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Everything about the CV
New Career

How to create a stunning CV (a professional resume)

How to Prepare a CV (Resume)? How to Use Pre-made CV Templates? How Should We Organize Our CV, and What Structure Is Best When Applying for a Job? Do I Need to Change My CV Every Time I Submit It for a Job Application?

All of these questions are ones we’ve asked ourselves or continue to consider when applying for a job, especially if we haven't made a career change in a while. As professionals who read CVs all day and filter through key information, we’ll try to give brief answers to these questions, as well as guidance for creating an impressive CV.

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Creating an Impressive CV

(Curriculum Vitae or resume) plays a crucial role in job hunting. A well-crafted resume can be decisive in advancing through the selection process and can open many opportunities for career growth. Here are some key tips for structuring your CV

10 tips for creating an effective CV

 

1. Use a Clear and Clean CV Design/Template

You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression, so go for a professional and organized layout for your CV. Avoid cluttered templates, complex graphics, and bright colors. They can be distracting and make it hard for the reader to navigate the document and focus on the key information. Use a readable font (like Arial, Calibri, Verdana, or Times New Roman) and avoid excessive use of text styles and effects (bold, italics, shadows, glow, etc.), as these don’t look professional and can hinder readability.

2. Start with Your Contact Information – It Should Be Complete and Up-to-Date

  • Full name
  • Phone number – it must be your number, not your mother’s, spouse’s, or friend’s. Your future employer doesn’t have much time, and it’s important for them to be able to reach you quickly and easily.
  • Email address – use an email that you check regularly. You wouldn’t want to miss a message from your dream employer, right?
  • Current location (city), you can mention it if you’re willing to relocate (only if you genuinely mean it).
  • LinkedIn profile (if you have one).
  • Photo – add a professional photo. This helps create a subconscious connection with the person reading your CV. They perceive your resume as a tool for introduction, not just a dull, impersonal piece of paper. Make sure to choose an appropriate photo. Casual photos like hugging friends, at a party, turned 90 degrees, or in swimwear might be perfect for social media, but not for a professional setting. Think about how you want to be perceived by your potential employer. After all, the CV is an official document, and your photo should be suitable for such.
  • You may also include your age and address if desired.

3. Start with a Brief Professional Summary

Write a short summary of your skills and experience so far, focusing on the most important achievements and qualities that make you suitable for the specific position. The summary should be concise – no more than 3-4 sentences. Write it yourself, avoid templates and clichés, and strive to be specific. Be honest and don’t exaggerate. Be prepared to defend every word in your summary during a personal conversation with a potential employer.

Example: "Marketing professional with over 5 years of proven experience working in a digital environment – developing advertising campaigns and managing social media. Skilled in building and implementing successful marketing strategies that increase revenue and enhance brand presence."

If you have little or no experience, briefly state your professional goals, motivations for applying for this position, and your ambitions.

4. Highlight Your Most Significant Professional Skills

In clearly structured sections, list the key skills relevant to the job you’re applying for. Organize the information in a way that is easy to read and understand (you can use bullet points or other formatting options, but avoid numbering them, as it may seem like ranking skills). Describe both your technical skills (working with different programs, apps, and tools) and personal skills (communication, leadership, negotiation, etc.).

Be careful about what you describe – be honest and ready to explain with examples how and where you developed each skill. We’ve had cases where candidates claimed to be detail-oriented, but spelling and punctuation mistakes in their CVs proved the opposite.

5. List Your Work Experience in Chronological Order

  • In the work experience section, list your positions starting with the most recent one. For each position, include:
  • Company name
  • Period of employment (month, year – month, year)
  • Job title
  • A brief description of your main duties and achievements. Focus on real activities (don’t just copy the job description), and if possible, on the results you achieved. Use action verbs like "achieved," "improved," "managed," "developed" to highlight your activity.

6. Education – Also in Chronological Order, Starting with the Most Recent

  • Make sure to include information about your education, especially if it’s relevant to the role you’re applying for. Mention:
  • Dates (you can just list the year)
  • Degrees obtained
  • Major or course you completed
  • Name of the institution, city

There’s no need to list all the subjects you studied, unless they are highly specific to the job you’re applying for.

7. Add a Section for Additional Qualifications and Certificates

If you have additional qualifications, courses, training, or certifications relevant to the position, make sure to include them. This shows that you are active and interested in developing your skills.

8. Tailor Your CV for Each Specific Position

Don’t send the same CV for every job you apply to. Get familiar with the company and its values. Carefully review the job description in the advertisement and adapt the information about yourself so that it emphasizes the skills and expertise you possess that are required for the specific job. Identify key words in the ad and use them. Highlight values that align with the company’s and that you believe in.

Example: If the company conducts charitable initiatives, you could describe your volunteer activities or participation in charitable campaigns if applicable.

9. Grammar and Spelling Are Crucial!

Mistakes in grammar and spelling leave a bad impression. We understand that people make mistakes, which is why we recommend reading and carefully proofreading your document before saving and using it. This is a key point that shows attention to detail. Read it several times or ask someone else to check it. This way, you can also get feedback on whether the content and formatting are clear and easy to read.

10. Your CV Should Be Short and Clear

The full length of the CV should ideally not exceed 2 pages unless it’s for a more specific position that requires extensive experience and a detailed description of the projects you’ve worked on. The information should be clear and to the point. Employers usually scan CVs in seconds, so make sure to grab their attention and guide them to the important information at first glance.

Conclusion

Creating a memorable CV requires attention to detail, a good understanding of the role you’re applying for, and a clear presentation of your skills and experience. By following the tips above, you will increase your chances of impressing potential employers and getting the desired interview.

Good luck with your application!

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