Unemployment is a serious issue in South Africa. Statistics South Africa indicates that the youth unemployment rate, measuring job seekers between 15 and 24 years old, fell further to an over two-year low of 59.6% in the third quarter of 2022, from 61.4% in the previous period. When job hunting, your CV plays a critical role in the job application process.

TIPS ON HOW TO FIX IMPROVE YOUR CV
Human Resources Coordinator from Penguin Fundi Twala and HR Director Annemie Burger know a thing or two about what makes a CV stand out. They share their insights with ZiMoja on how to help in transforming yours as easy as possible.

Start with a Real Photo
In a world of filters and editing apps, many people create entirely new versions of themselves online. If you're going to include a photo in your CV, the key is to have it actually looking like you, not some overly touched-up or tweaked version. This is to guarantee that any interviewer won't have to glance down at your CV to make sure they've got the right person in the room. "A selfie is unlikely to come across as very professional, so ask someone to take a picture of you in front of a neutral background instead. You don't have to be as formal as you would for an ID or passport photo. Be authentic and showcase your beautiful smile for everyone to appreciate,' Fundi says.

Include the Essentials
Every CV must have the essential information for hiring teams not to have any questions to ask in order to establish if you are fit to interview for the role. This includes contact information, work experience, your education (including qualifications or certifications), as well as your relevant skills. "Start with the latest work experience and include dates, as HR teams tend to look at when you were employed and how long you stayed with the company. The more detailed you can be without writing an essay about each, the better,' Annemie adds.

Good Grammar and Formatting are Alive and Well
If you aren't the best writer, no sweat. Programs like Microsoft Word and LibreOffice have built-in tools to check documents for grammar and spelling errors. Spend time tending to format too. Using a legible font with unified spacing across signals polish and professionalism. "Double check all of these before saving the doc as a PDF and firing off your application. Not doing so is the easiest way to get your CV placed on the rejection pile.'

Long CVs are a No-No
It's 2023, and nobody has time to go through a ten-pageCV anymore. Getting the length of your resume spot on doesn't mean having tocut some of your experience out. You simply need to give the most detail onyour last two or three roles, which hiring teams are likely to focus on anyway."As a whole, your CV should be punchy, writtenin short sentences. In the final read through, take out any adjectives thatmight come off as slightly arrogant, like "exceptional' [job title], or"world-class' this or that, as your experience will speak for itself withouthaving to be over inflated.'

Creativity Sets You Apart From the Rest
HR teams go through thousands of CVs every year. Many use a standard CV template the candidate found on Google. A bit of creative flair when it comes to design will help with making you stand out from the rest of the crowd. "No matter what type of role you're applying for, try using a modern template with colour (easy to do on a free tool like Canva). You'll end up making an impression on the person on the receiving end, as well as injecting a bit of fun into the hiring process too.'

Two Must-Have Summaries
The Penguin HR team believes in two summaries that will make any CV pack a punch. The first is a short summary of who you are. Be original with this - don't default to what you think someone wants to hear. Instead, share what you are really good at, as well as what you are looking for in your next role and team. "Next, add an executive summary on the same one-pager, detailing your experiences and achievements. A recruiter or hiring manager might be on a tight deadline, glancing primarily at this to decide if you're fit to interview. Craft three to five concise sentences at most for each of the two sections.'