Whats CV For a Job: Definition With CV Building Steps For 2023
4 min read
What is a CV, and how is it different from a resume?
Most job applicants get confused between a CV and a Resume. Though both are used to apply for a job opportunity, there are a few differences that make them different from each other.
Noting this, we are clearing all the confusion between a CV and a resume. Apart from this, here you will also learn how to build an impactful CV to grab your desired position in 2023.
We are answering the following fundamental questions regarding CV building here:
- Whats CV for a job?
- What is the difference between a CV and a resume?
- What should be the length of a CV?
- What should I include in a CV?
- What should I avoid while building a CV?
- How many types of CVs are there?
- How to write a good CV?
- What kind of CV gets rejected?
- Is a cover letter important with a CV?
You can frame a CV by referring to any online template or using HyreSnap Online Resume Builder. It is an AI-based tool that builds a professional CV in some clicks.
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For now, let's move on and get every fundamental information about building a professional CV in 2023:
A CV, or curriculum vitae, is a document that provides an overview of a person's professional and academic history.
It typically includes information such as the individual's education, work experience, skills, publications, and other relevant achievements.
A CV is commonly used when applying for academic positions, research opportunities, or jobs in fields such as medicine, law, or academia.
Unlike a resume, which is typically limited to one or two pages, a CV can be several pages long and may include more detailed information about a person's qualifications and accomplishments.
CV and resume are both documents used to apply for jobs, but there are some key differences between them:
CV | Resume |
| The purpose of a CV is to provide a comprehensive overview of a person's professional and academic history. | The purpose of a resume is to provide a concise summary of a person's relevant work experience and skills. |
| A CV is typically longer than a resume and can be several pages in length. | A resume is usually limited to one or two pages. |
| A CV typically includes more detailed information about a person's academic qualifications, research experience, publications, and other relevant achievements. | A resume tends to focus on a person's work experience and skills. |
| CVs tend to be formatted in chronological or reverse-chronological order, with the most recent information appearing first. | Resumes may be organised in a functional or combination format that highlights a person's relevant skills. |
| CVs are typically used for academic or research positions. | Resumes are commonly used for business or industry positions. |
Overall, the key difference between a CV and a resume is that a CV is a more comprehensive document that provides an overview of a person's entire career. In contrast, a resume is a more focused document highlighting a person's most relevant qualifications for a specific job.
The length of a CV can vary depending on many factors, including the person's level of experience, the type of job they are applying for, and the employer's expectations.
As a general guideline, a CV should typically be no longer than two or three pages, though this can vary depending on the individual circumstances.
For example, a person with extensive experience in a particular field or industry may need to provide more detailed information about their qualifications and achievements, which could result in a longer CV.
It's important to remember that employers and hiring managers are often busy and may not have time to read through lengthy documents.
Therefore, it's generally best to focus on including the most relevant and important information in a concise and organised manner.
To help keep a CV concise, it's often a good idea to highlight the most recent and relevant experience and avoid including irrelevant or outdated information.
It's also important to use clear and concise language so readers can quickly find the information they seek.
The information that should be included in a CV can vary depending on the individual's qualifications, experience, and the type of job they are applying for. However, here are some general guidelines on what to include:
Personal Details: Start with your full name, address, phone number, and email address. You can also include your LinkedIn profile, portfolio, or personal website.
Professional Summary: A brief summary that highlights your key qualifications, skills, and experience relevant to the job.
Education: List your education in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent degree or qualification. Include the name of the institution, degree or qualification obtained, graduation date, and relevant coursework or honours.
Work Experience: List your work experience in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent position. Include the job title, company name, employment dates, and a brief description of your responsibilities and achievements.
Skills: List any relevant skills or certifications you have, such as language proficiency, technical skills, or industry-specific certifications.
Publications, Presentations, or Awards: List any publications you have authored or co-authored, presentations you have given, or awards you have received.
References: Include the names and contact information of 2-3 professional references, such as former managers or colleagues, who can speak to your qualifications and work ethic.
It's important to tailor your CV to the specific job you are applying for, highlighting the qualifications and experience most relevant to the position. Additionally, ensure your CV is well-organised, easy to read, and free of errors or typos.
While there is no hard and fast rule about what should not be included in a CV, here are some general guidelines:
Personal Information: Avoid including personal information such as your date of birth, marital status, or religious affiliation, as this information is not relevant to your qualifications for the job.
Irrelevant Work Experience: Only include work experience relevant to the job you are applying for. If you have a lot of work experience, you may want to focus on the most recent or relevant positions.
Hobbies and Interests: While it's okay to briefly mention your hobbies and interests if they are relevant to the job, such as if you are applying for a job in the arts and have a background in music or theatre. Generally, it's best to avoid including them.
Negative Information: Don't include negative information about your previous employers, coworkers, or job experiences. This can come across as unprofessional and may harm your chances of getting the job.
Unrelated Qualifications: If you have qualifications or certifications that are not relevant to the job, you may want to leave them out of your CV.
Salary Information: Don't include your salary expectations or requirements in your CV, as this is something that can be discussed later in the hiring process.
Overall, it's important to include information relevant to the job you are applying for and keep your CV concise, organised, and easy to read.
There are several types of CV formats, each with its unique structure and purpose. Here are some of the most common CV formats:
Chronological CV
This is the most common type of CV format, and it lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position.
This format is best if you have a consistent work history and want to highlight your career progression.
Functional CV
This format focuses on your skills and achievements rather than your work experience. It is organised by skill area, with each section highlighting a different skill or competency.
Combination CV
As the name suggests, this format combines elements of both the chronological and functional CV formats. It includes a brief professional summary at the top, followed by a combination of work experience and skill areas.
