How to Write a Good CV?

Have you decided to make a change? Do you want to try your luck in a new job? Are you already browsing job offers? Many people may apply for the position you’re interested in. Therefore, you need to convincingly present your experience and skills, tailor the document to the job offer, and take care of its aesthetics. It’s time to take the first steps. An attractive CV is essential! Don’t worry! Many people don’t know how to write a CV. Are you unsure how to write a resume? In today’s guide, we’ll show you what a good CV should look like.

In this article, you will learn:

• What is a CV?
• What sections should a proper CV contain?
• How to create a good CV step by step?
• What to write in each section of the CV?
• How to write a CV that catches the employer’s attention?

CV, or Curriculum Vitae, is a Latin abbreviation that literally means “course of life.” This document contains detailed information about work experience, education, skills, and achievements. It is an essential element in the recruitment process, so it’s crucial to know what a good CV looks like.

How to Create a CV – Individual Sections

Are you wondering how to make a good CV, what should the CV layout be? A CV can consist of various sections, depending on the individual experiences and preferences of the candidate. Below are the basic sections that are often found in CVs. Study them carefully, and you’ll never have doubts about how to write a CV.

1. Contact Information: In the header, add basic information about yourself (name, surname, phone number, email address, link to your LinkedIn profile). Center this part of the document. Choose a larger font size to make your name and job title stand out immediately. You can omit the address because nowadays, no one contacts candidates in a traditional way.
2. Career Objective: This is a brief description of the candidate’s profile. Just four sentences can make your CV more attractive. Did you know that over 30% of candidates don’t know how to write a CV with a career objective? Remember to write about who you are, your major achievements, skills acquired recently, and your professional development direction. These don’t have to be extraordinary achievements. Focus on specifics.
3. Work Experience: Focus on previous job positions here. How to write a CV in this section? The most recent employer should be at the top of the list. Then, present previous workplaces down to the first one (company name, period of employment, job title). However, these dry data don’t tell the employer much about what exactly you did. How to make a CV that draws attention to experience? Describe in detail what you did in previous jobs and what you achieved, and what you are proud of.
4. Education: Provide information about your educational history, also in chronological order. Indicate the name of the university, field of study, academic degree, and graduation dates. How to create a CV so that this section is not too extensive? Just include the highest level of your education. You can skip earlier stages, for example: if you have completed university studies, don’t include high school, as it’s obvious. Similarly, if you have vocational education, information about primary school will not be necessary.
5. Skills: List only the skills that are important to the employer. Divide your list into soft and hard skills. Soft skills are characteristics required of a candidate for a particular job, while hard skills, i.e., technical skills, are skills like knowledge of Microsoft Office tools or knowledge of SEO principles.
6. Foreign Languages ​​(optional): Inform in the CV about your proficiency in foreign languages, indicating the level of proficiency.
7. Certificates and Training (optional): What to write in a CV about skills acquired in courses and training? Include only those directly related to the job you are applying for.
8. Interests (optional): Wondering how to write a good CV where you present a short list of interests and extracurricular activities that may be relevant to the employer.
9. References (optional): If you have contact information for people who can provide references regarding your work experience, include them in your CV.
10. Clause: Don’t forget about consent to the processing of personal data.

Should a CV Include a Photo or Not?

Decide whether to include a photo in your CV based on local norms, industry standards, or the policy of a specific employer. In Europe, including a photo is a common practice, while in the USA or the UK, it may even be discouraged due to potential discrimination. In the IT industry, a CV is not required. Regardless of everything, if you decide to include a photo, make sure it is professional and suitable for the professional context.

CV Tips. How to Write a Good CV?

If you’re wondering how to make a CV, remember above all to:

• Make your CV clear, aesthetically pleasing, and easy to understand. This will make a positive first impression on the employer.
• Present your work history, education, and achievements concisely. Employers want to quickly review the content of the CV and make decisions about further recruitment steps.
• Highlight only the skills and experience in your CV that match the requirements of the position you’re applying for.
• Delegate CV writing to someone else if you don’t feel competent and don’t know what to write in your CV.
• Ensure that your CV is correct in terms of spelling and grammar. Mistakes can harm your professional image, even if you have extensive work experience.
• Check if your contact details are up to date, especially your phone number and email address. It’s important for the employer to be able to contact you.
• Use ready-made templates that guide you step by step on how to write a good CV.

We hope our guide has provided you with enough knowledge on how to create a good CV.