A CV, or curriculum vitae, is our business card on the job market. A well-written CV can make the difference between advancing to the next stage of the recruitment process, so it’s important to dedicate time to its proper preparation. Here are some key tips on how to write a CV that will grab the attention of employers and increase your chances of landing your dream job.

1. Focus on clarity and structure

Clarity in structure is essential. Recruiters spend an average of just a few seconds scanning a CV, so it’s important that all the key information is easy to find. The most commonly used CV format is chronological, where the latest experiences and achievements appear at the top of the document.

How to do it:

  • Use clear headings for each section (e.g., work experience, education, skills).
  • Leave spacing between paragraphs and use simple fonts such as Arial or Calibri.

2. Tailor your CV to the position

A good CV should be tailored to the specific job listing. Think about which skills and experiences best match the job requirements and focus on highlighting those. It’s also worth considering whether to add specific keywords from the job description – this will help your CV pass through ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) that employers often use to filter applications.

How to do it:

  • In the job analysis, pay attention to the required qualifications and skills.
  • In the Work experience section, describe tasks and achievements relevant to the role, emphasizing your key accomplishments.

3. Highlight your achievements

When describing your work experiences, it’s important to focus on specific achievements rather than just listing daily duties. Provide numbers, results, or specific projects to demonstrate your contribution. For example, instead of writing “Managed a team,” write “Managed a team of five people, which led to a 20% increase in efficiency.”

How to do it:

  • Use the STAR formula (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when describing your achievements.
  • Focus on the results of your actions to show what value you can bring to the new organization.

4. Focus on soft and hard skills

Depending on the position you’re applying for, some skills will be more important than others. In the tech industry, technical skills are key, but employers are increasingly valuing soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.

How to do it:

  • In the skills section, list both hard and soft competencies relevant to the position you’re applying for.
  • For technical skills, specify the programs or tools you have experience with, such as “Python (3 years of experience)” or “Excel (advanced).”

5. Don’t forget about interests and projects

Interests and additional projects can give the recruiter a better sense of your passions and abilities. This is also an opportunity to show that you are actively developing your skills, which is very important in the tech industry. If you have participated in courses, hackathons, or worked on open-source projects, be sure to mention it.

How to do it:

  • In the Interests/Projects section, write a few words about your activities outside of professional work – they could be related to programming, artificial intelligence, or other technologies.
  • Make sure the projects are related to the industry and support your application for the given position.

6. Check language and formatting

It’s important that your CV is written correctly in terms of language and grammar. Mistakes can give the recruiter a negative impression of your attention to detail. Also, make sure that the formatting is consistent and the document looks aesthetically pleasing.

How to do it:

  • Ask someone to proofread your CV and check for any errors.
  • Save your CV as a PDF file to preserve formatting and avoid issues with opening the file.

Writing a CV is a key step in the job search process. Remember to tailor the document to the specific job requirements, highlight your achievements, and use clear, error-free language. A well-prepared CV can increase your chances of getting a job, so it’s worth investing time in its proper preparation.

Remember that a well-prepared CV is a crucial element in the job search process, and our support through the “CV Evaluation by an Expert” project has helped many people create documents that stand out in the job market.

Want to learn more about our project? Click here to check the details of “CV Evaluation by an Expert”.

Sources:

  • Harvard Business Review, “How to Write a Resume”
  • Indeed, “How to Write a Resume”
  • The Muse, “43 Resume Tips That Will Help You Get Hired”