The secret to capturing an employer’s attention and securing a job interview is writing a winning CV. Your CV is a reflection of who you are both professionally and personally. It should capture your uniqueness and strengths so that a potential employer can make a decision on whether you would be a right fit for the organization.
There are many ways to write a CV. However, it’s key to know what to include based on the job description and job market. For instance, some employers don’t ask for referees while others do. Employers also take a few seconds to make a decision on whether you meet their qualifications. Therefore, your CV should not only be informative but also clear and easy to read.
Here are some tips on how to write a winning CV for Kenyan employers.
Start with your personal details
Your CV should include your full names as they appear on your documents, your phone number, email address, location and a link to your LinkedIn profile. This gives potential employers a way to reach you if they need to verify your identity or invite you for an interview. Make sure the details are accurate and legible.
Write a gripping personal statement
This is another important section as it acts as an introduction and sets the tone for your entire CV. This is your chance to showcase how you will fit in the organization and succeed at your job using about 200 words. Showcase your skills, experience, achievements and goals but don’t be too generic. A good personal statement should entice the reader to continue looking at your CV or move you forward to the interview stage.
List your work experience
The work experience section shouldn’t be taken lightly. Your potential employer should see your career growth, the value you offered to other employers and the experience you gained. Keep it related to the work you’re applying to. List them in chronological order starting with your most recent work. Include the job title, company name, location, date of employment, key responsibilities and achievements.
Don’t leave gaps. Gaps look suspicious to employers and if they’re too many and too long, they may not give you a chance. If you have been out of work, you can put a positive spin on it by including something you did during the time off such as taking a course, volunteering, or developing soft skills.
Detail your education qualifications
This is another area where you can make a good impression on your potential employer. Detail all your education qualifications starting with the most recent. If you have two degrees, include both of them. However, short courses should be separated from degrees and diplomas using a subheading. Recent graduates who don’t have work experience can include relevant coursework or projects and the expected graduation date.
Show off your skills
The skills section shows employers that you have the right traits for the role. Therefore, you need to know what to include based on the job description. Find the key skills that the organization wants and list them first. You can also include other skills that are relevant to the job and will boost your chances of securing an interview. Use bullet points to list them. You can also put them in subcategories such as technical, professional and interpersonal skills.
Mention your certifications and awards
Whether it’s a certificate that you’ve earned from completing a training program or an award recognizing your efforts, these achievements are like the icing on the cake for your CV. They help to set you apart and show that you’re good at what you do.
List your referees
Many employers, especially in other countries, no longer require referees on a CV. This is to protect the referees’ information from falling into the wrong hands. However, some Kenyan employers still ask for them. If you’re applying for a job in Kenya, it’s best to include referees. You should list at least three referees whom you’re in contact with. They can be professional colleagues, lecturers, mentors, community leaders or family friends.
More tips
- Use a template to make your CV look more organized.
- Make sure your CV doesn’t have any grammatical, spelling or formatting errors.
- Quantify your achievements and incorporate keywords.
- Keep your CV to one or two page.
- Save it as a PDF file.