10 tips for a winning CV

Did you know recruiters spend on average less than 30 seconds on an initial review of your CV?
So, create a winning CV which gets you into that first meeting.

Here are my 10 tips:

1. Use a clear and simple layout: plenty of white space, bullet points, short sentences, font that’s easy to read (Calibri, Times New Roman or Arial) and not too small (between 10 and 12 pt).

2. Make it no longer than two pages and make sure the most important information stands out on page one.

3. Start your CV with your name (in a bigger font size). Don’t put ‘Curriculum Vitae’ in front of your name. This is outdated.

4. Put your contact details at the top of the page: location, email address, mobile number and link to your LinkedIn profile. Leave out your date of birth and marital status.

5. Check whether it’s expected to include a photo of yourself. This is not common in every country. For example, don’t include a photo in the UK, Canada and the USA.

6. Include a short personal statement to explain why you are the best person for the job.

7. Cover the following sections: employment history, education, skills, interests / volunteer experience (which are relevant for the job).

8. Tailor your CV to the job, by making the most relevant experience, accomplishments and skills the most visible.

9. Use the right words: powerful verbs, jargon-free language and strategically selected keywords.

10. Make sure you can provide evidence of your achievements with quantifiable figures where possible.

And when you’ve created your CV, don’t forget to let it double check by someone else.

Look for people not for jobs!

Finally, it’s good to know that the job market is totally different from 10 years ago. It has developed into a more ‘hidden jobmarket’. Companies are using more low-cost informal methods to fill positions. Social media channels, word of mouth and personal recommendation are widely used. Personal connections are therefore essential in job searching.

So, if you want someone to spend more than 30 seconds reading your CV, send it after making a personal connection.

If you have any other questions about your CV, please let me know!

Best wishes,
Eefke

PS: have you tried my 15 work-life balance tips yet? You can download them here for free.