6 seconds. That’s how long it takes for recruiters to decide whether you’re suitable for the job or not. This means one thing. You don’t have much time to make a strong first impression. You need to ensure that the recruiter will get an understanding of what you bring to the table with just a skim of your CV. But that wouldn’t be possible if the crucial details about your job history, skills, and awards are all over the place. Your CV needs to follow a certain logic. It needs to have a specific structure. Is this structure job-specific? Not necessarily. Surely there are some sections software engineers need to have that office managers can omit. But generally speaking, the structure of your CV wouldn’t vary much regardless of the position you’re applying for. In this article you’ll learn: What the 3 most common types of CV formats are How to structure your CV in an engaging yet easy-to-read way What sections your CV can’t go without Why using action verbs on your CV boosts your chances of landing an interview … and more! The 3 most common CV formats and why choosing the right one makes a difference Several years ago, CVs could be a plain .docx document with a couple of bullet points under each section. Nowadays, however, hiring managers expect more. Imagine the number of applications they go through every single day. It’s not so hard to understand why they value proper-structured CVs. To make things easy for you, let’s look at the top 3 different CV formats we advise you to choose from. Reverse-chronological CV format The reverse-chronological format speaks for itself. As the most common CV format, it plays directly with recruiters’ sense of familiarity. When choosing this format, you’d be expected to start with your most recent position and move backward. The reverse-chronological format would fit candidates with 3-10 years of professional experience who have been through at least 2-3 positions. Naturally, this makes it unsuitable for recent graduates or applicants with big employment gaps. Another thing to keep in mind when discussing the reverse-chronological CV format is the fact that it focuses mainly on work experience. So if you want your CV to be more creative or achievement-oriented, then there is a better option to go for. It’s called the functional CV format. Functional CV format Functional CVs are best for students, recent graduates, or people with large gaps in their work experience. They focus on skills, achievements, and talents, rather than work experience. These three sections are usually put at the top of the CV, with work experience being put right at the bottom. The point of the functional CV format is to prove you have all the necessary skills to do well in the job. Even if you don’t have the experience for it. And if you’ve been unemployed for a while but don’t want to put the emphasis on this… then you’re in the right place. Showcasing your skills, certificates, and accomplishments is the go-to option for many job-seekers who are in the same boat as you. If neither of these two options sounds suitable for you - don’t worry about it. The hybrid CV format is here to save the day. Hybrid CV format The hybrid CV combines the best of the reverse-chronological and the functional formats. It follows a reverse-chronological order for listing your previous jobs while leaving enough room for important sections such as achievements, skills, and certificates. This makes it perfect for professionals with up to 5 years of experience. Or generally for people who want to stand out and are up for a challenge. You could also include some non-traditional sections, like a ‘What my typical day looks like’ chart or a list of all your favourite books. The hybrid CV gives you the freedom to make your own choices. Keeping your application professional yet personal. Now, once you’ve chosen the best format for your resume, it’s time to learn more about the sections recruiters want to see. The sections your CV cannot go without Regardless of the format you’ve chosen for your CV, there are some primary sections your CV needs to have. Including these sections will ensure hiring managers have all the required information to make an informed decision when screening applicants. And ultimately invite you to an interview. Let’s look at each of these CV sections: First things first: adding personal details in your CV When you’re applying for a job, the first thing you need to do is add your personal details. These go into the header of your CV and include name, phone number, link to your portfolio or LinkedIn profile (depending on the position), and the town you currently live in. This information is exceptionally important for one single reason: getting in touch with you. If the hiring manager sees you as a good fit, they’d need to contact you and learn more about who you are as a person. So make sure your header section doesn’t look like this: Rather, make sure to always include: Your name and surname A professional sounding email address (safest bet would be name_surname@website.com) Your full job title Your phone + country code A link to your portfolio or LinkedIn profile, no social media profiles, please! Here’s a good example to follow: After you’ve ensured the hiring manager will be able to get in touch with you, it’s time to share with them a little bit more about you and get their interest! The CV summary: key for a strong first impression The summary of your CV is the first thing recruiters will see. It’s your first (and most often only) chance to build a connection. Yeah, building a connection with someone you