CV Best Practices Feedback (Curriculum Vitae) in 2024

Ever feel like your CV gets lost in the black hole? Been there, done that. But fear not, fellow career climber! I recently reworked my CV with the help of a consultant. 

Bold those Wins

• My consultant did a killer move – bolding my quantifiable achievements. Let’s face it, numbers grab attention. Did you increase sales by 20%? Streamline a process saving the company ₹X?
• Bold those bad boys and make your impact scream! Bonus points: Use strong action verbs to paint a picture of your rockstar-ness. Don’t just say “managed,” say “spearheaded a team that…”

Transparency is Golden

• I snagged an online course certification from Bocconi University (great school!), and my heart is set on INSEAD’s MBA program. The consultant suggested keeping Bocconi’s name – transparency is key.
• It shows you’re serious about European business education. But here’s the secret sauce: tailor it to INSEAD. Briefly mention the course topic and how it aligns with your goals at INSEAD.

Pro Tip:

• Original: Completed an online course certification from a leading European business school.
• Revised: Completed the “[Course Name]” online certification program at Bocconi University. This program provided valuable insights into [topics relevant to INSEAD], further solidifying my interest in pursuing an MBA at a top-tier program like INSEAD.

General CV Slayage Tips

• Target that Dream School: INSEAD for me, but you do you! Tailor your entire CV to showcase the skills and experiences that fit their program and values.
• Results Rule: Focus on achievements, not just duties. Quantify them whenever possible. Did you “manage a team” or did you “spearheaded a team that increased efficiency by 15%“?
• Keyword Magic: Research keywords used by INSEAD (or your target school) in their program descriptions. Sprinkle those keywords throughout your CV strategically.

Remember: Your CV is your ad campaign for your amazing career.  Tell a compelling story that showcases why you’re the perfect fit for that top business school program. Now go forth and conquer those applications!

Sample CV – John Doe

• Header:
  • Name: John Doe (bolded)
  • Contact Information (phone number, email address, LinkedIn profile URL [optional])
• Summary: (Optional)
  • A brief (3-4 sentence) overview of your experience, skills, and career goals.
• Experience:
  • Job Title 1, Company Name, Dates (bolded)
    • Bullet points describing key achievements and responsibilities.
    • Use strong action verbs and quantifiable results whenever possible (e.g., “Increased sales by 20%”).
  • Job Title 2, Company Name, Dates (bolded)
    • Repeat format from Job Title 1, highlighting relevant skills and achievements.
• Education:
  • Degree Name, University Name, Graduation Year (bolded)
    • Include relevant coursework or projects (optional).
  • Online Course Certification: “[Course Name]” at Bocconi University (Year) (bolded)
    • Briefly mention the course topic and its relevance to your career goals (optional).
• Skills: (Optional)
  • A bulleted list of your key skills (technical, soft skills).
  • Consider using keywords relevant to your target program.

Formatting:

• Use a clear and readable font (e.g., Arial, Times New Roman).
• Maintain consistent spacing and margins throughout the document.
• Use bolding strategically to highlight important information (headings, achievements).
• Keep it concise – ideally 1-2 pages.

Remember: This is a sample, and you should tailor it to your specific experience and target program.