The competitive professional environment we currently face means that job seekers need to do everything possible to stand out from other candidates applying for employment within a particular organisation. In particular, it is worth focusing on a well-prepared CV, which serves as your professional showcase and the first point of contact with a potential employer. What should you do to attract the attention of recruiters reviewing dozens of similar documents and receive an invitation to a job interview?
Once you read this short guide to creating a CV, you will be able to prepare an ideal CV that will increase your chances during recruitment for your chosen position!
How to write a CV step by step? Sections your CV should include
A good CV should include several important elements. First, you should provide your contact details – your full name, telephone number and email address, which should sound professional (it is advisable to avoid inappropriate usernames, for example those associated with humorous nicknames). The opening part of your CV should also contain a professional summary section. This should be a short but informative description of the qualifications, experience and aspirations of the candidate taking part in the recruitment process, presenting them in the best possible light and encouraging the recruiter to read the rest of the submitted curriculum vitae.
The core of an ideal CV is a comprehensive description of your experience. You should list your previous places of employment, including company names, positions held, periods of employment, as well as a list of responsibilities and achievements. Especially in the case of achievements, remember to provide specific results and figures that clearly confirm your successes. Next comes the education section, containing information about the schools you attended, academic qualifications obtained, as well as completed courses and training programmes (especially those directly related to the industry in which you are seeking employment).
Another important element of a CV is your skills – hard skills (e.g. knowledge of foreign languages, ability to use computer software or possession of specialist qualifications confirmed by official certificates) and soft skills (e.g. communication skills, creativity, resilience to stress, assertiveness, empathy or flexibility). You may also optionally mention your interests. However, it is worth making sure that the hobbies described are at least somewhat related to your chosen career path – this way, the candidate will present themselves as a well-rounded person, while the interests listed will demonstrate additional strengths that can be used when carrying out assigned responsibilities.
The most common mistakes when creating a CV
Creating a CV is a process in which it is easy to make mistakes that may even ruin your chances of finding employment. What should you avoid? One of the most common mistakes is failing to provide up-to-date contact details. Poor language quality, such as numerous typos, is also considered a disadvantage, so before sending your CV, you should always carefully check the accuracy of the content or ask someone else to read it.
Another common problem is preparing one universal CV and sending it to different companies instead of tailoring the document to each specific job offer. Many candidates also make the mistake of creating a CV that is too long and detailed, overwhelming the reader with the amount of information provided while failing to highlight the professional competencies required for the position.
Rules for writing a CV – summary
Preparing an effective CV is the art of presenting your strengths in an interesting way, as well as attractively describing your skills (both hard and soft), education and professional experience to date. To confirm the credibility of the information provided, you should include specific examples, ensure that the document has a clear structure and avoid common mistakes when writing a CV. Investing time and effort in refining your CV demonstrates the candidate’s commitment. It is an investment in the future that will certainly result in more invitations to job interviews, bringing you closer to securing your dream job – one that offers development opportunities and attractive pay.
FAQ SECTION
Where should you start when writing a CV?
You should start writing a CV by gathering all the necessary information about your most important professional achievements. Next, choose an appropriate CV template and complete the individual sections – starting with your personal details and a description of your current position or the most recent position you held. When describing your experience, you should move progressively further back in time, using what is known as reverse chronological order.
What should you not include in a CV?
A CV should not include overly personal information (e.g. marital status), false information or vague statements that are not supported by evidence.
What must a CV include?
The basic elements that a CV (curriculum vitae) should include are: contact details, a professional summary or career objective, experience, education and skills.
Do you need to include a photo in your CV?
Including a photo in your CV is optional, but if you decide to add one, you should make sure that it is professional and up to date, and that the person shown in the photo is wearing formal clothing.
Is it worth using CV templates?
Yes, it is worth taking inspiration from ready-made CV templates. Reviewing examples of CVs can help you maintain a professional and clear document layout, save time and make it easier to organise information. However, it is recommended to personalise your CV to at least some extent in order to stand out from other candidates in the job market.
