How many of us have missed a step every time someone asked us for a CV, then did research on what a good one might actually be only to find out a resume and a CV are two different things and Google seems to have forgotten that? CV is exactly that mundane thing we had all been forced to study for our English exam except in real it’s more classy and less intended for marks. In other words, a CV or Curriculum Vitae is an exhaustive listing of all significant achievements and histories of your career.

Now the question is if it’s “Career” why are we little kids being bothered with having one? Let’s explore that, shall we?

So, creating a CV as a student isn’t about having a career; it’s about documenting our journey so far. It’s where we list everything—education, achievements, extracurriculars, skills, and more. It’s a whole head start on our part.

• Readiness for Opportunities: Internships, scholarships, or even a cool competition? Now-a-days a lot of them require a CV. Having a CV ready saves time and stress of last-minute scrambling for information on you.

• Tracking Growth: Our CV grows with us. It’s a personal record of how far we’ve come and where we’re heading. If you ever decide it’s time for career counseling that’s your magic book to take.

• Building Professionalism: Creating a CV early teaches us how to present ourselves professionally, a skill that will benefit us in the future. It familiarizes us with the structure and content of professional documents, preparing us for the later stages of our careers.

So, ready to get your classiest CV?

1. Choose the Best CV Format:

– Select a format that highlights your strengths. Common formats include chronological, functional, and combination CVs. For instance, Novoresume, Kickresume, etc

2. Add your Contact Information:

– Include your full name, phone number, professional email address, and LinkedIn profile. Ensure this information is current and accurate.

3. Write an Attention-Grabbing CV Headline

– Craft a concise headline that encapsulates your professional identity and what you bring to the table.

4. Show off your work Experience (the Right Way!):

– List your work experiences in reverse chronological order. For each role, include the job title, company name, dates of employment, and key responsibilities and achievements. Use bullet points for clarity.

5. Highlight your Skills:

– Create a skills section that includes both hard and soft skills relevant to the position you’re applying for. Be specific and honest about your proficiencies.

6. Detail your Education:

– Include your degrees, institutions attended, graduation dates, and any honors or awards received. If you’re a recent graduate, you might place this section above work experience.

7. Include Optional Sections:

– Depending on your background, you might add sections like Certifications, Languages, Publications, or Volunteer Experience to provide a fuller picture of your qualifications.

8. Format your CV Professionally:

– Use a clean, professional layout with consistent formatting. Stick to one-inch margins, uniform headings, and a readable font size. Avoid overloading your CV with graphics or colors.

9. Tailor your CV for Each Application:

– Customize your CV to align with the specific job description. Highlight experiences and skills that are most relevant to the role you’re pursuing.

10. Proofread & Edit:

– Thoroughly check your CV for grammatical errors, typos, and inconsistencies. Consider having a mentor or peer review it to provide feedback.