How to write a good CV?
The role of CVs in job search is enormous, but unfortunately we often underestimate it. A CV is our first contact with an employer and often a badly written CV often eliminates us at the very beginning. So how to write a good CV What mistakes to avoid?
It is very important to adjust our CV to the position for which we are applying. When preparing a CV, we should highlight those experiences and skills that are relevant to the chosen position.
Start writing your CV by giving your personal details:
- name and surname
- current phone number
- email address
- place of residence
- date of birth
- driving license
In addition to your name, add a header with the name of your current position. You can also place your photo but it not required. However, it captures recruiters’ attention and it increases chances of remembering you. The picture on your CV should be professional, so it is better not to place a selfie or a holiday photo…
In the CV section with your contact details you must provide your telephone number and e-mail address. Avoid funny private addresses, it is not very professional.
Remember that you do not need to state your gender, marital status or home address in your CV unless your employer has clearly stated such a requirement in the advertisement for which you are applying.
Employment history
Professional experience is probably the most important section. Here, you have to write down the exact start and end dates of your employment history, the name of your company with address, your position and responsibilities. It is also not necessary to list all jobs – especially if you have only worked for a few weeks. Moreover, a reversed chronology of events is most often used in a CV. We should start with a description of the latest, most recent professional experience for example:
Educational history
When writing the CV Education section, you do not have to write too much about your education. All you need to do is state your years of study, the name of your university and faculty, your field of study and your degree. If you have not studied, describe your high school or vocational school.
Interests:
The description of your interests in the CV is an opportunity for you to stand out from other candidates. Leaving it blank is not a good solution. You can, for example, extend the column with a specific film genre, instead of simply writing “film”. The employer will always pay more attention to people with passions and diverse interests.
Credentials
It is useful to provide the telephone number, first name and surname of your previous employer or supervisor to give a recommendation. This will probably speed up the recruitment process. If you have a written reference, simply attach it.
Skills
Putting knowledge and skills on your CV is certainly a good idea. But remember to make it distinctive. Mention, for example, things which you have mastered or languages that you speak.
How long should a CV be?
It was accepted that a CV should take up roughly one A4 page. On the other hand, it is better to include relevant information and take up two pages, rather than forcefully widening the margins and reducing the font to press all the content onto one page. A CV that is too long can be regarded as lengthy and dull.
CV’s format
A professional file name of the CV should include the name of the candidate. The CV file should be saved in pdf format. By sending you CV in pdf you will be sure that your employer will see exactly the document you sent. You do not have to worry about what program it will be displayed in.