A skills based CV focuses on skills and achievements instead of employment history. It is very different from a traditional chronological CV. Skills based CV is best suited when:

• You have limited or no previous working experience. It is a great choice for students and fresh graduates.
• You are seeking a new career path or have decided to make a career transition.
• You have considerable time gaps in your career.
• You have previously held roles that are very skills driven and want to focus on your accomplishments.
• You are at an advanced stage in your career and a chronological CV seems very basic for your profile.

In such cases, the previous experience does not hold much relevance and hence, the skills based CV is used to divert the employer’s focus towards skills and achievements to give the applicant a better chance at being shortlisted. Many suitable candidates are not shortlisted as their CV is unable to portray their skills effectively. A skills based CV helps you by focusing on what the employers want. It is tailored as per the skills mentioned in the job description, hence, giving you the edge over other applicants.

The hospitality industry is a very customer focused industry. A hospitality employee is expected to provide top notch customer service to its customers. Hence, the CV writing style needs to reflect and focus mainly on one particular skill i.e. customer service. Hospitality employers like to hire candidates who have demonstrated excellent customer service skills in their previous roles and are a 100 percent committed to their customers.

If you are applying to the hospitality industry, your CV needs to showcase the above. The introduction, skills and job roles should all focus on your ability to provide outstanding customer service. As an employee within a hospitality business, you will be expected to work flexible hours, politely meet and greet customers, maintain a professional outlook at all times and be presentable. This applies for most hospitality jobs from the front staff to a management job such as a Hotel Manager.

In today’s world, almost everything is available online. People are turning to the internet for all their requirements, whether it is to buy groceries or to buy an apartment. Naturally, the internet also plays a big role in your job search. Employers look online as soon as a position opens up at their company. Job seekers have to keep up with this trend if they wish to land the right job in today’s digital job market. In order to be found by the employers, it is essential that you create a digital resume for yourself.

CV writing is a complex task and more so if you are a student or a fresh graduate. The lack of experience can make it extremely challenging for a student to write a compelling CV. In such a scenario, it is important that the focus is on the skills and education gained. Students need to explain to the employers how their education is commercially relevant and how they can add value to the organization.

It is not sufficient to just mention your education on the resume. An employer may not necessarily grasp the usefulness of your degree just by its name. Also, unlike a seasoned professional, the biggest selling point of a student’s CV is their education. Hence, the more details you can write the better.