You have been searching for the perfect opportunity. You apply hoping to hear back and as time goes by, you have yet to hear from someone.

You send your CV and take a few sips of coffee or maybe tea and wait a little longer. How come no one's reached out? How’s that possible? You might be asking yourself these questions. The answer is your CV. Perhaps you are missing an opportunity to leave a great impression by providing all the necessary information for why you are the right candidate for the job.

Your CV failed to capture that potential employer’s attention. It didn’t hit the mark. So what was the issue?.

First, it's important to understand what a CV is and the purpose of having one.

What is a CV?

A CV or Curriculum Vitae is a short written summary of a person’s career, qualifications, and education. The document is meant to be used when applying for jobs with the hope of providing enough information that demonstrates you are the right candidate for the job based on work experience, qualifications, and even education. In other words, a CV is similar to a resume.

The main difference between a CV and Resume is the origin and location of an application. In Europe, the file submitted will be a CV, and in America or with a U.S.-based employer, it will be a resume. However, resumes and CVs have other noticeable distinctions when it comes to academia.

The most important thought a candidate should keep in mind is competition when applying for a job. According to Zety, “you compete against 250 other candidates on average,” which means potential employers have developed a fast and effective way of scouting the “ideal” candidate. Also, “recruiters spend only six seconds scanning each CV,” according to Zety.

What do recruiters look for?

Recruiters look for a concise and properly organized document. Often times, candidates overlook the importance of proofreading their CV or resume, and making sure it provides the most accurate information.

CV Sections to be Included:

1. Contact Information (in some cases a header is ideal)
2. Objective or Summary

    -Objective: Needs to be an eye-catching summary of your career. Approach the 'objective' as your intended career goal, and what you wish to accomplish.

   -Summary: Needs to encapsulate your experience, qualifications, and achievements. Approach the 'summary' as your pitch to the recruiter. What should this person know about you? Why are you the right candidate? This is your opportunity to grab the recruiter's attention.

3.  Work Experience

4.  Education

5.  Skills

6.  Additional information

    -Extracurricular activities

    -Projects

    -Awards

    -Training

   -Certifications

   -Hobbies and Interests (pertinent to the job you are applying)

   -Volunteer experience

Other Things to Consider:

• Make sure to choose clear and legible fonts
• Make sure to have a consistent layout
• Don’t overload your CV with unnecessary information. White spaces are important for readability.
• No Photos (unless explicitly stated in the job advertisement)
• CV should be brief and relevant to the job you are applying