12 Jan How to write a CV: 5 tips
A CV is one of the most determining elements of an application. Just list your studies, your professional experiences, and interests… Right?
Of course, the answer is no.
First, each part of a CV must be carefully elaborated, organised intelligently and adapted to each job offer. But that is not all. There is a lot of competition, so it is important to stand out from others.
Follow these 5 tips on how to write your CV brought to you by our Career experts.
1 – Write a CV with the right keywords and colours
Your CV must be adapted to the job offer. For this reason, it is important to read very carefully the position you are applying for. Write down the most important information along with the keywords you will then write in the CV (if you obviously have the required experience).
It must be clear, and well-structured so that your information is easily readable. Further, try to write it on one page.
As regards the colours, a black and white resume may seem like a safe choice, but if you prefer having a CV with some colour don’t forget about its readability. Avoid bright colours or too many colours at once. Recruiters prefer simple resumes that use one or two colours that fit well.
2 – Measure your results rather than listing your experiences
Your professional experiences are certainly important, but remember to tell which results you achieved during your past assignments. Try to have quantifiable results: they will give more weight to your application.
If you don’t have some exact results, you can use approximations. However, do not overdo it! Your future employer may decide to contact one of your former employers or references.
3 – Summer jobs and internships: small experiences also count
Being very young doesn’t justify not having a lot of professional experience. Many people in fact forget to list their summer jobs or the internships they had in the past.
Volunteering experiences are also very important both because they show that you are attentive to others and because you will surely have learned many things from that experience.
4 – Embed a link to your LinkedIn profile
Very few people embed a link to their LinkedIn profile in their CVs. Your LinkedIn profile is a great resource for the recruiter: he/she can understand a little more about you, learn who wrote for you a recommendation, see what you post and which topic you find more interesting.
Of course, only link your LinkedIn profile if it’s optimised and up to date!
5 – Avoid spelling mistakes and too personal information
One of the fastest ways to get your application rejected is to submit a CV with typos or grammar errors. It means you are not paying enough attention to detail or that you are too lazy to review your work.
Ask someone to re-read your CV, not only for errors but also to check if it flows.
Further, avoid too much personal information related to your private or family life. No date of birth, no religion, no marital status, etc.