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The Power CV
Tips and tools to creating a winning CV that will get you noticed.
Your CV is your gateway to the universe of career opportunities and investing in the right focus, structure, phrasing and syntax at this early stage of the job search process will reap tremendous rewards in opening doors to the next critical stage: the Interview. Below the career experts at the Middle East's #1 job site bayt.com have identified some of the key factors that differentiate a successful CV from those that never make it through the search.
Focused
A good CV shows clarity of vision. The jobseeker knows what it is they are looking for and has clearly highlighted what attributes/ skills/ experience they have that will enable them to succeed in that direction. You will win the interview primarily on the strength of your skills/experience and their direct relevance to the job at hand. Vague/ fuzzy statements in the Title, Objectives or Experience sections will detract from the impact of your CV and raise questions rather than opening doors.
Truthful
Exaggerated claims on CVs are easily detected, if not immediately, then upon reference checks at a later date in the process. To avoid embarrassment, you should be as factual and accurate as possible. Ommit details that don't make you look good at the CV stage (eg. a less than attractive GPA or the fact that you were terminated from a job) but do not present facts that cannot be substantiated. Do highlight your areas of strength in the best possible light (hobbies/ interests/ skills can be embellished); however, do not provide glaring misrepresentations.
Professional
The structure of the CV is critical and a sound CV follows these simple guidelines
- Clearly defined and catchy objective that makes an employer want to read more
- Work experience arranged in chronological order to clearly show career progression with strongest and most recent positions getting the most attention. Job descriptions should be concise and impressive using strong action verbs and data to support claims wherever possible.
- Education and Qualifications should be organized to maximise impact and relevance. Wherever possible, they should show a commitment to career development eg. ongoing courses, seminars, workshops related to job.
- Achievements and affiliations details will highlight professional roles above and beyond direct job responsibilities (eg. Active Member of European Entrepreneur's Association, Chairman of University Student Union etc.) This area is particularly important for fresh graduates who do not have a lot of direct job experience.
Attractive
The most impressive content will barely get gleaned over if the general layout is not user-friendly. Some simple rules:
- Avoid clutter.
- Use short sentences and bullet points wherever appropriate.
- Headings and dates should be clearly differentiated from other text
Simple
Avoid the jargon and flowery anecdotes. Deliver the message in the most concise, impressive and relevant light. A successful CV will be well-researched and will be honed down to contain many of the exact skills and attributes an employer has utilized in his job search description.
Interesting
Keep in mind that an employer is hiring a human being not a robot. Do include skills, hobbies and qualifications that will make your CV stand apart from the crowd and may endear you to the employer. Most employers will sift through countless CVs while trying to weed out Interview candidates so make your CV interesting and memorable.
This article and all other intellectual property on Bayt.com is the property of Bayt.com. Reproduction of this article in any form is only permissible with written permission from Bayt.com.
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Reader Comments
جزاكم الله خير الجزاء وجعله بميزان حسناتكم
Mon 02-Nov-2009 14:17 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Nice tips.......
Sun 18-Jan-2009 14:44 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Excellent article!
Sun 11-Jan-2009 17:55 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thanks thats nice of you
Tue 16-Dec-2008 21:47 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
جزاك الله كل الخير على هذة النصائح
Tue 16-Dec-2008 21:46 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
جزاكم الله خيرا
Wed 03-Dec-2008 17:59 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thanks thats nice
Thu 27-Nov-2008 01:31 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
موقع جبار ..عسى الله يوفقك من وضع هذا الموقع لبحث عن عمل والسعي في هذه الحياة ومشاقها..
Thu 27-Nov-2008 01:15 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
شكرا لحسن تعاونكم معنا
Mon 10-Nov-2008 18:31 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
I was trying to put more tips to assist the Power C.V Creater, but realy what we have above is Successfully completed. Thank you Very much for these best tips. Khaldoun Habahbeh ERC Electrical Engineer Amman Jordan
Mon 27-Oct-2008 11:55 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
good ideas about making cv.thank u
Sun 19-Oct-2008 13:44 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
good ideas about making cv.thank u
Sun 19-Oct-2008 13:44 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
جزاكم الله عنا كل خير ونتمنى ان نجد غايتنا في هذا الموقع
Fri 03-Oct-2008 16:52 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Great suggestion for writing a CV . Can i have a copy of power CV.
