In this blog we guide you step by step in creating a powerful CV. You will get practical tips & tricks from our recruiter Dieka that will help you in your search for a new opportunity. A good CV can set you apart from other candidates and make you stand out to employers. Follow these tips and prepare your CV for a successful job application!
This step-by-step plan will help you create a complete CV that gives employers a clear picture of your skills and experience. A well-structured resume clearly displays your education, work experience, skills and accomplishments, making you stand out and increasing your chances of finding a new job.
- Personal information: Start with your basic information: name, address, phone number, e-mail address and date of birth. Also include a recent, professional photo. This is not a must, but this will give employers an instant impression of you.
- Personal Profile: Start with a short profile description of 3-4 sentences telling something about yourself. Here you can summarize your key skills, ambitions and values to a potential employer. This gives recruiters an immediate impression of who you are and what you have to offer.
- Skills: List skills that are specifically relevant to the position you are applying for. In addition, list the languages you are proficient in and your level of proficiency. This demonstrates that your qualities match the job requirements. Don't forget to also name some important soft skills, such as collaboration or leadership, that are appropriate for the position.
- Education: Clearly state your educational background, starting with the level and orientation of your most recent degree and then going back in chronological order to previous degrees. List the year you started your education and your (expected) graduation date. This helps employers quickly assess your educational level and relevance.
- Work experience: show what you have accomplished! Start with your current employer and include the job title, the company and location, your start date (year AND month) and any date of departure, and a brief description of your duties and responsibilities. Whenever possible, try to include figures and results to make your achievements concrete, such as “Increased sales by 20% in six months” or “ In charge of a team of 5 employees.” A structured listing of your work experience helps employers assess your expertise and added value.
For starters: be sure to include side jobs that may not be directly relevant to your future job! This shows that you have gained early professional experience alongside your studies. Once you have accumulated a year of relevant work experience, you can omit these side jobs (unless they are relevant to your job), as they become less relevant.
- Volunteering / Side Activities: If you have relevant volunteer work or side activities, add these as well. Especially for starters, this can help show additional experience and commitment.
- Last Check: Make sure your resume is always arranged from most relevant to least relevant. So: work experience over education and from most recent to least recent events. Have your resume reviewed for feedback and to iron out minor errors. Use active verbs such as “achieved,” “improved,” and “led” to describe your experience more powerfully. Ensure consistent formatting and style, such as bold titles and bullet points, to give your resume a professional look. Don't forget to use relevant keywords in your resume so that you are more visible in digital screening systems and your resume gets noticed by employers.
Curious about what else we can do for you? Then feel free to contact me or check out our vacancies.