How to Write a Modern CV - and Why it's Important

You don’t need us to tell you how important your resume is. It sums up your qualifications for a recruiter or hiring manager, and it is the document they use to decide whether or not you might be a good fit for the position.

So, you want it to be the best it can be, and you don’t want it to look complicated, outdated, or hard to read. With all that in mind, what should a resume look like in 2021?

Here are ways to create a resume that will stand out from the crowd and land you that interview.

1. Keep It Simple

Unless you’re applying for a design role, a clean, simple layout is best.

• Use clear section headings and make them stand out with bold type and capital letters.

• Make sure there is plenty of white space as a packed resume is hard to read.

• Skip the fancy graphics, pie charts, and illustrations, which don’t play well with resume-scanning software.

2. Use a Summary Statement Instead of an Objective

A CV objective (“Seeking a senior-level product management role in the fintech space”) tells the recruiter what you want. A summary statement explains what value you can bring to the company.

3. Spotlight Key Skills

Whether you put your skills section at the top of your resume or the bottom, after your work experience, make sure the skills you list match the requirements for the job you’re applying for. Read the job description carefully to see which skills, programs, and keywords are mentioned.

4. Put Your Latest Experience First

Recruiters and hiring managers still prefer the traditional reverse-chronological format, where you list your current or most recent job first.

5. Break It Down

For each job, list your responsibilities and accomplishments in easy-to-skim bullets, not in paragraphs, which look denser and harder to read.

6. Consider Adding Volunteering or Other Experience

Listing volunteer work can add personality to your resume and help you seem more three-dimensional. These experiences can also help you highlight transferable skills you have gained outside of the workplace.

Use these tips to get your resume ready for the new decade and get yourself that much closer to the perfect job. Here at Client Centric, we can help create this CV for you. You can find us at www.clientcentric.com.au.