An essential business card when looking for a job, a well-organized and personalized CV will certainly increase your chances of getting a job interview. But how to write a “good” CV? Do you have to fill in all the sections? And what are the particular elements that can make the difference in the eyes of a recruiter? Here are some tips to help you write your CV.
1. Be concise
For young graduates or those who have little professional experience, it is important to limit the CV to one page. On the other hand, if you have held several positions or known different employers, two or even three pages are tolerated. Depending on the type of position you are applying for, when you create a cv, select only the most important skills and experience. Keep in mind that your resume will be read in seconds, so highlight the most relevant information.
2. Keep it simple
Having an original CV can help you stand out from the crowd, but this exercise should be handled with care. If you’re not sure how to present your document, it’s best to keep it classic. You can download simple and effective resume layouts from dedicated sites.
3. Choose a clear title
Avoid long-winded job titles. Choose a clear title that corresponds to your professional background, but also to the one indicated on your LinkedIn profile. You can also adapt your title to the targeted position to capture the recruiter’s attention.
4. Eliminate (overly) personal information
To avoid discrimination, we recommend that you do not indicate your age or date of birth, your nationality or your family situation (number of children, marital status, etc.). In addition, you are under no obligation to mention your address or to include a photo on your CV. As these elements do not provide additional information on the candidate’s skills, they are not mandatory. Only your name, first name and e-mail address and/or telephone number should be mentioned to facilitate contact. Depending on the sector of activity, it may be useful to indicate that you have one or more driving licenses.
5. Add a summary
It’s not always easy to sell yourself, but know that this small effort will be of the most beautiful effect in the eyes of recruiters. Make a kind of summary by writing 2 to 3 lines of presentation and emphasizing your background and your personality. Also add information such as availability and the position you are looking for. This will be even more important if you put your CV in a CV library. The key is to show what your added value to the company would be if you were hired!
6. Think about proofreading
Spelling is not to be taken lightly when you are looking for a job. To avoid having your application rejected prematurely, take the time to read and reread your CV several times. Do so with the help of an indispensable dictionary to make sure you have eliminated all spelling, conjugation and grammar errors.
If you are not comfortable with English, there are proofreading tools that can help you spot typos more easily. You can also ask someone close to you to check the spelling. A fresh set of eyes will be more likely to see typos and carelessness.