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Stuart Gentle Publisher at Onrec

Best tips for writing a compelling CV for graduates

There is a common question everyone faces on the completion of their degree - what next? The replies, of course, vary.

While some people already have a perfect idea of what they are doing in the future, others still struggle to find a definite answer due to myriads of reasons. In the long run, everyone would end up going for one job or the other, thus establishing a starting point in their careers.

In the process of applying for jobs, employees always have to present a set of vital documents which allow them to access compatibility with the job they are applying for. Of all these documents, the resume and cover letters hold a large amount of influence. It should be noted that having both is good, but not extremely necessary. This is due to the fact that some organizations only require a CV, while some settle for a cover letter. There have been instances where both were requested, hence graduates are advised to have both on hand.

Resume, Curriculum vitae, and Cover letter: where’s the difference line?

While in some countries, both documents are accepted to be almost the same, there are places where an example of a good cv is different from an example demonstrating a good cover letter. A resume is generally described as a two-page description of a person’s education, work experience and a short summary describing the person’s personality and area of interests. The length of details is the only factor that distinguishes the former from a cv, which is, in simpler words, a longer version of the resume. A CV would include a person’s skills and hobbies in addition to the other sections outlined on a resume. A cover letter is a one-page document addressed to a specific entity, describing people and why they think they should get the job – an application letter.

These documents can differ in many aspects. A student resume may not get the kind of attention that a graduate’s resume will, and on the contrary. The point? A good CV would always attract the more lucrative offers. It’s not whose document it is, it’s how the owner is able to sell their image out there.

When checking for the best tips on how to write a good resume, there are certain things people would have to keep in mind. Composing a written file worthy of fetching you an interview takes more effort than an ordinary essay which can get sorted faster by you using the phrase ‘do my essay for me. Your CV is a reflection of everything you claim you are. It’s, therefore, more beneficial for you the more efficiently it is prepared, by an executive resume writer if the need arises.

Asides that, if you decide to do it by yourself, remember the following tips:

Research is significant

Before you begin working on any of the documents we spoke of, it’s essential you take time and research your target role. Knowing what employers expect of you can go a long way in helping you shape the CV or cover letter accordingly. It would also streamline your efforts i.e. if your field accepts resume you won’t waste time creating cover letters.

Show what you are capable of

When filling out the section relating to your skills, there are some resume power words that you can use to show the true level of your abilities. Using power words is not the same as sugar coating. These words are meant specifically to project the confidence of the applicant.  They should be used accordingly and appropriately.

The power of summaries

A summary is often the brief description of your personality, found in resumes and cover letters. A good summary should reflect the briefest description possible about your personality and experience. Every other section in the document can serve to amplify what is already written in the summary. If you happen to experience issues with creating a summary that reflects you, you can turn for help. You could contact writing experts, or search the internet on how to write a professional summary.

Creating a presentable CV

A messy cover letter or CV can be confusing to navigate through. It is therefore important that you make your document easy to navigate by sectioning the information you need to provide. Once your document is easy to navigate, the details will become even more attractive.

Author’s bio

Jeff Blaylock has had the opportunity to work with expert document writers. He works as a part-time content and CV editor and writes about vet medicine in his spare time.