So, its been a whirlwind of a year and I am sure many of you have had internships, summer schools, semesters abroad, and everything in between canceled words to COVID-19. I, therefore, thought it would be useful to put together a list of things you can do during this time to better your CV.
- Virtual/Remote Internship or Work
Although your internship may have been canceled there are still lots of companies looking for people who can work remotely. This is a great way to show employers that you have been able to adapt your job search to the current situation and been proactive in your search.
Even though you aren’t going into the office you will still gain valuable skills whilst working from home and it will help you gain experience in the sector in which you want to work.
You can find some current vacancies here.
- Google Analytics Course
Google Analytics is an extremely useful tool in which many jobs will require you to use and understand.
Google Analytics offers a free training course where you have rewarded a certificate after completion. This is great to have on your CV as although many people may claim to be an expert at Google Analytics if you have a certificate to support it, it will help you stand out from the other applicants.
- LinkedIn Courses/Build your Network
LinkedIn is a great way to build your network. You can connect with people in the same industry as you or use it to connect with people who are in the position you want to get to. It is a great place to reach out to others for advice, whether it is for work experience, a job, or asking them how they got to where they are and what they wish they had known.
LinkedIn also has a learning platform where they offer hundreds of different courses and on completion, you are given a certificate. This is another great way to show employers that you are keen to learn and have used your own time to learn new skills and qualities which will be of value in your future career.
- Learn a Language
If an employer sees a language on your cv it immediately indicates that you are bright, capable, and skilled at communication. And knowing more than one language is a great way to make your CV shine, even if you aren’t fully fluent you can still add onto your CV that you have a basic knowledge (obviously don’t lie and say you have knowledge if you can only say a few words).
There are now multiple apps that help you learn new languages, my personal favorite being Duolingo, and using other methods like listening to podcasts in another language or watching my favorite Netflix show in a different language with subtitles. These are both good ways to make the language more familiar.
This blog explains in more detail ways to learn a language.
- Societies
If you are heading back to university it is great to get involved in societies, whether its a sporting one, an academic, or religious one, whatever it is they look great on your CV. They are a good way to show employers that you’re involved at university as well as developing key skills like communication, leadership, and teamwork.
It is also a good opportunity to try and get a position in a society, it looks amazing on your CV and is a great way to show that you have had experience in organizing people and dealing with responsibility.
- Part-time Work
I know the job market is crazy at the minute, but if you can, getting a part-time job is a great thing to have on your CV. It shows employees that you have good time management skills, a good work ethic, and also that you have great organization skills if you can balance a part-time job alongside university and of course it’s always useful to have a bit of extra money! However, this is not an option for everyone, and never prioritize a part-time job over your degree!
- Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to help make your CV stand out. It gives employers an insight into your personality and shows them that you have a social conscience and want to improve society. It is good to find something you feel passionate about, whether it is working for a certain charity at a charity shop, a museum, or working at a food bank.
So, in summary, there is no excuse for blaming COVID-19 for ruining your CV. Although it is still annoying that your internships, study abroad, or whatever else it was, has been canceled there are still multiple things you can work on from your bed that will make your CV stand out!
