Have you filled in all the important parts of your CV? Great! Then it's time for the cherry on top, the finishing touches, the final check!
General
- See through the eyes of a recruiter
- Initial selection takes seconds or through ATS (robot selection)
- Use 'keywords' from the job description
- Focus on your talents/competencies/experiences
- Your CV should make them think: "We want to talk to this person"
- Stand out, go for colour
- Clear headings, not too small font
- Maximum 2 pages
Photo
- Not mandatory, but more personal
- Ensure a businesslike, professional photo in interview attire
- No holiday snapshots, passport photos, or with sunglasses and a drink in hand at the BBQ
- Smiling is always allowed!
Personal details
- First and last name
- Date of birth
- Place of residence
- Mobile phone number
- Email address (simple, like a combination of initial and surname)
- Link to LinkedIn profile
Profile
- Short text at the top of your CV
- Present yourself in the first person and be personal: Who are you, what do you do, what drives you, what sets you apart from others, what makes you unique, what are you looking for in a job, what are your talents and qualities? Or make the connection to 'what others say about you...'
- Maximum 5 sentences
Work experience
- List most recent relevant work experience first (from new to old)
- Only note the years
- Summarise work experience from a long time ago (< 10 years)
- Name of employer/company as it is currently known, possibly with a description of what the company does, include the logo
- Job title, use the common name in your field (does not have to be the same as the job title in your contract)
- Tasks in a bullet list of up to 8 sentences, be brief and to the point, mention results, percentages, and successes
- Highlight projects
Education
- List the (relevant) education with the years
- Note the name of the educational institution (as it is currently known)
- Indicate whether you have obtained the diploma or certificate
Side activities/volunteer work/sport/hobbies
- Determine the relevance. Does it contribute to the screening in a few seconds?
- Does it say something about your personality? Note it!
- A sport can be inviting, employers often find vitality important!
Skills
Determine if it is important for the position you are applying for, and if so, note for example:
- Language proficiency
- Computer skills (types of programs)
- Driving licence
- Other
References
These are recommendations from colleagues or supervisors. Do not include them on the CV. Employers are not allowed to request references without your permission.
Tip
Ensure your CV is well-suited to the job you are applying for. Look at the job description and use relevant words. Clearly demonstrate the skills and experiences you have that match the job. This way, your CV stands out to employers, and you have a better chance of being invited for an interview.