Elizabeth Openshaw .jpg)
Learn how to do a CV on your phone, and send it, when you're on the go
Mobile phones are ubiquitous nowadays. We can do almost anything on them. So why not a CV? Know how to do a CV on your phone and never again miss an opportunity to send a last-minute application for a job you saw while browsing on the go.
How to do a CV on your phone
You can make – and send – a CV on your phone, regardless of whether it's an iPhone or Android. While it might not be the most ideal way of applying for a role, if that deadline is looming, and you need to act fast, then this is the best option available to you.
Follow these 3 simple steps on how to do a CV on your phone:
1. Install a document-processing app
If you're wondering which app you can use to draft your CV, your primary options on a mobile are Google Docs (which is free) and Microsoft Word (which you have to pay for).
Word has some plus points if you're writing a CV on your mobile. Not only does it show the document in mobile view when you're typing, it also has a print layout view so that you can see exactly how a hiring manager would see your CV when attached to an email. This is really important, as you don't want the CV to arrive at the other end all messy and unformatted.
Alternatively, if you're just making good use of your time on your daily commute, and intend to polish your CV on your laptop or PC when you get home, you can use a notes app like Google Keep or Microsoft OneNote to initially capture the contents of your CV. These will sync with your laptop or PC, making it easier to transfer and format the information later on.
2. Type out your CV on the app – or use a CV template
A CV contains five essential sections, so make sure to include the ones listed below, at the very least. There are other sections you can add, if relevant, but as long as you include these five, you can't go far wrong:
-
Contact details – ensure they are accurate and at the top of the CV, nestled just under your name
-
Professional profile – this is the first part of the CV that a recruiting manager will read, so make sure it's impactful and written succinctly
-
Key skills – vital to getting you on the “yes” pile, your skills must be listed in an easily readable manner
-
Employment history – detail your career from the last 10-12 years, listing older jobs in an “Earlier Career Summary” section
-
Education and qualifications - there's no need to include GCSE results or A Levels if you have a degree
While you can type these out on your mobile phone, you'll then have to format the document, which can be difficult on such a small screen. To make this a bit easier, we would recommend creating or downloading a CV template that's pre-formatted beforehand, then opening it up in your writing app for amendment.
Top tip: If you're planning to send off multiple applications from your phone, remember to tailor your CV each time.
3. Name your file appropriately
Even though you're crafting a CV on a mobile, and you might be in a hurry, don't forget to use a professional file name. One way of structuring it is as “firstname_lastname_CV” or “firstname_lastname_CV_vacancyjobtitle” so a hiring manager can easily see who the CV belongs to and which job it relates to.
Top tip: Rather than using “CV draft,” name your file clearly right from the start to avoid accidentally sending an unprofessionally named CV, especially when you're in a hurry.
How to email a CV from your phone
Of course, learning how to do a CV on your phone goes hand in hand with knowing how to send your application on the go.
When sending your CV, it's best to upload the document as an attachment, instead of a shareable link, to avoid any access issues. Here's how to prepare your CV as a document attachment and email it from your phone as part of your application.
Emailing your CV from the Google Docs app
If you've created your CV using the Google Docs app, here's how to email it from your mobile device:
-
Open your Google Docs app
-
Click the three dots next to the file name
-
Select “Send a copy,” and choose Word (.docx) or PDF
-
When the sharing window / tab appears, select your email app and a new email will open with your CV attached
-
Compose your email, check the CV attachment, and tap the “Send” icon
Emailing your CV from the Microsoft Word app
If you've created your CV using the Microsoft Word app, here's how to email it from your device:
-
Open your Microsoft Word app
-
Click the three dots next to the file name
-
Select “Share,” then tap “Send a copy”
-
When the sharing window / tab appears, select your email app and a new email will open with your CV attached
-
Compose your email, check the CV attachment, and tap the “Send” icon
While sending your CV as a Word file is currently the best recommendation (and it's obviously the default format in this app), you can also choose to send your CV as a PDF file. Here's how to export the CV as a PDF file from the Microsoft Word app:
-
Open the file on the Microsoft Word app
-
Tap the three dots on the upper-right corner of the screen
-
Tap “Export,” then select “PDF (*.pdf)”
-
Store the PDF file on your phone
Top tip: Write your cover letter in the body copy of your email, stating that your CV is attached.
How to upload a CV on your phone
Already have a CV on your laptop and just need to make it accessible on your phone for those last-minute edits on the road?
If you're using an Apple device, you can simply use the AirDrop function to share and save your CV on your mobile phone. Remember though that you'll still need to have a document-processing app, like Google Docs or Microsoft Word, on your device to make edits to your CV later on.
You can also upload your CV online or in the cloud to make it accessible anytime and anywhere from your phone. You can do this on your laptop or PC by:
-
Uploading your CV to your Google Drive as a Google Docs file – this is ideal if you intend to use the Google Docs app on your phone to edit and email your CV
-
Saving your CV as a Word file in your OneDrive account – this is ideal if you intend to use the Microsoft Word app on your phone to edit and email your CV
-
Emailing your CV to yourself or saving it in your email drafts – remember that you'll still need the Microsoft Word app on your phone if you intend to edit the file before sending
Final checks
Before sending your email to the hiring manager, don't forget to proofread your CV. Additionally, send a test email to yourself first to check for any glitches. You can then fix these errors before sending the real deal.
That's it – you've now figured out how to do a CV on your phone. Excellent! Now, let that CV earn you an interview!
If time is on your side, and doing a CV on your phone seems a little too fiddly, why not contact a professional CV writing service that will do the heavy lifting for you?
This article was originally written by Laura Slingo and has been updated by Elizabeth Openshaw.