Let’s create a CV – in only 5 minutes 🙌

No matter if you apply for freelance gigs or permanent jobs: your CV will be important to land a gig (outside of your network and previous client testimonials)

Hopefully, you already have a CV. Maybe it’s not the most up to date. Maybe it’s not very nicely designed. But you will have one where you added some work experience, skills and ideally a short summary.

If you haven’t, don’t fret.

We’re the lucky one’s living in a time where there’s ChatGPT and free software. So let’s work on a CV.

How to create a CV from scratch

When trying to find a way to do a CV in 5 minutes for my advent calendar challenge last year, I came across Zety. No, this isn’t sponsored, it’s just a tool i came across that impressed me on how quickly it is to create a decent looking CV. But for transparency: after i found it I did check for an affiliate link 🤫

Of course, a tool that saves you hours on trying to make your CV pixel perfect isn’t free. But I was surprised how cheap it is. You can get access to the full tool to create unlimited CVs and cover letters for 14 days for USD 2.70 🤯 – make sure to cancel after those 14 days if you don’t want a surprise subscription

☝️Hard truth

If you’re not willing to spend the money you’d spend on a take away coffee for a tool that will safe you hours of your own time, you probably don’t have the right mindset to become a freelancer.

BUT if you already have a CV you’re happy with, just use the time to improve it by 10%. Check for spelling mistakes. Is there some information you can cut out or add that’s more beneficial for freelancing?

How to get Brownie points

Make sure your CV makes it clear that you’re a freelancer. And if you have your business structure defined, make sure that’s visible too. You can see on my CV below that I list my Ltd, which will help recruiters know that I’m ready and set up for future gigs.

If you don’t know what a business structure is, check out this article.

Here’s the CV that I’ve created on Zety

Create your CV with Zety

Why does it matter?

This one is quite obvious: If you don’t have an existing client base, people want to know why you’re able to do what you claim to offer for them. Why should they hire you? What’s the proof that you can get the job done? Well, your CV is one way to give them proof and reassurance. The other one is your portfolio, which we’ll get to in this blog article (yes, there’s also an easy way to create a portfolio – and that one is for free 🤫 )

Good things need time

Of course, spending 5 minutes on a CV will not guarantee you work. But it’s better than having no CV. So if you already have a CV, set aside some time to improve it.

Create a free CV in 5 minutes

What should your CV include?

1. Your CV should make it clear wether you’re a freelancer or are looking for a permanent job. If you are a freelancer: What company structure do you work under?
2. Testimonials: Add a testimonial from a previous client. This will add additional proof
3. Work history: Show the type of work you’ve done already
4. Summary: What makes you stand out from all the other people who are applying for the same job?

👩🏻‍💻 Free Guide

The exercise described in this blog article is one of the steps of my free guide for future freelancers.

Get the guide for free.