can’t see or speak to sounds difficult. But it doesn’t have to be. If you have a summary that highlights your top strengths and proves you’re the best fit for this job. So what exactly is the CV summary? It consists of 2 or 3 sentences (tops!) that sit just below the header of your CV. Here’s an example of a CV summary we’d describe as quite good. This CV summary lists the candidate’s top 3 skills (related to graphic design, copywriting, and total search) while at the same time putting them in context and showing the results they have led to. In short - it shows how these skills have been utilised to surpass client goals and lead to great success. The best any manager can ask for. And once you have your CV summary ready, it’s time to expand on your achievements and responsibilities in the experience section. Proving you have what it takes in the experience section Based on the job you’re applying for and your level of expertise, the experience section can be one of the most important bits of your CV. Hiring managers want to see how your previous responsibilities relate to the job you’re applying for now. Which is exactly why you need to be careful with what you discuss here. We hear you wondering - is there a way to mess up the experience section completely? Absolutely. The easiest way to do this is by listing points that have nothing in common with your future job role. This could be, for instance, by saying you took care of all incoming invoices in the past when you’re actually applying for a job as a truck driver. Will your finance skills be of any need or help? Most probably not. So there’s no point in including them. Now, if you want to ensure your experience amazes recruiters and makes them want to hear more from you, we’ve got something for you. Two words. Action. Verbs. Use them to describe your responsibilities in a way that gives you all the credit you deserve. Here’s an example of what your experience section might sound like if you don’t use action verbs: And now look at this: See the difference? Using action verbs at the beginning of all your bullet points empowers you in a way like no other. They prove you’re able to take charge. At the same time, they help you highlight what you’re most proud of. And talking about things you’re proud of, let’s not forget about the skills’ section. Crafting a skills section that beats ATS Have you heard of applicant tracking systems (ATS)? They’re used by most recruiters as a pre-screening step. This means that even before a recruiter gets to look through your CV, this specific type of software has checked whether your application is worth spending time on at all. How does it do that? By tracking keywords. Let’s imagine you’re applying for a position in business intelligence. They’d probably want you to be proficient in a BI tool such as Power BI. And what’s more, they’d probably want to know how you’ve used it and what results this has helped you achieve. So, the easiest option here would be to ask the ATS to only ‘approve’ CVs that have the keyword ‘Power BI’ in them. Which means that if your CV doesn’t mention ‘Power BI’, there’s a huge chance of getting rejected. Only because the ATS didn’t deem you the right type of candidate. Now, we get that this is extremely irritating. You might be a Power BI pro and still get rejected? Yeah. This is exactly why you need to be mindful of the skills you list on your CV. Curious to find out more about how ATS can impact your job application? We’ve expanded on this here. But remember - there’s no point in listing all your skills. Focus on the relevant ones. A good idea is to go through the job advert (and maybe even some similar job adverts) and see what the desired skills are. If you have these skills, make sure to add them to your skills section. (But please don’t lie if you don’t.) And don’t forget - balancing between hard and soft skills is key. Check this out for an extensive list of key skills to put on your CV. Showcasing your expertise in the education section Nowadays, it has definitely become common to see people working in fields they haven’t gained any formal education in. But! It’s still important to keep in mind that spending 3 years or more studying and researching a field of your choice will make you stand out from someone who has no formal higher education and has instead gained all knowledge through their job. And even if you don’t hold a university degree, here’s what your job-winning CV education section must include: Keeping the attention: other sections to include in your CV Choosing whether to add some other, out-of-the-ordinary sections to your CV depends on several factors. The position you’re applying for. The company you’re applying for. The industry you’re part of. If you’re applying for an entry-level position or a position in a more creative and innovation-boosting industry, then you can add some depth to your CV by sharing your favourite quote or speaking about your achievements. Another section that you can think of as ‘nice to have’ is the certificates section. It’s often used to showcase relevant courses and certification programs you’ve taken to strengthen your skills. To sum up, here are some additional sections to enhance your CV: Hobbies and interests Publications References Volunteer work Certifications Projects Awards Achievements Looking for more tips on how to improve your CV? Here are some examples! Key takeaways: Structuring your CV like a pro Though it may seem hard on the surface, structuring your CV is actually quite straight-forward. If there are only 3 things to remember from this article, these should be: The format you choose for your CV should be based on your experience and the industry you’re applying for Action verbs will portray you as someone who can take charge and will do whatever is required to achieve their goals Not having the right keywords on your CV might result in your application getting rejected by ATS And if you’re looking for a way to build a personal yet professional CV in just a couple of minutes, make sure to check out our CV templates!
