Frequently Asked Questions About CVs and Cover Letters

Whether you use a CV builder is a personal decision, but there are clearly benefits to using builders. Benefits include:

• Streamlining the cv creation process after you enter some basic information.
• Having a professional-quality cv in minutes.
• Getting pre-written suggested text that’s been approved by experts.
• Choosing from hundreds of attractive CV designs.
• Having a document that’s guaranteed to pass the applicant tracking system (ATS).
• The ability to quickly customise your CV for each job you apply to.

The best CV builder is the one that fits your needs and helps you land a job. A great builder will help you do all of the following:

• Create a stellar CV in a matter of minutes.
• Allow you to customise the CV as you apply for a variety of jobs.
• Offer pre-written phrases to match your experience and help you pass the applicant tracking system.
• Make downloading in multiple formats quick and easy.

Absolutely! You can download and save your CV in multiple formats, including Word.

A CV template is a useful tool that:

• Provides the overall structure and design of a CV.
• Organises your professional information within a professionally designed framework.
• Gives your CV a polished look.
• Is a reliable blueprint for a successful CV.

The best CV template will be designed differently depending on your career path. Accountants, for example, should use a clean, basic design, whereas copywriters or graphic designers may want a template that is a little more unusual or daring.

After choosing the best CV template for your needs, then it’s time to write your CV. CVHelp’s CV builder helps you do this section by section quickly and easily. Just click “create your CV,” and we will walk you through the steps to fill out each section. We’ll even provide relevant keywords and give you tips throughout the process. You’ll have the chance to save your progress along the way and edit your work before you save and download your final CV.

CVHelp’s professional CV and cover letter templates are created by certified professionals and are recruiter-approved.

An applicant tracking system (ATS) is a software program that recruiters and hiring managers use to scan CV and cover letters for relevance to job openings. They look for keywords and phrases that match the job description and rank candidates based on how much their CV and cover letters meet the employer’s requirements for the position.

Yes! CVHelp’s CV templates are optimised for (applicant tracking system) ATS software. Our professionally designed, recruiter-approved templates ensure proper placement of your information, correct use of headers and footers, appropriate fonts, and clear margins. Having all those pieces in place makes it easy for ATS programs to accept CV.

A CV example is a guide for job applicants who want inspiration for writing their CV. CV samples show job seekers how to format their CV, help them choose the best design for their experience level, industry and job title, and can provide insight into CV writing best practices.

To get the best use of a CV example:

• Think about the type of job you want.
• Consider your work experience.
• Select the appropriate format to showcase your accomplishments.
• Review the design, the template used to build your CV.
• Study the CV example and apply what you learn to your CV.

The CV format you choose depends on your career level, work history, skills and professional goals.

CV should cap out at two pages. Most job seekers will only use one page, but applicants who have 10+ years of experience may find two pages useful. A well-written CV will always be brief and direct while getting across a candidate’s qualifications accurately and clearly.

Yes! You need to create a new CV for every job you apply to. You must customise your information for each position, company and industry. No job is identical: Even when applying for roles with the same job title in the same industry, there will be variation. Ultimately, every company has varying perspectives and goals and your CV should speak to those things first and foremost. So read each job description closely and customise your CV to match it.

CVHelp’s CV builder makes it easy to customise your CV for each job. You can start from scratch by picking a new template for every application or you can edit and rewrite a previous CV after you’ve saved it and downloaded it. Just make sure you save it with a new file name for the next job.

Transferable skills are the skills valuable in a variety of occupations, and having such skills allows you to seamlessly transition between jobs. You can transfer your skills by reading the job description. Hone in on the most important skills and highlight them. Now, rewrite your CV to include those skills wherever possible.

You can make your CV stand out by matching your skills to the job description. Employers will be impressed if you highlight your most relevant skills and experience.

Yes, if the job description requires it, you can add a photo to your CV. Our CV templates allow you to easily upload a portrait of yourself

There are several reasons to avoid using graphics and fancy fonts on your CV, including:

• Applicant tracking systems (ATS) can’t scan CV filled with graphics and inappropriate fonts, so it’s likely your CV won’t make it to a hiring manager, and all your effort will be wasted.
• It will look like you are trying too hard, making hiring managers view you as desperate. Hiring managers don’t want desperate candidates.
• Some hiring managers view fancy CVs as showy and narcissistic — traits that are often frowned upon.
• They detract from your qualifications. Hiring managers are busy, so they need to be able to read through your CV quickly. Don’t make them look for your relevant information, or they may just move on to the next candidate.
• Some hiring managers see graphical CV as unprofessional. Sure, a highly stylised CV might get you noticed, but not in a positive way.

Accomplishments are vital to your CV because they tell employers precisely what you can achieve for them. Add them to your work history instead of listing your responsibilities and quantify them with numbers for the most significant impact.

For example:

Instead of: “Takes vital signs, records health data, and performs procedures including venipuncture, measuring blood pressure, pulse rate, respiration, weight and height.

Try: “Measures and records health data and performs routine procedures such as venipuncture for an average of 65 patients per day with a consistent patient approval rating of 100%.”

The best way to determine which skills to use on your CV is to read the job description carefully and take note of which requirements match your skillset. List those skills on your CV, taking care to use a mix of soft and hard skills to convey that you are well-rounded.

The general rule of thumb for how much experience to show on a CV is no more than 10 years to stay current and keep your CV at the recommended two pages maximum. It is possible to show 15 to 20 years of experience if you think it’s necessary, but if you do, then keep it concise. It helps if you’ve only worked for a handful of jobs in that time and if you use a combination CV format.

Irrelevant personal details and work experience that bears no relationship to the job you’re targeting have no place on your CV.

Unless the job application instructions state “Do not send a cover letter,” you should always send a cover letter, even if the instructions do not ask for one or if they imply that one is not necessary. When coupled with a strong CV, a good cover letter can be the critical factor in getting an interview. This is because cover letters help you stand out, provide the opportunity to introduce yourself, and give depth and context to the information on your CV.

Cover letters accompany your CV and give you an opportunity to explain why you’re the right person for the job. You can do so by highlighting your skills and career achievements. Cover letters are also a great way to differentiate yourself from other, similarly-qualified candidates who neglect to include one in their application.

Employers look to cover letters to see whether you have the right skill set, professional achievements and ability to communicate that will make you an effective employee.

Yes, you do need a different cover letter for every job. Read each job description closely, and customize your cover letter to match the skills and demands listed in the description. This will show you are truly interested in the position.

Your cover letter should include the following components:

• Header that includes your contact information
• Name and address of the person you are sending it to
• An opening paragraph that intrigues the recruiter and outlines why are you are qualified for the job
• Two or three short paragraphs that expand on key points in your CV and explain how you’ve used your most relevant skills
• A closing paragraph that summarises important aspects of the letter

You should always address the cover letter to the hiring manager or recruiter who works with the company. However, there may be occasions when you don’t have a name, in which case you can write “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear Hiring Team.”

Cover letters should never be longer than one page. Hiring managers are busy. They may be reading dozens (sometimes hundreds) of applications. Brevity shows that you’re clear, concise and respectful of the hiring manager’s time.