The Power of Additional CV Sections

A well-organised resume with extra sections in a CV includes all the necessary elements and information to get the hiring manager’s attention and increase your chances of getting a job interview. While all resumes are different, there are a few necessary sections to include in a good CV, while others are optional but improve your chances of standing out to a hiring manager.

The power of additional sections can showcase your outstanding skills, qualifications, achievements and awards, which can round up your experience and help you present yourself as a determined, curious and dedicated person who follows outside passions and brings extraordinary energy to work. These additional CV sections help you stand out from other job applicants.

Also, adding relevant headings to your CV sections can help recruiters easily understand each section and ensure your resume gets read thoroughly. How you organise and explain your sections is one of the first things hiring managers see when they read your resume.

Choosing the Right Extra Sections

Most CVs include up to five sections that allow recruiters to learn the most important information to determine whether they are the right fit for the job. These include:

  • Education section
  • Contact information 
  • Professional summary 
  • Work history 
  • Skills 

However, resumes can contain other sections depending on the type of job that you are applying to. The extra sections will depend on what you think is most relevant to the job and what you like highlighting to get the recruiters’ attention. For example, you could add:

  • Volunteering experience – adding an extra section for community engagement is helpful if you apply with an organisation that promotes and encourages social engagement and responsibility. 
  • Professional certifications or licenses – if the job title requires any specific licenses and certifications, add them to stand out from other candidates by including the certificate’s name and the date you received it, and add them in bullet points.
  • Hobbies and interests section – you may list some of your hobbies that are closely connected to your skills, are important to the job description and also fit the company’s culture. This is a very useful section, especially for a recent graduate, where you can show your passion and interests without a long history of work experience.
  • Associations – as an extra section, showing your involvement in the industry by listing some associations you belong to is valuable, increases your credibility and showcases your commitment. 
  • References – you can stand out from other candidates if some of your clients, customers or colleagues support your credibility and reputation. 

Creative Extra Sections to Consider

Showcasing your creative thinking on your resume is essential, and adding extra creative sections allows recruiters and hiring managers to go through your resume and be interested in getting to know you better.

Creative thinking is an important skill to include in a CV. As a skill, creative thinking is essential for both your professional and personal life. It allows you to find solutions to challenges, become open-minded, build resilience, and surpass any obstacles in your career. Expressing these qualities in the skills section can help you stand out as a valuable asset since companies want people on their teams who will not back away from challenges but tackle them in a new, creative way.

Professional Development

When writing your CV, include all of the relevant components that showcase qualifications and professional development. As an extra section, professional development helps you summarise all of the activities you have undertaken that help you become more qualified for a position.

Adding a professional development section to your resume can help employers evaluate your dedication and professionalism.

Publications and Projects

Publications are a great extra section that showcases your work, such as research published in a journal. It’s also essential to talk about important projects you have participated in and showcase your talent. By providing relevant information, you can improve the quality of your job application.

Languages

Adding a language section is a great idea if you speak more than one language, which can benefit the hiring organisation. The ability to speak, write or read multiple languages offers a range of professional opportunities and can help you stand out to the recruiters. Also, explaining the level of fluency is another way to enhance your communication skills.

Achievements

Listing your professional achievements is crucial in presenting your ability to use your relevant skills and experience to get the best results. The achievements can be specific awards or projects, showing the employer you are dedicated, devoted and hard-working, always aiming to get the best results.

Crafting Compelling Extra Sections

Crafting compelling extra sections is a key step when applying for jobs. Regardless of where you are on your career path, organising your sections allows for a more visible, clear and concise resume that can easily catch the recruiter’s attention. Also, choosing the correct CV format and sections most relevant to the jobs can help you look more professional and show the hiring managers that you are the right fit.

Additionally, the focus will be put on your skills and accomplishments. The best CV and resume format lists your relevant experience in reverse chronological order by highlighting the important skills acquired in every position. Check for the job advert for the role you are applying for so you can craft your resume accordingly.

Dos and Don’ts for Extra Sections

Although some people are tempted to add everything to a resume, there is a chance of including too much information. It’s important to mention your work history, resume summary, soft skills, and hard skills and to include an education section. Interviewers and hiring managers go through hundreds of resumes daily, and some CVs go through applicant tracking systems, so having a concise resume is essential. Another good idea is to include a CV personal statement where you will briefly explain your previous experiences and key skills.

When applying for multiple job roles, it is essential to tailor the resume to each. Sometimes, even changing the structure and adding other extra sections relevant to the job title can help you during the recruitment process.

Your career is something that you worked hard for, so make sure to always take credit for your achievements and accomplishments and adapt your CV for the modern market. Your resume is your best chance to make an impression on hiring managers, so always take advantage of action verbs and adjectives that showcase why you are the right fit for the job.

Olive Recruit Appreciates Masterfully Crafted CVs

In today’s highly competitive job market, the importance of a well-crafted resume can’t be overstated. Your CV is your first impression on employers, shaping their opinion of your qualifications and experience.

Olive Recruit can help you craft a tailored resume and cover letter. We understand the importance of having a well-crafted CV to increase your chances of standing out from other candidates. Additionally, we can help you craft a resume by guiding you through choosing what to include in a CV and what to write in your CV summary.

If you need help creating your resume or finding your dream job, contact us today for more information.