No matter how many times you have done it already, you might still find it difficult to start your CV strong. And whether you are applying for your first job, or taking on a career change, starting a brand-new CV is always hard. There might be millions of questions in your head about how to start your CV just right. We are here to solve your problem, and help you start, and do it strong. In this article, we are going to explore the following questions: Why is it important to start your CV strong? How to start your CV strong? And once we are done, you will be able to start your CV just right with ease. So, if you are ready, let’s begin our journey. Why is it important to start your CV strong? Before we go any further, you need to first understand why is it critical to start your CV strong. Your CV is your first introduction to your potential employer, and as any first impression, you would want to make it a good one. It is your best chance to present yourself as a valuable asset, and show that you are just the person they have been looking for. By planning your CV carefully and starting it strong, you can increase your chances of getting an interview. However, not taking the time to plan it ahead, might result in the exact opposite. How to start your CV strong? Now that you understand the importance of how you start your CV, it is time to figure out how to get the best out of it. You can start your CV strong in just a few simple steps. Get all your information in one place To start your CV strong, you should not begin with a blank piece of paper. What you need to do is actually start digging up all the information you might need for your CV. Think about all the essential things your CV should include, like: Your dates of employment for each position you have held Relevant job duties in past positions Skills you have acquired Certifications Education Once you have all that ready, it would be easier for you to pick the right format for your CV, choose the best font, and figure out all the little details around your formatting. Choose your CV format Once you have gathered all the information you need, it is time to pick the right CV format for you. It all depends on how much experience you have, the industry you are applying for, and what other specific information would be expected from you. The most common CV formats are: Chronological CV – this is the most common CV format. All you need for it is focus on your work experience, and list it in reverse-chronological order. It is widely preferred by recruiters, as it is straightforward, and easy to scan. Functional CV – this CV format is preferred mainly when you are still inexperienced, or taking up a new career path. Its main focus falls on your skills set, rather than your work experience. Hybrid CV – this CV format takes the best features from the other two formats. It still puts an accent on your skills set, but it also focuses on your career, which should again be listed in reverse-chronological order. Pick the right formatting for your CV The last thing you need to take care of before you start writing your CV is the formatting. As it would be one of the first things the recruiter would notice, make sure you have: Selected a professional font – like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri Selected proper font size – you should stick between 10 and 12 Kept some white space on the paper, so that the page can breathe, and does not look too cluttered Create the perfect header Once you are ready to start to craft your CV, you should begin from the very top of the page – your CV header. The first thing you need to keep in mind for your CV header is that you need to keep it consistent across your application documents. For example, if you plan on writing a cover letter as well, make sure it uses the same header as your CV. The next thing you need to do is to design your header to show your personality, but also make sure it matches the industry standards for the field you are applying for. Your CV header should include: Your name Your phone number Your email address To get the best results, you need to follow these steps: Make your name stand out, so that the recruiter clearly knows whose CV they are looking at Make sure your email address looks professional. If needed, you can create a new one with the sole purpose of job-seeking Write your CV introduction When you are ready with your CV header, it is time to grab the recruiter’s attention. Writing a good CV introduction can really help you stand out from the crowd of applicants, as it will make the recruiter remember you, and increase your chances of getting an interview. The format of your introduction can vary on multiple factors, like qualifications, experience, and industry. The three most common formats for a CV introduction are: Career objective – in that case, your introduction would be a short paragraph, where you discuss the career path you are seeking, and what you hope to gain from the open position. Also, don’t miss out on highlighting your relevant skills and experience CV summary – with that