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Abstract

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            <h2>How to write a kick-ass CV when you've got zero work experience</h2>
            <div><h3>Before we begin, we're just going to clear something up real quick. We're not saying work experience isn't important. A…</h3></div>
            <div><p>debut.careers</p></div>
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            <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*YPD3TEDM3DuZ4b2Q)"></div>
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    </div><h2 id="34db">Get fundamentals right</h2><ul><li>In your education section, highlight your academic achievements (the best of your learning, campus activities, track record, GPA, sample modules, or other evidence for impressive success). Make sure you include the degree level, the institution, the subject, and the start/finish dates.</li><li>Make sure you include your contact details — make it easy for them to contact you by providing your email and phone number at the end. Your email should be a professional email address (Gmail is also OK if it is comprised of your name and surname).</li><li>Try to have 2–3 references ready. Get consent from your reference providers. References can be your academic lecturers or advisor, previous managers, work colleagues, or clients. They should know you closely and provide a strong and detailed reference.</li></ul><h2 id="b68a">Keep it short and sweet</h2><ul><li>Keep your CV short and focused — no longer than 2 pages. Use bullet points and keep your sentences short. Leave a lot of white space around the text. Do not make it over-crowded — use spaces as needed. Make sure it is very clear and easy to read/digest. Save it as a pdf. Use a common font such as Times New Roman. Do not include a photo.</li></ul><h2 id="118e">Edit and proofread</h2><ul><li>Edit and proofread your CV to make sure there are no errors or typos. Make sure you show it to your advisor/mentor/critical friend before you submit.</li><li>If you have any interesting hobbies, mention them specifically and separately. Avoid generic items such as reading books (what type of books?). Try to prioritize hobbies relevant to the job.</li></ul><h2 id="ada2">Look at sample CVs</h2><ul><li>Look at Good and Bad CVs to get a better idea of typical CV mistakes and how to avoid them:</li></ul><div id="642d" class="link-block">
      <a href="https://www.cvplaza.com/cv-examples/good-bad-cv/">
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          <div>
            <h2>CV Examples | Example of a good CV (+ biggest mistakes to avoid!)</h2>
            <div><h3>Let's face it, some CVs are great, some are good, and others are outright dreadful. If you're looking for an example of…</h3></div>
            <div><p>www.cvplaza.com</p></div>
          </div>
          <div>
            <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*5KSDWfVOttYbgb3s)"></div>
          </div>
        </div>
      </a>
    </div><h2 id="0850">Update your CV</h2><ul><li>Do not leave any gaps. If you have been out of work, mention the projects you have

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done during this period (such as online courses, volunteering, skills developed, other experiences etc.)</li><li>Keep your CV updated and current. Every time you have something significant, make sure you add it and update your CV.</li></ul><h1 id="def7">CV Checklist</h1><p id="7dac">To make sure you are on the right track, use the following CV checklist below:</p><ul><li>Is your CV clear, concise, and well written — no longer than 2 pages?</li><li>Is your CV clear of any errors in spelling or grammar?</li><li>Is the layout well-spaced? Is everything neatly aligned?</li><li>Is your CV clear, easy to read, appealing to the eye?</li><li>Is your CV up-to-date and comprehensive?</li><li>Is your CV free of jargon or clichés (i.e. avoid: team player)</li><li>Does your CV include name, address, telephone number, and email address?</li><li>Is there a personal profile or a specific career objective at the start of the CV?</li><li>Is your CV tailored enough to a specific job or position?</li><li>Does your CV include the key skills and experiences required for the role?</li><li>Does your CV include particular experiences and qualifications that are listed in the job advertisement?</li><li>Have you listed brief details of academic and/or professional qualifications?</li><li>Is work experience in reverse chronological order (i.e. most recent job first)?</li><li>Did you highlight your work experience and key achievements in bullet points?</li><li>When listing specific achievements and experience, are there ‘numbers’? “Sales have been increased by 25% in three months”</li><li>Are there specific skills (IT/languages), with the level of experience (e.g. basic, advanced)?</li><li>Have you listed volunteering/part-time/internships/extracurricular activities in detail?</li><li>Have you listed your professional skills clearly with specific evidence, project experience, or examples?</li><li>Is there a paragraph about your personal interests and hobbies to give the CV more of a personal feel? Do these hobbies go beyond generic interests? (avoid clichés: ‘reading books and traveling’)</li><li>Is the CV free of any inconsistencies, exaggerations, or unsubstantiated claims?</li></ul><p id="32df">Overall evaluation:</p><ul><li>Does the CV show the company that the candidate is the best person for the job?</li><li>Does it clearly highlight the experiences and skills that match the job advert?</li></ul><h2 id="26bc">Takeaways:</h2><ul><li>Your CV reflects your personal brand.</li><li>Seek feedback from masters.</li><li>Edit and proofread until it is perfect.</li><li>Make it outstanding and customized for the job.</li><li>Make sure you match and surpass each job requirement with the relevant evidence of skills, experiences, and knowledge.</li><li>Differentiate yourself among hundreds of other CVs.</li><li>Why should they invite you for an interview?</li><li>Where are your contribution and unique value proposition?</li></ul><p id="067e">I wish you best of luck in your job search.</p><p id="c411">Sincerely;</p><p id="615d">Fahri</p><h2 id="5d4a">Fahri Karakas is the author of Self-making Studio. You can explore more here.</h2></article></body>

Employability Skills for Young People

How to make your CV outstanding

Pay attention to these fundamentals to be invited for an interview

Here is my advice on how to make your CV outstanding:

Create Hooks

Start with a personal statement or brief summary (who you are). Summarize your career objective here (who you want to be). What kind of job are you seeking? What makes you unique or outstanding? What can you bring to the employer? Create interesting hooks so that recruiters will recognize your unique strengths. Make sure you tailor this section so that it fits the role you are applying for (build bridges between job description/ skills/qualifications and your unique strengths).
Remember: Each recruiter is scanning your CV for about 10–15 seconds. You have to make your CV absolutely outstanding. How can you differentiate yourself from hundreds of other candidates? Why should they hire you? This is your one chance to create a very good first impression. Use it wisely.

