Creating a winning CV

When you are job hunting, standing out in a sea of identical-looking CVs

requires a bit of effort.

You might have a great deal of relevant experience, but if your CV is not

eye-catching, you run the risk of being overlooked. 

The following guidelines are designed to help you craft an effective CV

and include valuable insights from hiring managers, recruiters and HR professionals.

Items to consider when creating a CV:

Infographic CV: Out of approximately 240 applications, only 15 candidates are selected for a first interview,

that’s around 6 percent. An infographic CV can help increase your chance of being a part of that 6 percent!

Culture fit: Your future employer wants to know if you will be a culture fit and a team player. This depends largely on

your soft skills so be sure to include them.

Make sure your CV is mobile-friendly: While it’s worth pointing out that most head-hunters out there are

tapping away on LinkedIn via their laptops, you should consider that your CV and cover letter might be opened

on a smartphone. Therefore, ensure that your CV

displays correctly on a mobile device.

Consider your target industry when choosing colour schemes: Colour schemes are a great way to create

a certain kind of mood in your CV which could attract the attention of the right HR manager.

Use your CV to tell a story: To really capture the attention of the hiring manager, you’ll benefit

from telling a story in your CV.

Give a (design) nod to your line of work: Consider your CV as an extension of yourself and the work that you do.

So, use design elements that signify your profession.

Use your CV as a personal branding document: The idea is to create an online identity that helps you put your best foot

forward when it comes to landing professional opportunities.

Use a design that is trending: In order to stay ahead of the pack, you should consider designing your CV in a way

that is spot on with current graphic design trends.

Choose the right font for your CV: The right font can help you stand out and make your CV more engaging.

Visually emphasise your contact information section: To increase the probability of your CV getting picked,

place visual emphasis on your contact information section.

Make your CV as easy to read as possible: Make your CV easy to skim through so that readers are able to quickly

glean information.

Adhering to the above points will ensure that you have a CV that portrays you in the best possible light.

For all your recruitment needs, contact the Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal Recruitment Agency: recruitment@masterbuilders.co.za OR 031 831 3201

Anisha Naidoo

HR Manager

Reference

Leung, I. (2023) 15 Winning Resume Design Tips Plus Customizable Templates. https://piktochart.com/blog/tips-designing-winning-resume/#:~:text=Tip%20%231%3A%20Make%20your%20job%20skills%20as%20modern,Use%20your%20resume%20as%20a%20personal%20branding%20document.