introduction format, you would focus more deeply on your relevant experience, skills, certifications, and qualifications. However, don’t forget to keep it short, just like you would with the career objective Professional profile – this introduction format is best if you have lots of experience behind you. It focuses mainly on your work experience, and career achievements Use keywords Last, but not least, make sure you use keywords right from the start when crafting your CV. Since more and more companies are using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to do the pre-selection of candidates for them based on keywords, you would want to list any skills you possess, and are listed in the job posting. This way, you can ensure that you would pass the ATS test, and your CV would meet the eyes of the hiring manager. Takeaways We are all done, now you know how to start your CV strong. Let’s go through all the important steps you need to take to ensure that: Get all your information in one place – take the time to collect all the information you might want to put on your CV, as this would help you determine its format better Choose your CV format – you can do that based on the information you gathered. It is best if you stick to one of the three most common formats – chronological CV, functional CV, and hybrid CV Pick the right formatting for your CV – you would want the recruiter to be able to read your CV with ease, so make sure you keep a consistent and professional formatting right from the start Create the perfect header – include all the necessary information, like your name, phone number, and email address Write your CV introduction – grab the recruiter’s attention right from the start by showing them you are the right person for the job. It’s best if you stick to the three main formats for a CV introduction – career objective, CV summary, and professional profile Use keywords – finally, make sure you use keywords throughout your CV, as there is a great chance that the pre-selection would be done my an ATS Now that you know all that, you are ready to start crafting your new CV, and start it strong.
If you have had some interviews already, you have probably noticed that most interviews end the same way – by the interviewer asking you whether you have any question. And as experience shows us, saying a “no” is not an option. A crucial part of your interview and whether you will get the job is asking a few smart and tailored questions. You might ask yourself why, and we are here to help you. In this article, we are going to find the answers for the following questions: Why is it important to ask questions at the end of your interview? What are the most essential questions to ask at the end of your interview? What questions you should avoid asking during your interview? And once we are done, you should be ready to end your interview on a positive note. So, if you are ready to learn more about that topic, let’s dive in. Why is it important to ask questions at the end of your interview? Before we go any further, it is important for you to understand why it might be crucial for you to ask questions at the end of your interview. There are many interview questions that you will be asked throughout your interview, but the last one will most certainly be “Do you have any questions for me?”. Many candidates simply answer “No” when asked, but that is in fact the worst possible answer that you can give. Lacking questions for the interviewers at the end of your interview, it would seem like you have lack of curiosity and low level of engagement on your part. After all, there is no way for you to know everything about the position and the company, and not asking about neither one, simply does not look good. On the contrary, if you have a few well-rounded questions to ask the interviewer, you will end your interview on the right note. Not only does that show that you have done your research before the interview, but it also gives the interviewer a chance to get to know you, as the questions you ask also reveal about who you are. The most essential questions to ask at the end of your interview Now that you know why is it so essential to ask questions at the end of your interview, you might ask yourself what should you ask the interviewer. We got you covered, we have prepared the best 14 questions that you can ask at the end of your interview. 1. What's the best thing about working here? This is arguably the best question you can ask at the end of your interview. It is absolutely on point, and will surely impress the hiring manager. Furthermore, it can give you tons of information right away that would make it easier for you to determine if you see yourself in the company. Here are just a few of the purposes this question serves: Helps for the interviewer to remember you – as most candidates prefer to talk about themselves, this question comes as a fresh breath of air Shows that you are interested not only in the job you are applying for, but in the company itself You can get some valuable insight on the company – it is just the opinion of one person, but you can still get a good idea if the company would be a good fit for you Depending on the interviewer’s answer, it can open up the door for follow-up questions for you to ask 2. How do you evaluate and define success in this position? This is one of the favourite questions of most hiring managers. If anything proves that you are really a goal-oriented professional – it is that questions at the end of your interview. Furthermore, the interviewer’s answer can give you a great insight on what would be expected of you in that job position. However, if the interviewer can’t answer this questions, that should be a clear red flag for you – it shows lack of clear structure and expectations. 