When writing a CV, you need to make sure you’re aligned with best practises in your industry. How can you write a great business CV?
OUR USERS HAVE BEEN HIRED BY
If you’re planning to apply for a business-oriented job, you’ll need the perfect CV to help you get started. Even if you don’t feel like you’re very good at CV writing, here’s what you need to know to create a business CV that really shows off your skill set and helps you succeed in whatever industry you choose.
“Business” is often very loosely defined, which means a lot of jobs fall under this job category. Here’s just a few jobs that would be best approached using a business CV:
Additionally, any job that requires any kind of business-based education, like finance, economics, marketing, and accountancy, is typically considered a business job, and can benefit from a business CV.
When a hiring manager goes over a business CV, they’re looking for very specific elements. Here are a few of the things that you’re probably going to need to include in your CV if you want that new job.
Skills
Listing the right skills in your CV is one of the ways you can create a truly professional CV that recruiters want to look at again. Here are a few skills for CV examples you should consider highlighting in your skills section::
The specific skills that you want to list in this section will often depend on the job title that you’re applying for. For example, data analysis skills will typically be paramount for an insurance position, whereas multitasking and collaboration skills will likely be important if you’re looking at an executive assistant position. Remember to list both hard skills and soft skills in any job application and check the job description to see which keywords you should be using.
Work experience/work history
Professional experience is often very important for business CVs. This is why it’s typically best to choose a CV format that prioritises experience, like the chronological CV, as it’s a great format to present your past experience. However, if you’re looking for an entry-level job, you may want to look into other CV formats, including the functional CV or combination CV.
One of the biggest ways to get around the issue of past experience is to utilise academic and internship experience. In your job search, you can showcase both academic and internship experiences as part of your professional experience. These types of activities can help you learn the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in business, and they should be featured if they’re relevant.
Achievements and awards
Lastly, you may want to list achievements and awards that you won over your career. These can give a hiring manager a more straightforward understanding of your skills and talents, making it obvious that you stand out from other job seekers. You can also create a separate section for certifications or memberships (e.g., membership in certain professional organisations).
You should always submit a cover letter with your CV, no matter what field you’re in. A cover letter is also an opportunity to add keywords that you need to get through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Hiring managers often use ATS to scan CVs, looking for certain keywords that reflect the company’s ideal hire. Use the CVHelp cover letter builder to make sure your cover letter looks just as good as your CV.
You can often get a business job with no experience, although this may be more difficult in some business fields than others. In these cases, it’s best to rely on your education, competencies, and alternative experiences such as internships and any volunteer or extracurricular work that features skills and experiences that align with what the job needs.
You should update your CV for every job posting so that you’re reflecting the keywords in the job posting you’re applying for. Every hiring manager is looking for something slightly different, and it’s up to you to present the best version of yourself so you can get the job. Use sample CVs and other CV examples to showcase whatever the hiring manager is looking for.