At some point in their lives, everyone faces the task necessary in today's recruitment processes - creating a professional CV. The question arises: what should a "good" CV look like? The answer is clear: a professional CV is one that contains all the necessary recruitment information, tailored to the position for which we are applying, and presents the candidacy in the most accessible form.
Information to be included in a professional CV:
- Personal information - including your full name, date of birth, address, current phone number, and current email address.
- Education - this section should include information about all the most important schools you have attended. For each school or higher education institution, provide its name, the period of attendance, and the degree obtained. Use reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent educational experiences and moving backward. You can mention high school or technical school if you had any specific achievements there, if it was a prestigious institution, or if you obtained practical vocational qualifications after completing it.
- Work experience - when listing your work experience, follow the same approach as with education: use reverse chronological order, provide dates, company names, positions held, and responsibilities. Include all places of employment, including freelance work, contracts, and temporary jobs, as the duties you performed might be relevant for the position you're applying for.
- Courses and training - follow a logical order for listing courses and training, using reverse chronological order. Include the year of participation, course/training name, and the name of the training provider.
- Other experience - in this section, you can include information about any additional experiences that are useful for the new position and not related to professional work. This might include involvement in student organizations, NGOs, volunteering, local government, etc. You can also mention any special achievements (scholarships, awards, honors).
- Skills - this section should include practical skills you possess, such as computer proficiency (specific software programs), driver's license, basic language skills, including any certificates or proof of language proficiency, and other exceptional abilities relevant to the position you're applying for.
- Hobbies - at the end, provide information about your hobbies, passions, and favorite ways to spend your free time. Be specific - if you're interested in sports, specify the type of sport; if you mention movies or books, include the genre. These seemingly small details might be valuable to a future employer.
What to avoid when creating a CV? Common mistakes:
- Inappropriate photo - seemingly obvious, yet one of the most frequently made mistakes in CV construction. A suitable photo for a CV is a formal headshot, dressed appropriately. For women, avoid excessive makeup or excessive jewelry. The photo should be neat and professional.
- Missing contact information - an outstanding CV won't make a difference if you make a mistake in basic information like your address or phone number. If an employer can't reach you for several days in a row, you might miss an opportunity. Additionally, in the era of computer technology, consider including your email address in the application document, as many employers communicate electronically. If you don't have an email address, consider creating one before you start your job search.
- Too much (or too little) information - employers are usually not interested in your primary school or junior high school. Instead, focus on your higher education (secondary or higher), your specialization, the direction of your studies, and the year of completion. Make sure all necessary information is provided. Employers are also interested in your skills, work experience, and completed courses. Ensure that all this information is included in your CV.
- Lack of specifics in work experience - it's crucial to provide specific information in your work experience, including dates, company names, positions, and responsibilities. Providing only job titles is incomplete information. By describing your responsibilities, a potential employer can understand the skills you could bring to the desired position.
- The truth will always come out - remember this principle when writing application documents. Your CV should only contain accurate information. False information in this document is the first step towards being disqualified during an interview and facing serious issues in your new job. This especially applies to education, experience, and language proficiency.
- Language - the most important thing is that the language used in your CV is suitable for your target audience. Use clear and straightforward communication, avoiding overly technical language. Each person uses language differently, with their own linguistic habits, favorite phrases, and terms often used unconsciously. Because of this, it's advisable to have at least one familiar person review both your cover letter and CV to catch any unusual phrasings, errors, or linguistic awkwardness. CVs are best written in concise sentence equivalents.