3. What's the structure of the team/department? This is yet another way to get a great insight on the company, and the team or department you would be working in. The interviewer’s answer would not only help you get a better understanding of your potential responsibilities, but it will also give you information if you would have any peers in similar roles. 4. What is the typical career path for someone in this position? This question is a great way to learn if there could be an opportunity for a promotion for you anytime soon. The interviewer’s answer can give you some valuable information regarding whether this position is a career-building opportunity, or a dead end. Furthermore, asking this questions can actually help your chances for getting the job, as you would seem ambitious, and that is always a good thing. 5. What would you like to change in the company? When asking this question, you can never be sure what kind of answer you would receive from the interviewer. The interviewer can share any of the following: A current problem they are trying to resolve in the company An aspect of the job that might be frustrating But the answer can also include something else entirely. Either way, you are likely to get some useful insight into what it would be like working there. 6. Can you describe a typical day for someone in this role at your company? That’s one more question that you can use to get some useful insight that would help you determine if you would feel good within the company. It can also help you verify your potential responsibilities, as well as the scope of your role. 7. How would you describe the company's culture? This question is a great pick for the end of your interview, as it functions on two different levels: It shows the interviewer that you care about finding the right cultural fit in your next position You can get some insight on the company’s culture and how it prioritizes employee satisfaction 8. How do you think the company defines and demonstrates its values? Just like asking about the company’s culture, asking about its values can give you some great insight. With the interviewer’s answer, you will not only understand better how the company operates on the inside, but you will also show the interviewer that you have researched the company and want to know how it would align with your own values. 9. How would I collaborate with my supervisor? With all the different leadership styles out there, it would really help you to know how managers in this company interact with their employees. It will help you take a better decision whether the company is the right fit for you and whether you will be able to use your full potential to contribute to the company’s success. 10. Apart from the technical skills required to succeed in this role, what soft skills do you think will serve the company and position best? This is yet another question that would help you decide if you would be a good fit for the company. The soft skills that the company values can help you determine what are the most important aspects of the job and if the team would be what you are looking for. 11. Is this a new position? If not, why did the person before me leave this role? This question might feel a little awkward to ask, but the fact is, you are entitled to that information to take the best decision for yourself. There is much difference between an employee being promoted and freeing the position, and an employee quitting their job due to some reason. If the case is as the second one, you need to try to understand what their reasons for quitting has been, and whether you would feel comfortable in that position. 12. What are your expectations for this role during the first 30 to 60 days? The information you can get from that questions can be crucial for successfully getting the job you are interviewing for. Not only would it help you understand what would be expected of you and the metrics of success that the company is using, but it will also help you tailor your qualifications in the next interview steps in order to fit the role better. 13. Can I provide any further details that would be helpful in making your decision? Once you are towards the end of the questions you want to ask the interviewer, you should try to end with two significant questions – this is the first one. By asking that questions, you give the interviewer the opportunity to ask you follow-up questions about what you have discussed earlier. They might ask you to clarify something you said at some point, or they might ask for some details on certain matters. Either way, asking that question will surely show the interviewer that you are still interested in the job opportunity after the main part of the interview. 