Stay informed! Visit the SA Department of Health's website for COVID-19 updates: www.sacoronavirus.co.za

March to your own drum: How to inject personality into your CV

My Job
My Job

Urgent reminder: It’s time to update that CV, fam. I know what you’re thinking: I’m still in the same job and nothing’s changed – but a lot has! Working from home because of the pandemic has taught us so many new skills, and we aren’t just talking about listening to meetings while in the shower (although it is a handy skill, sorry not sorry).

 If you think we’re here to tell you to update your address and to change that font, you’d be correct but that’s not the only thing on our agenda.

We’re here to teach you how to inject some of your dazzling personality into your CV. Life’s too short to not put yourself out there, you are your own unique brand after all. 

  • Start your CV up by writing a personal (but professional) summary that’ll tell HR who you are and what you do.
    • Write in the first person, using the word ‘I’ when referring to yourself.
    • Write it as though you are telling the hiring manager your story, while dressed in your best digs.
    • Write in full, well-formed sentences and avoid sentence fragments.
    • Avoid clichés, industry jargon and praising adjectives like savvy or seasoned. You’re too good for that.
    • Make sure you outline how you came, saw and conquered each job you’ve had so far.
  • Stay away from business jargon that uses a lot of words that essentially mean nothing.
  • Click here to decode them with us:
  • Don’t just talk about your talents, talk about how you have used your talents to slay at your job.
  • Give the reader a peek into your past roles and the companies’ backstory so they can get a clearer picture of your skills and talents.
  • Tell them how you got each of your previous roles and why you left them.
  • Think about the state of the world and the state of your industry at the moment. Make sure you list all the new and old skills you have. They can be things like:
    • Collaboration
    • Focus
    • Time management
    • Adaptability
    • Self-discipline
    • Flexibility
    • Effective communication skills
    • Ability to balance family and career responsibilities

 If you’re looking for an awesome smart CV, then search no further. Visit Move Up to get yours now.

Sources:

Stay informed! Visit the SA Department of Health's website for COVID-19 updates: www.sacoronavirus.co.za