Your CV is your first impression in the eyes of a recruiter or hiring lead. Did you know they often form an opinion within 3-4 seconds of scanning it?
It’s true!
That’s why it’s imperative to create a CV that’s clean, crisp, and straight to the point from top to bottom.
Tali, Talent Acquisition Business Partner, and Charmaine, Employer Branding Lead, from Rheinmetall join us to share their valuable insights and advice on creating an impressive CV tailored to your unique circumstances. Even if you’re just starting your journey.
Writing Your Resume – What to Do
When getting started, there are some essential DOs that will help you make sure your resume makes the right impression.
Tali offers the following guidance to help:
- Starting with the Basics: Begin your CV with your personal details prominently displayed at the top. Include your name, contact phone number, email address, and any relevant associations you’re a part of. Additionally, consider adding your LinkedIn profile handle, as it can help showcase your professional online presence.
- Education: After your personal details, list your qualifications, including your school, academic achievements, and any other certifications or qualifications pertinent to the positions you’re applying for.
- Career History or Part-Time Work: If you have any part-time work experience while studying, include it in this section. Highlight the skills and responsibilities you’ve gained from these experiences.
- Systems Experience: If you possess proficiency in specific software or systems relevant to your desired career path, remember to mention them. This demonstrates your technical prowess.
- Hobbies/Interests: Sharing your hobbies and interests can provide a glimpse into your personality. It’s a great way to showcase your well-roundedness and connect with potential employers personally.
- References: Keep the references section at the bottom, and only include the name, role title, and contact details of your references. It’s important to ensure that your references are willing to vouch for your qualifications.
It’s also essential that you:
- Follow a Chronological Order: When listing your career history, present it chronologically, starting with your most recent position and working your way backward.
- Use Appropriate Formatting: Use a clean and readable font. Avoid adding unnecessary embellishments or special characters. It’s best to keep your CV professional and easy to read.
- Detail Your Achievements: Don’t forget to showcase your achievements in each role. Highlight what you accomplished and any challenges you overcame. This gives your CV added depth.
Writing Your Resume – What Not to Do
Just as there are key things to do, there are also key things NOT to do, advises Tali.
When crafting your resume, make sure you don’t:
- Add Photos: Avoid adding personal photos to your CV. Recruiters typically do not require or want to see your image on your resume.
- Use Emojis or Special Characters: Keep your CV free from emojis or special characters. Maintain a professional and straightforward format.
- Add Lengthy Written References: While references are important, there’s no need to include lengthy written references on your CV. Simply provide the contact information for your references, as we mentioned earlier.
Skills to Add to Your CV with No Work History
If you have little to no formal work history, emphasise your strengths and key attributes. Highlight the skills you’ve acquired through your studies and extracurricular activities.
Here are some tips from Tali and Charmaine:
- Teamwork: Emphasise your ability to work effectively in a team, providing examples from group projects or collaborative activities.
- Communication Skills: Highlight your effective communication skills, which are vital in almost any job. Showcase your ability to convey ideas and work well with others.
- Problem Solving: Explain how you excel in problem-solving situations. Mention instances where you’ve found creative solutions to challenges.
- Academic Excellence: If you have specific subjects or areas of study where you excel, include them in your CV. This can demonstrate your expertise and dedication to learning.
- Leadership Roles: Mention any leadership roles you’ve held in school clubs, sports teams, or volunteer organisations. Describe your responsibilities and any notable accomplishments or projects you’ve participated in.
Remember, while you want to stand out, honesty is crucial. Be prepared to discuss your experiences and skills during an interview.
Your CV is your ticket to that crucial next step in your career journey, so craft it thoughtfully and confidently.
Discover Your Path With Rheinmetall
Rheinmetall Defence Australia has fantastic opportunities for all skill sets, trades, professions and people at all career stages.
Rheinmetall gives you various opportunities to gather wide-ranging experience in key markets. Discover the career opportunities that await you in their teams around the world.
Head to their dedicated Explore Careers employer profile to learn more.
