How to write a winning CV

Maisara has been applying for jobs for the last four years without success. Although she passed with good grades, getting a job has become a nightmare for her.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Maisara has been applying for jobs for the last four years without success. Although she passed with good grades, getting a job has become a nightmare for her. Maisara could be one of those job-seekers who do not take great care when writing their curriculum vitae (CV), meaning that they end up in dustbins. This could be because she includes unnecessary information in the CV that puts off prospective employers. With job-hunting increasingly becoming cut-throat, one must pay a lot of attention when writing their resume to win that dream job. Hereunder are some tips that can help you write a job-winning and impressive CV:Bahati Kamuzinzi, the heads of the human resource Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission, says warns against including salary expectations in your resume.Kamuzinzi argues that this could send wrong signals to prospective employers. He also points out that one should only include character referees on request by the recruiter. Things place of birth or marital status should also be avoided, according to Kamuzinzi."What is the point in indicating in the CV that you were born in Muhanga? Also, unless it is required, one should not include their marital status or religion,” he adds."Although many employers associate marriage with responsibility, leave it out unless it is one of the requirements. If your faith has a huge bearing on your chances of getting the job, then include it,” counsels Kamuzinzi.Kamuzinzi advises job applicants to test the quality of their CV with different people before submitting them "to help you weed out unnecessary stuff”. "You can give it to a few of your friends to read through and advise you accordingly. This will help you correct mistakes to strengthen your resume. Remember, a brief CV stands better chances,” he advises.Suzan Kadama, the head of human resource at African Diva Award, a music promotion firm in Kigali, advises job-seekers to always first think about the purpose of the CV so that they tail it to that specific job."Include all the relevant skills and accomplishments; and your professional experience to date,” Suzan said.According to Kamuzinzi, one should their hobbies in a CV if they are not relevant to the job they are applying for. He adds that information such as how many children you have, skin completion or the political party you subscribe to should never feature in a CV