{"id":10635,"date":"2020-07-01T10:43:00","date_gmt":"2020-07-01T08:43:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/?p=10635"},"modified":"2021-11-03T11:44:06","modified_gmt":"2021-11-03T09:44:06","slug":"characteristics-great-cv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/characteristics-great-cv","title":{"rendered":"Characteristics of a Great CV to Help You Stand Out"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do you think your CV can stand out from a pile and catch the attention of a hiring manager? If the answer to that question is a no or a maybe there\u2019s quite the work to be done. Your CV should represent you fully to a hiring manager and give you an opportunity to meet the interviewer. Here are 10 characteristics of a great CV you should check your CV against;<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69d0c7e45e898\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69d0c7e45e898\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/characteristics-great-cv\/#It_Grabs_the_Readers_Attention\" >It Grabs the Reader\u2019s Attention<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/characteristics-great-cv\/#It_tells_the_Reader_the_Kind_of_Job_You_are_Looking_For\" >It tells the Reader the Kind of Job You are Looking For<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/characteristics-great-cv\/#It_Establishes_your_Credibility\" >It Establishes your Credibility<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/characteristics-great-cv\/#It_Paints_Your_Career_Journey\" >It Paints Your Career Journey<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/characteristics-great-cv\/#It_Portrays_your_Awesome_Written_Skills\" >It Portrays your Awesome Written Skills<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/characteristics-great-cv\/#It_Shows_Understanding_of_your_Talents_and_Skills\" >It Shows Understanding of your Talents and Skills<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/characteristics-great-cv\/#It_is_the_Best_Personal_Branding_Tool\" >It is the Best Personal Branding Tool<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/characteristics-great-cv\/#It_Tells_Powerful_Mini_Stories_About_You\" >It Tells Powerful Mini Stories About You<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/characteristics-great-cv\/#It_is_Customized_for_the_Job\" >It is Customized for the Job<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/characteristics-great-cv\/#It_Shows_you_as_a_Culture_Fit_and_not_Just_Qualifications_and_Skills\" >It Shows you as a Culture Fit and not Just Qualifications and Skills<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/characteristics-great-cv\/#Make_Your_CV_Great\" >Make Your CV Great<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"It_Grabs_the_Readers_Attention\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It Grabs the Reader\u2019s Attention<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>This is the most important aspect in a CV. Your CV should stand out from pile and intrigue the reader enough to want to read it. On average, a recruiter or HR practitioner takes about<a class=\"article-body-links\"href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/cv-writing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> 7 seconds to decide<\/a> whether or not your CV is worth their time. A great CV captures the attention of it&#8217;s reader right away.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"It_tells_the_Reader_the_Kind_of_Job_You_are_Looking_For\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It tells the Reader the Kind of Job You are Looking For<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Your CV should immediately state the job and industry you are interested in. This information can be entered in the career summary section at the top of your CV.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"It_Establishes_your_Credibility\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It Establishes your Credibility<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A great CV is a great ambassador. It shows why you are the best fit for the role you are applying for. It should point out the skills, experience and qualifications you have that make you right for the job.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"It_Paints_Your_Career_Journey\"><\/span>It Paints Your Career Journey<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A great CV chronologically paints your career journey in a way that the reader can see how you have grown in your chosen career path over the years and how the jobs you have done have contributed to who you are.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"It_Portrays_your_Awesome_Written_Skills\"><\/span>It Portrays your Awesome Written Skills<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>You are writing a CV to be read by humans. Aside from customizing and optimizing it to pass through HR systems, it should be appealing to read and flow smoothly. This is an opportunity to present your excellent written skills as well.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"It_Shows_Understanding_of_your_Talents_and_Skills\"><\/span>It Shows Understanding of your Talents and Skills<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Self awareness is key. If you can understand your strengths and how they apply to a certain role, it takes you closer to that interview door. A great CV showcases your understanding of what makes you stand out and fit for the role you are applying for.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"It_is_the_Best_Personal_Branding_Tool\"><\/span>It is the Best Personal Branding Tool<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A great CV is your personal branding summary and your career summary at the top is your branding pitch. If you have the generic &#8221; I am seeking to work in ABC industry and make a difference&#8221; story change it today and put up a personal pitch instead. Something that quickly summaries your experience, skills and qualifications in under a minute. This is the same pitch you should use in professional gatherings when asked what you do. <a class=\"article-body-links\"href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/personal-branding-statement\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Get more ideas on how to craft that personal branding statement here.&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"It_Tells_Powerful_Mini_Stories_About_You\"><\/span>It Tells Powerful Mini Stories About You<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A great CV will portray each encounter in your career journey as an adventure of facing challenges and conquering. Every role that you have and all the achievements you gain in your different companies painted in a way that shows why you are the best fit.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"It_is_Customized_for_the_Job\"><\/span>It is Customized for the Job<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>All jobs are different. Every employer who posts a job ad is looking for specific qualities in candidates that are ideal for that role. A great CV will take this into consideration and ensure it presents to the recruiter what they are looking for.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"It_Shows_you_as_a_Culture_Fit_and_not_Just_Qualifications_and_Skills\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It Shows you as a Culture Fit and not Just Qualifications and Skills<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A great CV presents you as a rounded and whole person, not just a bunch of qualifications skills. Companies look for both hard and soft skills in candidates. A great CV will showcase your soft skills alongside your hard skills.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Make_Your_CV_Great\"><\/span>Make Your CV Great<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Professional CV Writers understand all the characteristics of a good CV and how to achieve them. They also understand the job market and can help you present those achievements that you are so modest about. <a class=\"article-body-links\"href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/job-seeker\/cv-review\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Entrust your CV with a Professional writer<\/a> at BrighterMonday today and see just how great it becomes.<\/p>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Do you think your CV can stand out from a pile? If the answer to that question is a no or maybe, read on to discover the characteristics of a great CV.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":114,"featured_media":9651,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[213],"tags":[],"content_author":[],"class_list":["post-10635","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-job-search-advice"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10635","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/114"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10635"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10635\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9651"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10635"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10635"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10635"},{"taxonomy":"content_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content_author?post=10635"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}