Targeted CV
This format is tailored to a specific job or industry and focuses on highlighting your relevant qualifications and experience.
Academic CV
This format is used primarily in academic and research fields and includes more detailed information about your academic qualifications, research experience, publications, and other relevant achievements.
Overall, the best CV format will depend on your individual qualifications, experience, and the type of job you are applying for.
It's important to choose a format that effectively highlights your strengths and accomplishments while also being clear, concise, and easy to read.
How to Write a Good CV?
Here are some tips for writing a good CV:
Tailor Your CV to the Job: Read the job description carefully and customise your CV to highlight the qualifications and experience most relevant to the job.
Use a Clear and Concise Format: Choose a clear and concise format that is easy to read and understand. Use headings, bullet points, and short paragraphs to break up large blocks of text.
Use Active Verbs: Use active verbs to describe your achievements and responsibilities, such as "managed," "created," "developed," and "achieved."
Highlight Your Achievements: Instead of simply listing your job duties, highlight your achievements and the impact you made in previous roles.
Quantify Your Achievements: Whenever possible, quantify your achievements with numbers, such as the number of projects you managed, the amount of revenue you generated, or the percentage of sales growth you achieved.
Include Relevant Keywords: Use keywords from the job description in your CV to show that you have the skills and experience the employer seeks.
Be Honest: Be honest about your qualifications and experience, and avoid exaggerating or lying about your achievements.
Proofread and Edit: Proofread your CV carefully for spelling and grammar errors, and edit it for clarity and concision. Ask a friend or colleague to review it as well.
Update Your CV Regularly: Keep your CV up-to-date with your latest qualifications, experience, and achievements.
Remember, a good CV should be tailored to the job you are applying for, highlight your relevant qualifications and experience, and be well-organised, clear, and concise.
There are several common reasons why a potential employer may reject a CV:
Poor Formatting and Presentation: Your CV will be rejected if it is difficult to read or poorly formatted. Ensure your CV is well-organised, uses clear headings and bullet points, and is free from spelling and grammar errors.
Lack of Relevance: If your CV does not demonstrate how your skills and experience are relevant to the job, it may be rejected. Ensure your CV is tailored to the job description and highlights your most relevant qualifications and experience.
Too Long or Too Short: A CV that is too long or too short may be rejected. Generally, a CV should be one to two pages long and focus on your most relevant experience and achievements.
Lack of Achievements: If your CV simply lists your job duties without highlighting your achievements or the impact you made in previous roles, it may be rejected. Include specific examples of how you added value in previous roles.
Spelling and Grammar Errors: Spelling and grammar errors can be a major red flag to potential employers. Make sure to proofread your CV carefully and ask someone else to review it as well.
Inaccurate Information: If the information in your CV is inaccurate or misleading, it may be rejected. Make sure to be honest about your qualifications, experience, and achievements.
Overall, a good CV should be well-organised, tailored to the job description, and demonstrate your relevant skills and experience clearly and concisely.
Avoid common mistakes such as poor formatting, lack of relevance, and inaccuracies, and proofread your CV carefully to ensure it is error-free.
Shreya Sharma
123 Main Street, Bengaluru, India
Email: shreyasharma@email.com
Phone: +91 1234567890
Objective
To obtain a software development position in ABC Technologies where I can apply my coding, testing, and debugging skills to develop innovative software solutions.
Education
Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science, XYZ University, Bengaluru, India, 2019-2023
- Relevant coursework: Data Structures and Algorithms, Object-Oriented Programming, Software Engineering, Operating Systems, Database Systems
Skills
- Proficient in Java, C++, Python, SQL
- Experience with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP
- Familiarity with software development tools such as Eclipse, IntelliJ, Git, and JIRA
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills
Experience
Software Development Intern, DEF Technologies, Bengaluru, India, Summer 2022
- Assisted in the development of a web-based e-commerce platform using Java, Spring, and MySQL
- Collaborated with team members to design and implement new features and functionality
- Conducted testing and debugging to ensure the quality and reliability of the software
Projects
- Developed a mobile app using Java and Android Studio for a course project, which received an A grade
- Built a web application for tracking COVID-19 cases using Python, Flask, and MongoDB as part of a hackathon project
Certifications
- Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 8 Programmer
- Coursera, Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python)
- edX, Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python
References
Available upon request
Yes, a cover letter is an important complement to a CV. While a CV provides a summary of your qualifications and experience, a cover letter allows you to provide more context about why you are a good fit for the job and what you can bring to the role.
A well-written cover letter can help you stand out from other applicants and demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm for the job.
It can also provide an opportunity to explain any gaps in your employment history or address any concerns the employer may have about your qualifications.
In addition, a cover letter allows you to tailor your application to the specific job and employer. You can highlight specific skills and experience most relevant to the job and explain how you can contribute to the organisation's goals and mission.
Overall, a well-written cover letter can help you make a strong first impression and increase your chances of getting an interview. Including a cover letter with your CV is always a good idea unless the job posting specifically states otherwise.
You need to craft a professional CV for your targeted job in 2023. For that, you must read the job description carefully and spend hours formatting and drafting your CV.
You can dodge this entire process by using HyreSnap Resume Builder. It is an AI-powered resume-building platform that you can use to build technically strong professional resumes within seconds.
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We have listed every point important to craft a professional CV in 2023. Still, you can consider reading the key takeaways mentioned below in case you missed any part of it:
Key Takeaways
Read the job description with a focused mind to know the role and responsibilities
Chose a suitable CV format and outline your CV using essential CV headings
Use active verbs and bullet points to write your resume details
Highlight profile-centric keywords and quantify your achievements
Avoid mentioning inaccurate information and proofread the CV twice
Additionally, our experts are always available to help you frame a successful career at contact@hyresnap.com.
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