How to Write a CV That Lands You the Job
How to Write a CV That Lands You the Job (With Tips for Café Attendants, Graphics Designers, and More)
When it comes to job hunting, your CV is your first impression—and in many cases, it’s your only shot. Whether you’re applying for a role as a Café Attendant, a Graphics Designer, or even something outside your career field, your CV must stand out. In this blog post, you’ll learn how to write a CV that gets noticed, what to delete from your CV, and how to tailor it to specific job roles.
If you’re serious about job search success in Nigeria, don’t forget to check out other useful guides on PolityZen—your one-stop resource for jobs, career tips, and education.
Understanding the Purpose of a CV
A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a document that showcases your education, experience, and skills. Its main purpose is to convince employers that you are the right fit for the job. However, many job seekers make the mistake of creating one generic CV and using it for every application. That’s a recipe for rejection.
General Rules of a Winning CV
Whether you’re a non-HR practitioner, a café worker, or a graphic designer, there are some general CV-writing rules that apply across the board:
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Keep it Short and Focused: Your CV should ideally be 1 page, or 2 pages at most if you have more experience. Long CVs often get skipped by recruiters.
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Edit Before You Submit: Always tweak your CV to match the job description of the role you’re applying for. No one-size-fits-all.
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Don’t Rely 100% on AI: Tools like ChatGPT or other AI assistants can help you draft a CV, but don’t rely on them completely. Make sure your final CV has a human touch and personal context.
Tailored CV Tips by Job Role
Let’s break it down by specific job titles:
1. For Café Attendants
Employers are looking for skills such as customer service, punctuality, cleanliness, and the ability to work under pressure.
Include:
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Work experience in hospitality, retail, or customer service.
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A short summary of your personality (e.g. friendly, reliable, able to work in fast-paced environments).
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Any training or certificates related to food handling or hygiene.
Avoid:
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Technical jargon.
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Overloading your CV with roles that have nothing to do with customer service.
2. For Graphics Designers
Creativity is king here, but your CV should still be structured and professional.
Include:
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A list of software tools you are proficient in (e.g. Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Canva).
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Links to your design portfolio or social media handles showcasing your work.
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Design-specific work experience or freelance gigs.
Avoid:
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Adding actual graphical elements in the CV. Save the creativity for your portfolio. Keep the CV itself simple and easy to read.
3. For Non-HR Practitioners
If you’re switching to a new field or you’re not directly in HR but want a support role, focus on transferable skills.
Include:
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Communication, teamwork, organisation, or administrative experience.
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Any training or certification related to HR or business management.
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Internships or volunteering roles that are relevant.
Avoid:
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Listing roles or experiences that are completely unrelated without context.
What to Delete From Your CV (Unless Specifically Requested)
You might think adding more makes your CV better—but less is often more. Here are some things to delete immediately:
No Picture
Adding your photo is unnecessary and can even introduce unconscious bias.
No Graphical Representation
Avoid pie charts and bars to show your skills. Employers prefer plain text.
No Irrelevant Information
Remove personal details that don’t help your application:
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Date of birth
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Gender
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Marital status
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State of origin
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Religion
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Primary & secondary school education (unless it’s your highest qualification)
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Referees (only provide when requested)
No Low CGPA
If your CGPA is below 2:1 (Second Class Upper) or Upper Credit, you don’t have to include it unless it’s specifically requested.
Do not Write Non-Relevant Work Experience
Tailor your CV to fit the job. If you’ve worked in many different roles, only highlight those that relate to the job you’re applying for.
Avoid Writing Full Home Address
Instead of writing your full address like “24, Tinubu Close, Peter Obi Street, Uromi, Edo State,” simply write Uromi, Edo State or Yaba, Lagos. Keep it brief.
Quick CV Checklist Before Submission
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Is your CV tailored to the job description?
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Have you removed irrelevant info?
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Does your CV fit on 1–2 pages?
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Is it free of spelling and grammar mistakes?
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Have you added your contact details, LinkedIn, or portfolio (if relevant)?
Need a CV Revamp?
If you’re feeling unsure or need professional help with updating your CV, don’t hesitate to send a DM to 07036020983 for a CV revamp. Sometimes, a fresh set of eyes is all you need to take your CV from “meh” to “wow.”
Final Words
Your CV is more than just a list of your qualifications. It’s your personal brand. Whether you’re a fresh graduate or an experienced worker switching careers, crafting the perfect CV can be the difference between getting an interview or getting ghosted.
So, before you hit “send” on that next job application, take a moment to review your CV using the tips above.
Looking for more job tips, CV examples, or educational guides? Head over to PolityZen for expert articles and updates tailored for job seekers in Nigeria.
Good luck!
