Generally, CVs or curriculum vitae have the same characteristics or qualities irrespective of the country or the job sector. They offer the same outline but with different contents. This makes the skill a lucrative one. While they are the same generally, there is a little variation depending on the country and also the level of experience.
Knowing how to write a good CV is good but it is not essential for securing a job. If you do not know how to write one and are not interested in learning, you can give it to someone who knows how to. However, it is still important you know how to write a good CV so you can identify when a person presents one or when the person you contracted to write one for you does a good job.
Therefore, in this article, we will look at the qualities of a good CV, its importance and how to write one. Let’s get started.
What is a Good CV?
A good CV is simply a CV that gives the potential employer an overview of your work history, your motivations, an understanding of his objectives and your suitability for the role. In other words, it is a CV that gives the recruiter a good idea about you and makes him curious to know more about you.
A good CV gets you past the first stage of the recruiting process and into the room for an interview. Hence, it is necessary that every CV you use to apply for a job is a good CV.
Qualities of a Good CV
For a CV to qualify as a Good CV, there are certain qualities that it has to possess. Some of these qualities are:
Easy to read
Your CV is a piece of writing that shows your personality. Your choice of words and mannerism of writing tells the recruiter the kind of person you are. Depending on the kind of job you are applying for or the sector you have experience in, make your CV easy to read. When it is easy to read, then it is easy to understand. When it is easy to understand, then the recruiter is likely to know if you are a good fit for his organization.
Easy to Navigate Outline
Books have a content page, articles have subheadings and research works also have a content page. All these are geared to give the reader an overview of what the content is all about. It allows the reader to choose their area of interest in the write-up as easily and fast as possible. This applies to a good CV.
A good CV should have an outline, in this case, headings that clearly state what each section is all about. This makes it easy for the recruiter to go for the section that they are most interested in.
Clearly States your Skills
Every organization has a set of skills that they expect their employees to possess. These skills vary according to the role and its job description. A good CV should clearly state your skills, especially the ones relevant to the role you are applying for.
Demonstrates a Good Understanding of the Role/ Employer’s Objectives.
When applying for a job, it is important you understand what the requirements of the job are. An applicant who understands what the role is all about is seen in the CV used to apply for the job. This is because he tailors the CV to the job description. That way he demonstrates his interest in the organization and how attentive to details he is.
It Clearly States Your Professional Experience
Your CV carries your previous work experience, be it a volunteering experience, an internship or a job carried out within a short period. The most important part of work experience, especially for experienced-level CVs, is that the experiences included on the CV must related to the job you are applying for. This shows that you have experience in the field and will not be coached from scratch when you join the organization. In the case of fresh graduates, including different forms of experience you have can be condoned to the extent they show the skills that the recruiter is looking out for. Normally, a lot of experience is not required for an entry-level position.
It is not Longer Than Usual
A good CV is usually not longer than the required pages. For entry-level roles, the CV should be 2 pages maximum. This is because the applicant is not expected to possess a lot of work experience. For experienced-level roles, it can go up to 3 or 4 pages. This enables the applicant to capture all the work experience they have acquired over the years.
Must Not Contain Jargon
Jargon refers to unnecessary information. Do not include information that is not relevant to the job advertised. Some examples of jargon are marital status, date of birth, etc. Whatever that does not contribute to the overall picture of you that you want the employer or recruiter to see, a good CV should not possess it.
Must have Visual Appeal
One of the things that pique the interest of any reader is the visual appeal of the writing. The more appealing it is, the more likely that people will read it. This also applies to your CV. While the CV is an official document, it should also present a form of visual appeal. This is your first step at getting the attention of the recruiter as there are a lot of CVs they have to go through.
These are some of the qualities that a good CV should possess. Let us now look at the importance of a good CV.

Importance of a Good CV
- It captures the attention of the recruiter easily and faster.
- Your chances of being called in for an interview are improved.
- It sets the tone for which the recruiter perceives you.
- A good CV shows the benefits you have to offer to the company.
How to Write a Good CV in Ghana
Read the Job Description
For you to write a good CV, you must first read the job description. This gives you an understanding of what the company is looking for and where your skillset comes in.
Make an Outline
An outline guides the order of your CV. An outline contains the following:
- Your personal information section
- Professional summary/objective
- Skills
- Professional experience
- Education
- Volunteer/ other relevant activities like online courses or certifications related to the job sector.
Note: this outline can be rearranged in the order of importance. However, personal information and professional summary must come first and second respectively. For personal information, name, phone number, email, and a little bit of vague house address are needed. Do not write your complete house address, for safety reasons.
Use the Outline to Write your CV
The outline is set. Use it to write the CV. Ensure that each outline is made into headings. This creates a visual appeal and makes the CV easy to navigate. Also, include only information that is relevant to the job advertised. If it doesn’t contribute, keep it at bay.
Check for Typographical and Grammatical Errors
Checking for typos and grammar errors is very important. You would not want a CV where the recruiter is reading it and your grammar is making it difficult to understand you. You can also give someone who you know is better to proofread your CV. They will see it more objectively.
If after going through these steps and you still need assistance with writing your CV, you can contact us at Fasthire. Fasthire is a career brand dedicated to providing all the services you need to secure a job, excel on the job and eventually move to better offers. On our website, you can find articles that guide you on how to prepare for job interviews, write other documents like SOP and even, you can find jobs which you can apply for.
Conclusion
A CV is your first interaction with your potential employer/recruiter. Therefore, it is important that you apply for jobs with a good CV. You have seen above the qualities of a good CV and this article will guide you to write one or identify one when it is written for you.
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