Thu 14-Aug-2008 09:12 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
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Thu 31-Jul-2008 08:36 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
اثابكم الله بالطيبات والحسنات واذكركم ونفسي بالحديث الشريف ( الدال على الخير كفاعله )---- اخيكم خالد وجيه عيط
Sat 26-Jul-2008 09:01 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
edwin non Pls...can you also sent a sample of power CV for me?lot of thanks
Tue 22-Jul-2008 08:35 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
I FOUND VERY USEFUL OF POWER CV .IT TOUGHT ME HOW YOU CAN MAKE POWERFUL CV.THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND I APPRECIATE THE WORK OF BYAT.THANK YOU
Sun 20-Jul-2008 04:27 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thank you for all
Sat 19-Jul-2008 18:19 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
it is very helpfull,and i hope for you more successesful
Mon 07-Jul-2008 21:24 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
اتمنى لكل زائر التوفيق والنجاح
Thu 26-Jun-2008 12:28 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
can you pls. send me sample of Power CV so i can improve mine more! Thanks...
Mon 23-Jun-2008 14:45 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thank you very much I think a power CV is a successful key to obtain a good joob.
Mon 16-Jun-2008 16:46 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Very good, please send me a sample power cv. Sanaul Haque
Thu 12-Jun-2008 14:04 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
It is realy Very good guidlines u guy's are providing , i am thankful i need some sample of C.V to improve and update my c.v thanks
Sun 04-May-2008 12:10 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Hi, thanks for the tips, you made my day. These will sure help many alot.
Tue 22-Apr-2008 07:52 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
جزاك الله خيرا واثابك علي فعل الخير وشكرا علي هذه النصائح الغالية
Sun 20-Apr-2008 06:31 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
جازاكم الله عنا الف خير وانشاء الله تدوم العلاقات العربية ويستفيد المواطنين العرب بما تقدموه لنا من خدمة والله موفق الحميع
Wed 16-Apr-2008 18:22 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Excellent, it will help me a lot in my future assignments
Tue 15-Apr-2008 20:51 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
وفق الله الجميع
Tue 08-Apr-2008 20:18 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
ما أعظم الإستفاده من هذا الموقع العملاق . نتمنى لكم دوام التوفيق والسداد التوقيع أحمد شبكه
Sun 06-Apr-2008 20:01 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thanks a lot
Tue 01-Apr-2008 22:33 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
I really appriciate the way you have described about power cv. plz send me any sample CV to remove mistakes. that would be really helpful for me chfaisalsaeed@gmail.com thank you
Mon 03-Mar-2008 16:55 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
يعطيكم ألف عافية على ماتقدمونة من عمل وبارك الله فيكم والى الأمام
Sat 01-Mar-2008 20:18 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
انه موقع المفاجآت السارة نسأل الله ان يكون هدا الموقع مفتاح الخير لكل من يسأل عن شغل
Fri 22-Feb-2008 16:00 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
I value the highlighted tips to convert a conventional cv into most modren and attractive cv. Thanks bayt.com
Thu 14-Feb-2008 17:35 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
we have recieved lot of knowledge & professional way of writing cv from bayt.com c.v writing.
Sun 10-Feb-2008 14:45 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
نشكركم عظيم الشكر لكل الجهد المبارك لهذا الموقع الذي يقوم في خدمة المجتمع العربي والانساني للبحث عن كرامة العيش وفقكم الله وسدد خطاكم ولكم كل التقدير والاحترام"
Sat 09-Feb-2008 15:23 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thanks bayt.com for your advices and power CV,s.
Mon 04-Feb-2008 10:40 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Thank you for such wonderful reminder of writing a POWER CV.....johndel
Sat 02-Feb-2008 11:12 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
نشكركم عظيم الشكر لكل الجهد المبارك لهذا الموقع الذي يقوم في خدمة المجتمع العربي والانساني للبحث عن كرامة العيش وفقكم الله وسدد خطاكم ولكم كل التقدير والاحترام
Sun 13-Jan-2008 04:46 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
جزاك الله كل الخير على هذة النصائح الغالية وجعلها فى ميزان حسناتك وارجو التكرم بارسالى نسخة قوية كمثالا للسيفى الناجح وجزاكم الله كل الخير
Sun 23-Dec-2007 23:17 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
Helpful advice for building CV
Fri 14-Dec-2007 14:39 PM - Report Inappropriate Comment
thanks thats nice of you
Wed 17-Oct-2007 01:46 AM - Report Inappropriate Comment
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