CV Structure: How to write a good CV
Jump forward in the job queue: How to write the good CV
You have the skills and professionalism, but still fail to take the next step towards the all-important job interview. It is with great frustration that you have to receive a rejection. It can be hard to put a finger on what makes the difference.
Why are others selected when you are deselected? The bitterness of defeat can take root, but do not despair, there is advice for the most part. Read on as we give our test on how to get a front pocket in the recruitment queue.
Your CV is the first thing that a recruitment manager sees in the recruitment phase. Therefore, this part is fundamental for you to be chosen over your competitors in the future.
It seems simple in and of itself, but in order for you to create an eye-catcher with your CV, it is important that this stands out.
Eye-catching is fundamental as we humans are visually oriented. The sense of sight trumps all other senses and is by far the greatest sense we humans possess.
Images beat text, which is why it’s essential to serve something that captures the recruiting employee’s gaze. Images and aesthetics take root, in fact the eyes contribute 85% of the knowledge you have about the world.
The visual expression of the CV is thus fundamental to how the recipient perceives you as a working person. The CV acts as the first ambassador before a potential personal meeting.
This does not mean that a good CV will secure you your dream job, but it is a good step towards making you more attractive for recruitment purposes. That is not to say that it can not feel overwhelming to venture out into this CV jungle. Today, a resume is not just a resume. There are even different types of resume templates.
The chronological CV: For you with a lot of experience
The chronological resume is what you typically associate with a resume. The chronological CV works especially well for you who possess several years of experience in the field in question. In this type of CV, you must insert positions and competencies that are relevant to the specific position.
In the chronological CV, you must explain your work experience and educational background in reverse chronological order. Yep, read it one more time. The chronological must be written in reverse chronological order.
This means you start from the top. Your latest education and experience must come first, and then you must move down.
This type of CV requires relevant experience, as professional experience is the main point in this, which is why it can seem a bit hollow and empty if there is not so much experience to draw on.
With the chronological CV, the recipient can get an overview of your relevant experience.
How is the chronological CV actually built up?
- Master Data
- Professional profile
- Work experience
- Results
- Education
- Courses
- IT Skills
- Hobbies
- Photo
Competence CV: For the graduate or industry changer
The competence CV is broadly reminiscent of the chronological CV. However, it is more suitable for you who do not have much experience in the coming field; whether you want a change of industry or are a recent graduate.
As the name suggests, this type of resume is about highlighting your competencies rather than focusing on your relevant work experience. Thus, the two CV types differ from each other.
With the competency CV you have the opportunity to make the recruitment employee aware of why you with your competencies – and not experience – are the essential candidate for the position.
Your competency resume should contain many of the same things as a chronological resume.
- Punchline
- Professional profile
- Core competencies
- Education / work experience
- Courses
- IT skills
- Hobbies
- Photo
The groundbreaking difference is that core competencies are central to this type of resume. Following your professional profile, gather the competencies that are relevant to the job you are applying for.
These competencies are listed and under each competency, describe what experience you have in that area. Therefore, choose competencies that you can link experience to. Demonstrate how you have acquired these competencies and how they can contribute to the specific position.
You can advantageously incorporate your work experience and educational background under your competencies in reverse chronological order as with the chronological CV. This gives the recipient an overview of your career – even if it is potentially deficient.
Thus, the difference between the two CV types is that one focuses on work experience, whereas the other is centered around competencies.
Key points such as master data, punchline, professional profile, courses, hobbies, IT skills and photography must be in both CV types.
Master Data: The Most Important Information in Your Accurate Resume
There are not many words to put at this point on your resume checklist. It is just important to add the most important information and contact information about you so that you are contactable when you are invited for interview. Therefore, it is important that you always have: Phone number, address, date of birth, email, characteristics and language skills with as master info.
With a good punchline, you capture the company’s attention
A good punchline, or headline if you will, is the first thing that is read on your resume. Therefore, put soul into writing an interesting and catchy punchline that takes root in the recipient’s mind. Thereby, the first impression is good and the recipient can read on with interest after getting to know you even better. The interesting punchline is your springboard to your even more interesting resume.
Professional Profile: Voice of the CV
Your professional profile / CV profile text is a mini-application. It is a short summary and an overview of you as a person and employee. A CV is backward-looking and with a focus on your previous achievements, whereas this section is forward-looking and your opportunity to give your opinion on why you are essential in the role of the company’s future employee.
Therefore, please target this section at the company you are applying to. Use five to seven lines to describe why you are interesting for the position. Feel free to create a common thread between this section and the headline, as it forms the framework for the recipient’s further interest and desire to read.
