A curriculum vitae, or CV, outlines your educational and professional experiences and qualifications. A CV is the standard document required by employers and recruiters during the recruitment process and can be a decisive factor in the advancement of your career.
As a recent graduate or young professional with no more than 3 years experience, your CV will likely be relatively brief, but it should still include all of the essential information about your educational background and relevant experience.
For starters, a CV for a young professional should include the following information:
CV Sections
Contact information
This is the header of your CV and includes your name, email address, and phone number. You can also include your physical address here.
For most recent graduates, you’ll find them including additional information like nationality, age, religion, etc… Such information is considered clutter and adds no value to your CV.
Education
As a recent graduate, your education is likely your most relevant qualification. List your educational qualifications, starting with the most recent degree or certification you have received. Include the name of the institution, the degree you earned, and the dates you attended.
For date attended, month and year is more than enough information needed.
Experience
Even if you don’t have a lot of professional experience, you may still have relevant experience, such as extracurricular activities or volunteer work.
If you have any relevant experience, such as internships or jobs in your field, you should them here. Include the name of the organization you worked for, your job title, and the dates you worked there.
Here you can also briefly state key tasks you did and any achievement or skill learnt in that role.
Skills, Awards & Achievements
Include a section on your CV that highlights your relevant hard/soft skills and abilities. This could include technical skills, such as proficiency in a specific programming language or software, as well as soft skills, such as communication or teamwork.
Here you can also list non-academic achievements that you have earned that might add weight to your qualifications.
If you have received any awards or honors, such as scholarships or academic prizes, you can also add them here.
References
If needed by the recruiter, you can include at least two or three references on your CV. These should be individuals who can speak to your qualifications and experience, such as a former professor or supervisor. Be sure to include their name, title, and contact information.
Guidelines to Follow
There are no globally set rules when it comes to writing a CV. Some organizations have their own templates that they’ll require you to use when applying for their open vacancies.
But there are some general guidelines that can help you create a well-organized and effective CV that stands out to the recruiter. Here are some key rules to follow when editing your CV:
Keep it short & concise
As a recent graduate or young professional, you probably have little or no professional experience. Your CV should be no more than one page long, and should be focused on highlighting your most relevant qualifications and experiences. Avoid including irrelevant or outdated information, and use clear and concise language throughout.
Use a clear and easy-to-read format
Your CV should be well-organized and easy to navigate, with clear headings and sections. Use bullet points to list information, and make sure to use consistent formatting throughout the document.
Tailor your CV to the job or field you are applying for
Your CV should be customized to the specific position or field you are applying for. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences, and include keywords that are relevant to the job or field.
Include contact information
At the top of your CV, be sure to include your name, email address, and phone number only
Proofread and edit carefully
Before you submit your CV, make sure to proofread it carefully for spelling and grammar errors. Ask someone else to read it over as well, to make sure it is clear and error-free.
Unless otherwise stated, always share your CV in PDF format to protect it’s formatting and to make it easier for recruiter to open.
CampusBiz offers CV Editing, Rewrite and Revamping services for Recent Graduates. Click here to request one our CV experts to review your CV.
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