If you've been submitting your CV without call backs, chances are certain things are not right with that CV. And you may need to pause and fix it right away.

Before submitting that same old CV to any new job opportunity take the following tips to supercharge it and your inbox will soon be buzzing with interview invites.

1.Do not use a pre-built CV template or copy/paste a sample from the internet.

Instead, use a plain, simple, and attractive layout and format that is easy to read and understand.

2. Use the font size 10-12 pt in Ariel, Verdana, Times New Roman, Helvetica, Calibri etc. for easier reading.

3. Write your name in bold font. The text size of your name should be slightly larger than the other text of the CV.

4. Your contact details (mailing address, phone number, LinkedIn ID, and e-mail) should be written in a relatively small size.

5. Mention your two-word name for more natural name recognition. That is to say, eliminate the middle or initial name.
For example, write Kelechi Usman instead of Kelechi Chukwumereje Johnson Usman.

6. Write only one personal mobile number and email address, as well as LinkedIn profile ID (If any). Avoid using the email address or telephone number provided by your current employer.

7. Write short bullet statements under different headings such as objective/summary, experience, achievements, skills, and education.

Bullet phrases should start with action words such as achieved, demonstrated, guided, governed, and planned.

Avoid using long paragraphs in your CV.

8. Objective Vs. Summary/Profile Statement: Objectives for internships emphasize that you desire to improve your skills.

Alternately, objectives for entry-level candidates must state the skills you would bring to the company. On the other hand, you can write a summary or profile statement if you have hands-on experience in a similar capacity.

9. Include Qualifications or Professional Skills after your objective or summary statement. This section contains bullet keywords highlighting your relevant skills and traits.

10. The length of your CV should not exceed two pages.

11. List everything (employment, certifications, education, internships, activities) in reverse chronological order. That is to say; the last job should be mentioned first.

12. Write section titles in the capital letter (upper case) using a bold font — for example, SUMMARY, EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, SKILLS.

13. Give the accurate title of your degree in the education section of the CV.

14. In the employment or experience section, list your achievements instead of merely writing job descriptions. If you have a few accomplishments in your name, you may write a job description but create a sub-section of the achievements under each experience.

15. Use the present tense of verbs to explain duties in your current employment.

16. Use the past tense when describing responsibilities from a past job.

17. Never use the words “I”, or “me” in your CV.

18. List additional languages in which you are fluent. If you have traveled to or lived in different countries, include that information also.

19. If you are a fresh graduate, list your GPA only if it is 3.0 or above.

20. List your professional affiliations, memberships, and awards at the bottom of the page.

21. Use keywords related to your profession or industry you are applying to. The skills or core competencies section is the best for this purpose.

22. Mention your computer skills such as MS Word, Excel, systems, languages, programs, and databases.

23. If you are an entry-level applicant with no experience in hand or changing your career path, a functional or skill – based CV will be more effective.

24. Never write your personal and confidential information in your CV. That includes your date of birth, marital status, or national identity number.

25. Eliminate the hobbies and interests section as well as personal information, except they would be appropriate for the job.

26. Do not include references in the CV. If required, you may attach an additional sheet for references.

27. Do not rely only on an automatic spell check of MS Word or other software. It sometimes does not detect typing errors and mistakes in capital letters.

Therefore, check the content of your CV manually and have it proofread by your family member or acquaintance.

28. If you are applying through email, attach your CV as a PDF document instead of doc or docx to preserve formatting.



What other tips have you used to craft a winning CV? You can share in the comment section.