Crafting a CV: 8 Tips for Creative Skills & Experience

Published on 18 July 2023 8 min read

5. Include Volunteer Experience

In the world of job hunting, crafting a compelling CV that showcases your creative experience and skills can be the difference maker. By presenting your abilities in a clear, concise, and compelling manner, you put yourself in the best position to catch the eye of potential employers. It's not just about listing out your skills and experiences—it's about telling a story. A story that tells who you are, what you've done, and why you're the best person for the job. But how do you go about crafting such a CV? Here are eight practical tips that can help you do exactly that.

1. Tailor Your CV

The first step in crafting a compelling CV is to tailor it to the job you're applying for. You might have a wide variety of skills and experiences, but not all of them will be relevant to every job. So, you have to sift through your skills and experiences and select those that are most relevant to the job you're applying for.

Start by reading the job description carefully. Look for keywords and phrases that describe the skills and experiences the employer is looking for. Then, match those keywords and phrases with your own skills and experiences. Here's how you might do it:

Job Description: We're looking for a graphic designer with a strong portfolio, a knack for creativity, and experience in Adobe Creative Suite.
Your CV: As a graphic designer with five years of experience, I have developed a strong portfolio that showcases my creative abilities. I have extensive experience using Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

Note that in this example, the CV doesn't just list out the skills—it provides evidence for them. This is key. It's not enough to say that you have a skill—you have to show it. By tailoring your CV in this manner, you make it easier for the employer to see why you're a good fit for the job.

2. Highlight Relevant Skills

When crafting a CV, it's important to not just list your skills, but highlight those that are most relevant to the job you're applying for. You want potential employers to see right away that you have the skills they're looking for. But how do you do that?

One way is to create a 'Skills' section in your CV, where you can list out your relevant skills. This section should be easy to find and should preferably be near the top of your CV. Here's an example:

Skills: Adobe Creative Suite, Graphic Design, Creativity, Time Management, Teamwork.

Another way to highlight your relevant skills is to weave them into your 'Experience' section. For example, rather than just stating that you worked as a graphic designer, you could say:

Experience: Worked as a Graphic Designer at XYZ Company, where I used Adobe Creative Suite to create eye-catching designs, managed my time effectively to meet deadlines, and collaborated with a team to brainstorm creative ideas.

In this example, not only have you stated your job title and where you worked, but you've also highlighted your relevant skills. By doing so, you're showing potential employers not just what you've done, but how you've done it. Remember, it's not just about having the right skills—it's about using them effectively.

3. Showcase Creative Work

Now that you've highlighted your relevant skills, it's time to show them off. This is where crafting a compelling CV gets creative. It's time to showcase your creative work. How? By including a portfolio, of course! But, wait—how do you include a portfolio in a CV?

One method is to mention specific projects under your 'Experience' section. When describing your roles and responsibilities, include the outcomes of your work. For instance, if you worked as a freelance web designer, you could say:

Experience: As a Freelance Web Designer, I designed the ABC Company's website, leading to a 30% increase in their online traffic.

Did you catch that? Not only did you showcase your creative work, but you also quantified its impact. That's a double win!

Another method is to create a separate 'Projects' or 'Portfolio' section in your CV. Here, you can list out your creative projects and give a brief description of each. Remember to include any recognitions or awards you received for your work. Here's an example:

Portfolio: Redesigned XYZ Company's logo, which won the Best Logo Design award at the 2020 Design Awards.

Remember, potential employers want to see what you're capable of. So, don't be shy—showcase your creative work in your CV!

4. Quantify Achievements

The next step in crafting a compelling CV is to quantify your achievements. But what does it mean to quantify achievements, and why is it important?

Quantifying achievements means attaching numbers, percentages, or any kind of measurable outcome to your accomplishments. It's important because it provides concrete proof of your capabilities and the value you bring to the table. It's one thing to say you're a good graphic designer; it's another to say you increased a company's brand visibility by 50% with your designs.

So, how do you go about it? Here's a simple way:

Experience: As a Social Media Manager, I increased the company's Instagram followers by 70% in six months.

Here, not only have you stated your role, but you've also given a measurable outcome of your work. This gives potential employers a clear idea of what you can achieve.

Another way is through your education. If you're a recent graduate, you can quantify your achievements by mentioning your GPA or how you ranked in your class. For example:

Education: Graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 3.9 GPA in Fine Arts from University of Colorado, Boulder.

By quantifying your achievements, you're not just telling potential employers about your skills—you're showing them just how effective you can be!

