How Do I Create a CV?
Create a stellar CV with CVapp.ie in 10 easy steps:
This article will guide you through all the essential sections of our CV editor:
Step 1: Choose a template and accent colour
To get started, choose a CV template that has a design that works well for your industry. We have a range of 26 distinct and professionally crafted templates to cater to the varied needs of our CVapp.ie job hunters. Not sure what template to start with? Don't worry! Once you have added your CV information, you can quickly switch the design or adjust the section order. Additionally, we have recently introduced a Custom Colour Picker Tool that allows you to pick from a vast range of colours with the aid of a gradient picker system.
Step 2: Add your personal details
Please note that depending on your location or industry, certain fields in this section may hold more relevance than others. You may skip or leave some fields blank if you wish. It is important to remember that this is the first section somebody will view.
Here are some important fields in the “Personal Details” section:
Job title: The job title you're pursuing or applying for should be placed at the top of your CV. This lets you tailor your CV to fit the specific requirements of each position.
Photo: If you have a professional photograph that you'd like to include, you can also upload it in this section. Keep in mind that some of our templates can accommodate images. For some CVs, however, you won’t be able to upload an image.
Step 3: Write your professional profile
The professional profile section of a CV gives candidates the opportunity to capture a hiring manager's interest by describing your career path, highlighting how your skills align with the job you're applying for, and conveying your aspirations for the future. It's important to make every word count and show that you're the ideal candidate for the position! Here’s an example of a great professional profile:
Step 4: Add links
Adding links to your CV is a great way for employers to get to know you without taking up too much space. You can add links to your social media profiles, personal website, or online portfolio.
Step 5: Add your employment history
The most important section of your CV is your work experience. You’ll want to list jobs from the last 10 years. Be sure to feature roles that are relevant to the job you're applying for. It should look something like this:
It’s common to see modern CVs that use bullet points and strategically selected keywords to convey the applicant's relevant skills and experiences. However, crafting this section can still be quite a challenge, as it requires applicants to condense their accomplishments and abilities into concise, impactful statements that effectively demonstrate their suitability for the role. Finding the right balance between brevity and specificity is key.
Step 6: Add your education
When crafting your CV, it's generally a good idea to mention your highest level of academic achievement first. For example, if you hold a Master's Degree, there's no need to go into detail about your Leaving Certificate. That being said, if you're a recent graduate looking to kickstart your career, it can be useful to provide more information about your educational background. Check out our education section example below:
Step 7: List your skills
If you're looking for a concise and impactful approach to showcase your abilities, the Skills Section is the way to go! By utilising our template designs, you can spotlight your expertise with ease. Additionally, incorporating relevant keywords in this section can further enhance the effectiveness of your CV.
You can also use our CVapp.ie Skills Suggestion tool in our CV Builder! Our algorithms do all the work for you and will suggest skills as you input your information. The more you add, the more our system will refine and suggest relevant skills to help you showcase your professional strengths. You can adjust your expertise level, or choose not to show your experience level. It will look something like this:
Step 8: Add special sections and customise your layout:
We make it easy to adjust sections, including courses, references, languages, extra-curricular activities, and internships.
We’ve also made it easy to add a Custom Section – you can name it whatever you’d like!
Step 9: Edit and proofread
Submitting a well-crafted CV is crucial for job applicants. To ensure that your CV is free from errors and inconsistencies, it's important to edit and proofread your CV thoroughly before sending it out to prospective employers. You can use various methods, such as reading it backwards, reading it aloud, or having someone else look it over. While spellcheck tools are useful and our CVapp.ie spell-check will do most of the work for you, it's still essential to check for typos and grammatical errors yourself. It's also important to include only the most relevant information on your CV due to space limitations.
Step 10: Download and share your CV
After editing your CV, there are several formats to export your file to. You can download a .txt file and easily copy and paste it into your preferred word processor or share online links to your CV through our free plan. To take advantage of our premium design themes and download a .pdf file or a .docx file, consider upgrading to a trial or other premium plan. We're also excited to offer the option to download your CV as a .docx file!
Can I match my cover letter with my CV?
Yes! Don't forget that we now also offer over 15 exceptional cover letter templates to accompany your CV. Our sleek and modern designs match our CV templates, helping your job applications stand out even further. Simply click on the Cover Letter tab on your Dashboard and start creating the perfect cover letter to take your application to the next level. You can even merge your CV and Cover Letter into one single document to send to potential employers. This PDF merge option is also convenient for recruiters and potential employers – it’s a win-win! All of our CVapp.ie cover letter templates have matching CV templates. Check out our Cover Letter Builder to browse our professional designs!