Your curriculum vitae is a prospective employer's first impression of you, so it's essential to make it count.

You see, recruiters spend an average of just 7.4 seconds reviewing a CV before deciding whether the candidate is a good fit for the role.

That doesn't exactly leave much time for you to make a great impression, does it?

As you embark on your cloud computing career, it's crucial to have a winning CV showcasing your skills and experiences and making the most of those 7 seconds.

And that's what we're helping you with today.

With our recruiter-tested CV writing tips and tricks, you'll learn how to create a professional, attention-grabbing CV to help you stand out from the crowd. 

Let's get started.

12 CV writing tips to help you land your dream cloud job.

Your CV could seriously make or break your cloud computing career. When you're up against hundreds of talented candidates, you must do everything possible to get your CV to the top of the pile.

Here are our 12 essential CV writing tips to help you get there.

#1 Place your job title & contact details at the top

Your CV should begin with your full name, phone number, and email address. Make sure that your contact details are up-to-date and easy to find.

You can also include a professional title such as "Cloud Computing Professional" or "Cloud Solutions Architect" to give prospective employers an immediate idea of your expertise.

#2 Tailor your CV to the job description

According to a survey by CareerBuilder, 48% of hiring managers said they would automatically reject a CV or cover letter that isn't customised for the open role.

So, when you write a CV, it's essential to tailor it to the job description. Look for keywords in the job advert or description that match your skills and experiences, and make sure to highlight these in your CV (without going overboard!)

This will show the prospective employer you have exactly what they are looking for and increase your chances of getting an interview.

#3 Include a personal statement

A personal statement is a brief summary of your relevant skills, experiences, career goals, and what prompted your job search. You should include it at the beginning of your CV and make sure it's at most two or three sentences.

A well-written and engaging personal statement can make your CV stand out and give prospective employers an immediate idea of your expertise.

#4 Highlight your relevant responsibilities

Be sure to highlight any key responsibilities you have had in previous roles relevant to the cloud computing job you are applying for. 

Only talk about responsibilities that you think your potential employer will care about. Review the job description to ensure each responsibility you list makes sense for the role.

#5 Focus on your key skills

When writing your CV, make sure to highlight the key skills that are the most relevant to the cloud job you're applying for.

Use bullet points to list your skills (especially technical ones like "database management") and provide specific examples of how you have used these skills in your work history.

You can also incorporate your skills into your personal statement or cover letter to show the employer that you have exactly what they're looking for.

#6 Use a clear and concise format

According to a study by The Ladders, the lowest-performing CVs were cluttered with little white space, had a poor layout, and were stuffed with keywords.

So, try to make sure your CV is easy to read and navigate. Use a clear and concise format, with sections separated by headings, and use bullet points to make information stand out.

You should also use a font that is easy to read, like Arial or Times New Roman, and ensure that your CV is no longer than two pages.

#7 Use reverse chronological order

Be sure to list your work and education history in reverse chronological order, with your most recent experiences listed first.

This CV format makes it easy for prospective employers to see your most recent experiences and qualifications and ensures that your CV is easy to scan through.

#8 Highlight your personal qualities

When you write a CV, remember to highlight your personal qualities and soft skills. With company culture mattering more than ever, your potential employer will want to know if your personality will fit in.

Hiring managers are often looking for cloud candidates who have a positive attitude, are team players, and are able to work independently.

Include examples of how you have demonstrated these qualities in previous roles, and explain how they have helped you to succeed.

#9 Highlight your cloud qualifications

If you have completed any cloud training courses or have professional cloud certifications or other qualifications relevant to your cloud computing career, highlight these in your CV.

This will show prospective employers that you are committed to your cloud computing career and have taken steps to improve your skills and knowledge.

Want more tips to level up your cloud career? Check out our previous blog, "Cloud certifications employers want in 2023 and how to get them."

#10 Include a cover letter

A compelling cover letter can help you differentiate yourself from the competition and give you an immediate leg up before your recruiter even reads your CV.

Do some background research on the company and use your cover letter to highlight your most relevant experiences and skills and explain why you'd be an asset to the company. 

For more tips on how to write a cover letter that helps you stand out from the crowd, read our blog “How to write a cover letter”.

#11 Keep it concise

Employers don't have the time to read through pages and pages of your CV, so it's important to keep it concise.

A good CV is usually no more than two pages, so keep things short and sweet while using clear and concise language. Also ensure you use bullet points to break up large blocks of text and make it easier to read.

#12 Proofread, then proofread again

49% of hiring managers said they would immediately reject a CV or cover letter with spelling or grammatical errors. So, take the time to read through your CV carefully, checking for errors and ensuring that the layout is easy to read.

Consider asking a friend or family member to read through your CV, as they may spot errors you missed.

Let us help you navigate your cloud career.

By incorporating these tips into your CV writing, you can create a strong, unique, and effective profile that will help you accelerate your career and increase your chances of getting that dream job. 

Looking for expert CV advice and support for your cloud career journey? At RED Global, we know the cloud - better than anyone else. 

Our cloud recruitment consultants have the in-depth experience and knowledge to help you land exciting roles at some of the world's most renowned companies. 

Register with RED to get started.