your Personal Profile:

Name, professional title and contact Details (phone numbers and email address are essential) Also include a link to your LinkedIn Profile (make sure your profile is updated). The addition of a photo is optional, although what you look like has no bearing on your ability to perform the job. Should you choose to add a photo, be sure to keep it professional and appropriate for business.

Include a brief overview of who you are, what you can offer the company and what your career goals are. Tailor your profile to the job you are applying for highlighting specific skills and qualities that match you to the role. Be sure to keep this section, short, to the point and catchy!

Experience and Employment History:

Outline your previous jobs (not more than 10 years, the last 5 years are most applicable), internships and work experience. List your most recent role first and follow with previous job history. State the job title, the employer, dates you worked and summary of the role. Ensure you highlight duties relevant to the role you are applying for.

Education and Qualifications:

Include the name of the Institutions, the dates you were enrolled followed by the qualifications you achieved. List your most recent qualification first and follow with the rest.

Every CV is different as you want to show why your set of skills make you suitable for the position you are applying for at the time, but all follow a similar structure indicated in this write up, so hopefully these tips help in ensuring you have a winning CV!

To find out more about vacancies at Vodacom click here. 

Aleathia Martin is a Talent Acquisition Partner at Vodacom.