5. Include Volunteer Experience

When crafting a compelling CV, don't overlook your volunteer experience. You might be thinking, "But it wasn't a paid job, does it really count?" Absolutely! In fact, volunteer work can often showcase your creative skills and experience just as effectively, if not more so, than your professional work.

Why? Because volunteering often requires a level of commitment, passion, and creativity that goes beyond what's required in a regular job. It's a chance for you to apply your skills in new and challenging contexts, and these are experiences that potential employers value highly.

Here's how you can present your volunteer experience:

Volunteer Experience: As a volunteer designer for Denver's local animal shelter, I created promotional materials that increased adoption rates by 60% over a year.

Just like with your professional achievements, the key here is to quantify your contributions as much as possible. This gives a clear indication of what you're capable of achieving, even in a non-traditional work setting.

So, don't hesitate to include your volunteer work in your CV. It could be the thing that sets you apart from the crowd!

6. Employ Action Verbs

When crafting a compelling CV, the words you choose matter a lot. And here's a secret - action verbs are your best friends. Why? Because they make your CV more dynamic and engaging, and they're excellent at showcasing your creative skills and experience.

Let's be honest, which of the following statements sounds more impressive?

"I was responsible for designing a new logo."
"I designed a new logo."

The second statement, right? That's the power of action verbs. They make you sound more confident and proactive. So, replace those passive phrases with active ones. Here are a few examples:

Developed: A great choice for when you've created something from scratch. "Developed a new website for a local business."
Revamped: Perfect for when you've improved something that already existed. "Revamped the company's social media strategy, leading to a 40% increase in engagement."
Coordinated: Ideal for showing your leadership skills. "Coordinated a team of designers for a charity project."

Remember, the goal here is to paint a clear, vivid picture of your skills and achievements. And action verbs can help you do just that.

7. Avoid Common CV Mistakes

Creating a compelling CV is not just about what you should do, but also about what you should avoid. Let's discuss some common mistakes that many people make when crafting their CVs, and how you can steer clear of them.

Too Wordy

When presenting your creative experience and skills, avoid the temptation to write lengthy descriptions. Recruiters often review dozens of CVs at a time, so they appreciate brevity. Keep it concise. Focus on your major achievements and responsibilities, and use action verbs to make your points more impactful.

Being Vague

Avoid vague statements like "I have good communication skills." Instead, provide specific examples of how you've used your skills. For instance, "Presented a marketing strategy to a panel of executives and received approval to implement it."

Ignoring the Job Description

When crafting a compelling CV, it's crucial to tailor it to the specific job you're applying for. Ignoring the job description and sending a generic CV is a common mistake that can cost you the job. Make sure your CV highlights the skills and experiences that are relevant to the position.

Spelling and Grammar Errors

Lastly, spelling and grammar errors can ruin the impression of an otherwise excellent CV. These mistakes can make you seem careless and unprofessional. So, always proofread your CV before sending it out.

Remember, your CV is your chance to make a great first impression. Avoiding these common mistakes will help you create a CV that stands out from the crowd.

8. Proofread and Edit

You've worked hard crafting a compelling CV, showcasing your creative experience and skills. But before you hit 'send', there's one final yet critical step—proofreading and editing.

Why Proofread?

Proofreading is not just about catching typos. It's about ensuring your CV is clear, concise, and error-free. It's about making sure the recruiter can understand your story and see your value at a glance. It's about presenting a polished, professional image. In short, proofreading can make or break your chances of landing that dream job.

How to Proofread

Here are some tips for effective proofreading:

Take a Break: After you finish writing, take a break before you start proofreading. This helps you to approach your CV with fresh eyes and catch mistakes you might have missed.
Read Out Loud: Reading your CV out loud can help you spot awkward phrasing, run-on sentences, or missing words.
Use Spell-Check Tools: Tools like Grammarly can help catch spelling and grammar errors. But remember, these tools are not infallible. You still need to do a manual check.

Edit for Clarity and Brevity

Editing is not just about fixing errors. It's about improving clarity and brevity. Remove any unnecessary words or phrases. Make sure every sentence adds value and moves your story forward. Remember, recruiters don't have time for fluff—they want to see your skills and achievements clearly and quickly.

Proofreading and editing might seem like a chore, but they're key steps in crafting a compelling CV. With a polished, error-free CV, you'll be well on your way to catching the recruiter's eye and landing that dream job.

If you're looking to showcase your creative skills and experience in the best light, don't miss the workshop 'Creating a Portfolio for Graduate School' by Ciarra K. Walters. This workshop will provide you with essential tips and guidance on how to create an impressive portfolio that will make your CV stand out when applying for graduate school or other professional opportunities.