Your CV is an important document, and in many cases, your CV will also be the first impression you give to a potential new employer. After 26 years in the industry, we have seen many CVs over the years. Here we have gathered our best tips on how to create a good CV.
1. Have good structure
Ensure your CV appears neat and use in reverse Chronological order.
Regarding education and work experience, it is important to include the name of the school or employer, the degree, course of study, or position you held, and the time period this covers.
Please state the period with month and year.
Include a clear overview of tasks, responsibilities, and any results achieved in the position.
Choose a clear layout, use headings and a simple font. There are many good templates online that can be used for inspiration.
2. Provide personal details
Name, date of birth, address, email and mobile number must be included in the CV, and should appear early and clearly.
You can also include a link to your LinkedIn profile; remember that your profile should be updated accordingly.
3. Include a picture of yourself
Using a photo on your CV will make you stand out more in the pile, and the recruiter will find it easier to remember you.
Ensure you use a picture that portrays you professionally, as you wish to be perceived by employers.
The image should not include other people than yourself.
4. Be critical and thorough
Stick to fact-based information, and be mindful of typos and awkward phrasing.
Remember that a good CV is no longer than 2 pages. If your CV is longer than this, you might benefit from trying to be more brief and concise.
5. Tailor your CV to the job you are applying for
Not all experiences you've had will be equally relevant to the position you're applying for, so prioritise which information you elaborate on in your CV. Read the job description carefully. If you have performed any of the tasks listed in the job description, it's particularly important to include this.
Consider which courses, positions, or certifications are relevant And what professional weight they have. If you have a long CV, you can drop courses that are not relevant to the position.
PRO TIPS:
A good tip is to have a «master CV», which is a detailed overview of all your education, work experience, projects, courses, positions held, etc. When you apply for a new position, you create a tailored CV by selecting what is relevant for the role from your «master CV». Update this document often, so you don't have to «reinvent the wheel» every time you apply for a job.
6. Include language skills and IT skills
Language proficiency is an important skill that employers are keen on. Please state which languages you know, and also indicate the level you are at.
Many employers will see it as an advantage if you have experience with the IT systems the company uses, and often good IT skills are a prerequisite for succeeding in the role in question. Therefore, it is important that you state which IT systems you have experience with, as well as your level of proficiency.
