CV Tips 101
Looking for a new job aren`t we? Then it`s time to roll up your sleeves and start working on that perfect C.V!
Let`s start with the basics, your personal information!
These should include your Name, Surname, mobile number and an e-mail address. Your residential address, DOB, gender & picture are not mandatory. However, including a picture will help the employer remember you better so if you do include a picture, make sure that it is a presentable and smart photo (don`t forget that an employer needs to take yourself seriously). Still haven`t changed that email address that you created when you were around 12 years old? Then it`s time to change it into a more formal one; usually ‘name.surname.dob@email.com’ does the trick.
Work Experience and/or qualifications?
Just starting off your career and no working experience? Then you should skip right to qualifications, even if it`s an O`Level or Secondary Education, but do put in the necessary information which would be considered as an asset for the role you are applying for.
Your work experience should include any duties that may be considered similar to the role that you are applying for, and major achievements that were conducted while with that specific employer.
If you are thinking about doing any type of course in the near future, do enlist that onto your CV as some employers do consider these applications with some extra attention.
Be Direct!
Always make sure to be direct in your wording and explanation, no long paragraphs (short and sweet should do the trick). No extra fancy CV, one with a simple layout, font and it only should be 1-2 pages long. It`s good to know that the majority of employers only take 10-15 seconds to review a CV, so make it stand out in a way you think others can`t.
Remember… it`s QUALITY vs QUANTITY
Covering Letter
Consider this as your ice breaker to an employer, hence do not repeat what is already on your CV. Make sure that your application stands out, as this is your chance to make that good impression! So talk about why the organisation should pick you and what would you be able to bring to their table if you succeed.
The tiny bits & pieces.
Think about your skills, the ones that have been developed throughout your course/career. It`s good to mention how and why these type of skills have been developed, and how you can apply these throughout your next job. If you have a driving license, list that down in your application as some employers do consider this as an ice breaker for them (we all know the buses vs traffic situation in Malta!)
In Conclusion
Make sure that you hit every important piece in your CV, and hey… Refrain from all those tiny white lies; you never know who is behind the other screen and whether s/he can verify your CV within a matter of seconds. After all, Malta is only 316 km2 with 450,000 people residing in it!
Good luck for your career change! Make sure to check our website for any vacancies that may suit what you are looking for.