HR professionals typically spend only around 60 seconds reviewing a CV for the first time. Within those 60 seconds, your CV needs to be clear, easy to read, and visually appealing enough to stand out.

Here is a step-by-step guide to preparing a professional CV that makes recruiters interested in inviting you for an interview.

1. Include Accurate Personal Information (Contact Information)

At the top of your CV, provide clear and accurate contact details so that recruiters can easily reach you.

• Full Name: Display your full name prominently using a larger font or bold text.

• Phone Number and Email Address: Use an active phone number and a professional email address (e.g., kyawkyaw.hr@email.com).

• Address: Include only your township and city. There is no need to provide your full residential address or house number.

• LinkedIn Profile: If you have a LinkedIn account, include its link to strengthen your professional profile.

2. Write an Attractive Summary or Objective (Career Profile)

Summarise your work experience, key skills, and career goals in approximately three to four sentences.

• For Experienced Professionals: Highlight your major achievements, relevant work experience, and key professional strengths.

• For Fresh Graduates: Emphasise your educational qualifications, willingness to learn, relevant academic achievements, and extracurricular activities.

3. Present Your Work Experience Clearly (Work Experience)

List your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent or current position.

• Information to Include: Job title, company name, and employment period (month/year).

• Describing Responsibilities: Instead of using simple or repetitive sentences, use strong action verbs such as Managed, Developed, Achieved, and Led.

• Highlight Achievements with Numbers: Whenever possible, demonstrate measurable results. For example: "Led a team and successfully increased the company's sales by 20%."

4. Include Educational Qualifications and Training (Education & Certifications)

• List your degrees or diplomas, educational institutions, and graduation years.

• Include relevant professional training courses, short courses, and certificates related to the position you are applying for.

5. Highlight Your Skills (Skills)

Divide your skills into two main categories:

• Hard Skills (Technical and Job-Related Skills): Microsoft Office, Data Analysis, Graphic Design, Accounting Software, etc.

• Soft Skills (Interpersonal and Workplace Skills): Communication, Problem-Solving, Leadership, Teamwork, etc.

HR's Recommended Final Checklist

Before submitting your CV, make sure to review the following points:

• Format: Always save and submit your CV in PDF format to maintain its layout and formatting.

• Length: Keep your CV concise, ideally within one to two pages.

• Font: Use professional and easy-to-read fonts such as Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica.

• Spelling and Grammar: Carefully proofread your CV several times to correct any spelling, grammatical, or formatting errors before submitting it.

Final Advice

By following these steps, you can create a well-structured and professional CV that captures an HR recruiter's attention during the initial screening process and increases your chances of being shortlisted for an interview.