Tips for making your CV stand out
Your CV is one of the most important tools at your disposal when applying for a job, and it’s important to make sure you have it right. It should be concise and clear, and should accurately reflect your skills and experience. When putting together your CV, there are certain things you should, and should not, include. It is critical to make sure you include the right details to make your CV stand out, and to avoid putting in irrelevant information which could detract from your success. Knowing what is important, and what is not, will help ensure your CV is the best it can be.
Give your CV a title
Your CV is your best passport to employment, so it is important to give it a one-line title. Moreover, it is a simple way to indicate which position you are applying for when you apply spontaneously or respond to a job ad. In this case, don’t hesitate to use the title of the job offer.
Don’t forget to specify your interests
You may not be the only one who wants to join the company. These side activities are becoming more and more popular according to many articles and can be a good way to get a glimpse of your personality. Certain interests can tell you that you are an open-minded person, that teamwork is not a hindrance or that you are the persevering type!
Use a resume builder
By doing a simple Google search, you’ll find a wide range of CV examples and websites offering you to create a design CV on the internet. Choose your favorite template among those proposed, add your information and insert your photo : it’s done! On top of that, if you are looking for a designed resume tailored for students, by using a resume builder, you will be able to find an original and modern cv template for student without any particular graphic knowledge!
Keep it simple and succinct
Keep your CV simple, sober and readable, unless you if you are applying for a creative or marketing position. Forget about typography and fonts that are too original and use colors sparingly. Keep the same font and remember to align your text.
You must fit your entire curriculum vitae on an A4 sheet of paper. It is therefore essential to remain synthetic. According to numerous studies, recruiters do not spend more than one minute reading a CV, so it must be attractive and the most important information must catch their attention at first glance!
Attach your resume to a cover letter
Although the cover letter is increasingly questioned in new recruitment methods, favour a classic approach with a CV + cover letter personalized to the company. It is a complementary document to the CV that will help you convince them that you are the person they are looking for to fill THE position in question!
Think about the PDF format
You’ve finished writing your CV. Forget about strange formats and Word documents that may be unreadable if your interviewer does not have the same version of the software as you. To be sure that your document can be opened and read on all computers, save it in PDF format with your name in the file title.
Don’t forget to print your CV for your interviews
When preparing for a job interview, consider printing several copies of your CV on paper and bringing them with you on the big day. During the interview, the recruitment officer will be able to recall your profile and make a few annotations as you talk. Moreover, you will be seen as a serious and organized candidate!
