How to Create a GREAT CV as a Professional
Here's exactly what to do:
✅ 1. Start With a Strong Professional Summary
-Skip the generic intro. Instead, summarize:
-Who you are professionally (title/area of expertise)
-How many years of experience you have
-Your biggest strengths or achievements
-The value you bring
𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲:
“𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝟴+ 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗠𝗖𝗚 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮-𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗢𝗜 𝗯𝘆 𝟯𝟱%.”
✅ 2. Tailor It to the Role You Want
-No more one-size-fits-all CVs. For every job application:
-Use keywords from the job description
-Reframe your achievements to match the employer’s needs
✅ 3. Highlight Achievements, Not Just Duties
-Employers want to see results, not just responsibilities.
Transform this:
“𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘀”
𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀:
“𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝘆 𝟲𝟱% 𝗶𝗻 𝟯 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀-𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀.”
-Use action verbs + metrics where possible:
-Improved, Led, Increased, Reduced, Achieved, Launched, etc.
✅ 4. Format It Professionally and Cleanly
Your CV should be:
-Easy to scan (clear headings, bullet points, 10–12pt font)
-Consistent in formatting (dates, spacing, alignment)
-1–2 pages max (unless you’re in academia or a senior exec)
✅ 5. Make It ATS-Friendly
-Most companies use software to filter CVs. To beat the bots:
-Use standard section headings: "Work Experience", "Skills", "Education"
-Avoid fancy graphics or tables
-Save as a Word doc or PDF (unless stated otherwise)
✅ 6. Include Relevant, Powerful Skills
-Add a skills section that reflects your industry. Include both:
-Hard skills: e.g., Salesforce, SQL, Project Management, SEO
-Soft skills: e.g., Leadership, Communication, Strategic Thinking
Tailor this to every job description.
✅ 7. Update It Regularly
-Don’t wait until you need it. Update your CV:
-After major projects
-When you get a promotion
-If your career goals shift
Want a CV That Gets Results?
At OYK, we don’t just polish CVs—we position professionals for success. We’ll help you:
✔️ Craft a compelling career story
✔️ Optimize your CV for your target roles
✔️ Stand out with clear, confident achievements
✔️ Align your CV with global standards & ATS compliance
📩 Email your CV with subject “CV UPGRADE” via our email cv@oyk.co.ke to get started.