Courses, IT skills and hobbies AKA all that extra info that makes you yours
The above should be in your CV if you find it necessary for your professional profile and the position you are applying for. Incorporate courses if you have any relevant ones. Hobbies are not essential, but it can be added if you think it gives a picture of the person you are.
In a continuing digital world, it is essential to possess technical skills to be able to perform – some positions require more IT flair than others – so the fullness of this point will vary depending on the position.
When building your CV… REMEMBER THE RED THREAD
When you are building your resume, it is alpha omega to remember the common thread. The above steps are a pretty sensible start. This is the usual way to do it.
Basically, there is no fact list for how to build a resume, it’s just a matter of presenting all the relevant information for that position. For example, if you are applying as an educator, your hobbies can be quite essential in a CV. For example, as a programmer, it may be a little more irrelevant. I hope you catch the point.
Photo: Put on your prettiest smile and say orange
The image is important in your resume. See it as the first meeting – albeit virtually – with your potential new employer. First impressions are central, and you could not dream of showing up in jogging clothes for a job interview, could you?
You want to appear professional in your meeting with your new employer. But your employer has already met you – virtually – via the photo on your resume. Therefore, it is important that you give this image the same professionalism that you possess, which is why you should avoid:
- Vacation Pictures
- Pictures with sunglasses
- Selfies
- Not like images
- Images that are more than a few years old
- Photos from parties
Less is more has never been more appropriate than writing the perfect resume
83% of all employers prefer that a CV does not exceed more than three pages, in fact 41% of companies surveyed spend only 1-2 minutes reading a CV in the first screening. Therefore, it is fundamental that you make your CV short and concise, which you, by following our previously described, can achieve.
Layout: A visually appealing resume attracts attention
Once all the content is summarized in your resume, you are in goal. Almost. The importance of the visual expression, you have been tooting your ears full with the last few minutes. Nevertheless, it is important to tie a visually beautiful bow on your well-worded and sharp CV.
Put some effort into the graphic work. The importance of graphics depends on the position in question, however, it is important to focus on aesthetics regardless.
Via a well-designed CV, you have the opportunity to demonstrate creativity, structure, discipline and other qualities. There are several templates available online if you do not have the courage to throw yourself into it completely yourself.
To make it a little more delicious…
If your resume structure needs to be completely spot on with a twist of flair, then go in and play around with the color codes a bit. If you are looking for Novo Nordisk, add their color codes. If anything, it shows dedication! Employer will immediately think, ” Uh. Something has been done about it ”.
First and foremost, it also requires that you have followed the above tips. Because if you have not made a bold layout, it may all matter. As you can probably see from our CV, we have made a lot out of our layouts – but that is only due to eye-catching and clarity.
Because according to studies, eye-catching helps to create the reader’s interest. You probably know it yourself when you start reading a book. You also do not choose a book with a completely black layout, if there is one right next to it, which is much more appetizing.
CV building – should it be difficult?
Yes, it can be difficult to create the perfect resume structure, because there are many elements that play a crucial role. What industry are you looking for? Are you a recent graduate? What should you focus on in terms of content?
There are a huge number of elements that need to be taken into account. In this post, we show an example of a CV structure, but we also get into the underlying and more.
When you need to do your first CV building, the initial phase is always: Research. Research. Research. Find examples of resumes within your industry, research their resume structure.
Find good punchlines that preferably do not sound too cliché. Read a little about the good introduction – what is also called “professional profile” in your CV – in 95% of cases it is always good to have it with you.
When you do not bother to do more research
Typically, according to the professional profile, you write about either your core competencies or work experience, depending on whether you are a recent graduate or experienced. The most important thing to point out during your work experience is results.
For example, have you helped expand into new markets? Did you get an employee satisfaction score of 9/10 because the work environment is for UG?
You can make it as a description under that work experience. Otherwise, create a brand new section called “Achieved Results”. That said, if you work in industries where you look at the soft values, it can be a little harder.
Therefore, check if you can name something else that makes your CV stand out.
Are results so important? Yes. This is insanely important if you want a job!
Employer keeps a close eye on results. In many cases, results are short and concrete. Put yourself in the position – imagine you have to read 350 CVs and applications? As mentioned before, if you work in a different industry, you need to come up with something unique. Something that sets you apart. A good example is:
The structure of a CV can vary, as I said. Some of the above examples or pointers may not be relevant to you. This is also a post for you who are just looking for inspiration. The next section must therefore be about building a CV as a recent graduate, followed by building it as an experienced person.