A very useful aspect of your application is your CV. If companies receive applications, the first screening criterion is how your CV looks.

Someone with a lower University grade, but a professionally written CV and cover letter will have a higher chance than an applicant with a bad CV or application emails will so many spelling errors.

The design or layout of CVs doesn’t really matter, provided that all words or letters are properly presented with no spelling mistakes.

The most important features of a good CV are:

• Smart, simple and well presented format within 2-3 Pages. Complex or very detailed CVs can be confusing and takes time to read.
• Suitable fonts like Arial, Verdana, Tahoma or Trebuchet MS. It is better to use just one of these fonts as they are very easy to read and look professional.
• Use Title Case and not excessive CAPITAL LETTER. Capital Letters in a CV can be irritating to an Employer. Make use of relevant case throughout.
• Showcase your Experience before Education. Employers are more interested in what you have done to relate to what you can do.
• Use the following Titles: Profile, Experience, Education, Training, Etc. This is not a rule, but when you spend one page on Education, it does waste people’s time. They want to see how relevant you are to the job – since Experience counts.
• Don’t use bright colours. If possible, stick to Black. You don’t have to design the CV in order to impress. What you need is a smart way to sell yourself.
• Save CV as your actual name. Example Bola Okafor and not ‘my CV’. Imagine that many people send CVs and a good way to be unique is using your name.
• Write a brief email / cover letter that state your skills for the job and what you can bring in (not your education or your local government).
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