Customize

Tailor your CV for each job you are applying for. Be very specific about how you can contribute to this job and why they should invite you for an interview. Research the company and use the job ad to work out what you point out to them. Highlight your relevant skills, experiences, and knowledge.
Create a master CV so you can customize and change each time you are applying for a specific job. Make sure you do customize your CV for the job/ad each time.

Provide evidence

Avoid cliches or unsubstantiated claims. Do not just list desirable qualities. Provide credible evidence and examples for each of your claims. Remember: Employers look for mistakes — do not give them any excuse to dismiss your application because of a mistake or typo on your CV.

Match with the job advert

In your professional experience section, highlight your job experiences and competencies that will reaffirm you as the right person for the job. Make sure you add the company, job title, dates, and responsibilities. Analyze the person specification, and respond to each point with relevant evidence and examples. Draw on different experiences to highlight any direct/transferable skills you have. Provide specific numbers or results wherever possible. Explain how you have enhanced your skills using situations and examples from your professional life.
Always tell the truth. If you do not yet have adequate professional experiences, please refer to this guide to increase your chances:

How to write a kick-ass CV when you've got zero work experience

Before we begin, we're just going to clear something up real quick. We're not saying work experience isn't important. A…

debut.careers

Get fundamentals right

In your education section, highlight your academic achievements (the best of your learning, campus activities, track record, GPA, sample modules, or other evidence for impressive success). Make sure you include the degree level, the institution, the subject, and the start/finish dates.
Make sure you include your contact details — make it easy for them to contact you by providing your email and phone number at the end. Your email should be a professional email address (Gmail is also OK if it is comprised of your name and surname).
Try to have 2–3 references ready. Get consent from your reference providers. References can be your academic lecturers or advisor, previous managers, work colleagues, or clients. They should know you closely and provide a strong and detailed reference.

Keep it short and sweet

Keep your CV short and focused — no longer than 2 pages. Use bullet points and keep your sentences short. Leave a lot of white space around the text. Do not make it over-crowded — use spaces as needed. Make sure it is very clear and easy to read/digest. Save it as a pdf. Use a common font such as Times New Roman. Do not include a photo.

Edit and proofread

Edit and proofread your CV to make sure there are no errors or typos. Make sure you show it to your advisor/mentor/critical friend before you submit.
If you have any interesting hobbies, mention them specifically and separately. Avoid generic items such as reading books (what type of books?). Try to prioritize hobbies relevant to the job.

Look at sample CVs

Look at Good and Bad CVs to get a better idea of typical CV mistakes and how to avoid them:

CV Examples | Example of a good CV (+ biggest mistakes to avoid!)

Let's face it, some CVs are great, some are good, and others are outright dreadful. If you're looking for an example of…

www.cvplaza.com

Update your CV

Do not leave any gaps. If you have been out of work, mention the projects you have done during this period (such as online courses, volunteering, skills developed, other experiences etc.)
Keep your CV updated and current. Every time you have something significant, make sure you add it and update your CV.

CV Checklist

To make sure you are on the right track, use the following CV checklist below:

Is your CV clear, concise, and well written — no longer than 2 pages?
Is your CV clear of any errors in spelling or grammar?
Is the layout well-spaced? Is everything neatly aligned?
Is your CV clear, easy to read, appealing to the eye?
Is your CV up-to-date and comprehensive?
Is your CV free of jargon or clichés (i.e. avoid: team player)
Does your CV include name, address, telephone number, and email address?
Is there a personal profile or a specific career objective at the start of the CV?
Is your CV tailored enough to a specific job or position?
Does your CV include the key skills and experiences required for the role?
Does your CV include particular experiences and qualifications that are listed in the job advertisement?
Have you listed brief details of academic and/or professional qualifications?
Is work experience in reverse chronological order (i.e. most recent job first)?
Did you highlight your work experience and key achievements in bullet points?
When listing specific achievements and experience, are there ‘numbers’? “Sales have been increased by 25% in three months”
Are there specific skills (IT/languages), with the level of experience (e.g. basic, advanced)?
Have you listed volunteering/part-time/internships/extracurricular activities in detail?
Have you listed your professional skills clearly with specific evidence, project experience, or examples?
Is there a paragraph about your personal interests and hobbies to give the CV more of a personal feel? Do these hobbies go beyond generic interests? (avoid clichés: ‘reading books and traveling’)
Is the CV free of any inconsistencies, exaggerations, or unsubstantiated claims?

Overall evaluation:

Does the CV show the company that the candidate is the best person for the job?
Does it clearly highlight the experiences and skills that match the job advert?

Takeaways:

Your CV reflects your personal brand.
Seek feedback from masters.
Edit and proofread until it is perfect.
Make it outstanding and customized for the job.
Make sure you match and surpass each job requirement with the relevant evidence of skills, experiences, and knowledge.
Differentiate yourself among hundreds of other CVs.
Why should they invite you for an interview?
Where are your contribution and unique value proposition?

I wish you best of luck in your job search.

Sincerely;

Fahri