INSIGHT

CPL INSIGHT

Guide to effective Resumes and CVs  by Taiwo Judah

Resume/CV* Tips:

Whether you are a fresh graduate and the only experience you have are internships and summer jobs or you are an experienced person with an outdated or ineffective resume, the tips below should assist you create the Resume/CVs that you need to build a unique and attractive profile.

How to start: 

• Start with a blank sheet 

• List and group all your accomplishments - education, career, work etc 

• Add your basic bio data

• Reword your description to include factual data and figures 

• Be quantitative as much as possible rather than qualitative

General:

• Be brief and direct; avoid verbosity

• Articulate tangible results and value created by you e.g. savings/revenue in monetary terms, ratios etc

• Avoid frilly resume except for special or artistic jobs 

• Spell check and eliminate grammatical errors 

• Avoid clichés and jargon, use formal English

• Blow your trumpet in a modest manner

• Be consistent and modest in your font style, size and colour 

Specific: 

• Focus on relevant experience 

• Understand the needs of the company and address them in your Resume 

• Use the requirements of the company or position description as a guide for the contents of your Resume 

• Include multiple contact channels - email, post office box, telephone, fax etc

• Include only the contact channels that you frequently use 

• Avoid using your current office address

* Resumes are usually about a page long. Curriculum Vitaes or CVs are usually longer.