14. What are the next steps? This is possibly the best last question to ask the interviewer at the end of your interview. As different companies have different hiring processes, it would be good to know what timeframes to expect in the current hiring process. This is also the place to mention any time-sensitive information, such as currently considering other offers, or figuring out arrangements for relocation, transportation, or adjusting to a new schedule. Questions you should avoid asking during your interview Now you know the best questions that you can ask at the end of your interview, but we also need to have a look at the types of questions you should never ask at that stage. We have prepared for you the top 3 topics you should stay away from. 1. Questions about money and benefits Generally, it is a bad idea to bring up the topics of money and benefits during your interview, no matter how tempting it might be. If you really need to know that information, instead of brining it up during the interview, you can contact the HR representative in charge of the hiring process for this position. However, if you get a job offer, you will find out everything you need to know about the salary and benefits, and you will most likely have the chance to negotiate them. 2. When you can take your first holiday When you are interviewing for a position, you would want to focus on your experience and skills, and how you can contribute to the work processes in the company. However, asking about taking days off during your interview shows that you are already thinking about not working. And you would not want to be remembered with that when the decisions for hiring for that position is being taken. 3. How well you did during the interview You might be tempted to ask how well you did during your interview, but it is always a bad idea. You will certainly get that information when the company reaches out to you, and asking about it before the interview is even over, might effectively erase your chances of getting the job. Takeaways We are all done, now you know why is it important to ask questions at the end of your interview, and which questions are best and worst for that purpose. Let’s go through all the important information you would like to extract with all your questions: You would like to get a better idea of how the company operates You would like to understand what the company values, and what its culture stands for You would want to know more about the day-to-day work and responsibilities And don’t forget to end your questions with the following two: Can I provide any further details that would be helpful in making your decision? What are the next steps? Also, remember to avoid topics like money, benefits, and vacations days. Check out our list of questions that you can ask at the end of your interview to get the most information on the position and the company, and prepare the questions for your next job interview.
When you are applying for a job, there are various documents that can help you out more further in the hiring process. Most candidates stick to only sending out their CV, and sometimes add in their cover letter, and that is perfectly fine. However, there are some additional documents that the employer might ask you to provide to get a better understanding of who you are. One of the most common additional documents for your application is a character reference. You might ask yourself various questions about that, and we are here to help you. In this article, we are going to find the answers to the following questions: What is a character reference letter? Who to ask for a character reference letter? How to write a character reference letter? And we are going to wrap this topic up with some great tips and tricks to help you out, as long as a great example of character reference letter to get you started on your own. So, if you are ready to learn more about the reference letters and how to use them correctly, let’s dive in. What is a character reference letter? Before we get any further, it is essential that you understand what exactly is a character reference letter. A character reference letter is a document which is often used in job applications as a testament to the candidate’s personal qualities. Typically, your character reference letter would not necessarily be written by someone who you have worked professionally with. It is much more important that the person can talk about your abilities and character. The goal of the character reference letter is for the employer to get an insight into your personality and traits, and based on that to determine whether you would be a good fit for their company. Who to ask for a character reference letter? When deciding who to ask for a character reference letter, you can’t just ask anybody. You need to consider only people who know you well enough to provide a realistic and positive evaluation of your personal traits. Some people who you can consider for writing your character reference letter are: Co-worker Co-volunteer Volunteer leader Coach Client of yours Customer of yours Business acquaintance Professor of yours Academic advisor Mentor of yours Fellow student Neighbour of yours Friend of yours As you can see from that list, you should avoid choosing a family member, as such character reference letters are usually not taken seriously from employers. To help the person who you have selected for a reference prepare better your letter, you can provide them with the job description of the job you are applying for, as well as your up-to-date CV. How to write a compelling character reference letter? Now, let’s back up a bit, and have a look at a different scenario – someone asking you to write a compelling character reference letter for them. If you are up to the task, you need to know how to do this right, and help your fellow in the best way possible. To write a compelling character reference letter, you need to follow just five simple steps. Explain your relationship to the candidate The first thing you need to do when writing a character reference letter is show the employer how you know the candidate. No matter what your relationship is, make sure you provide some detail, so that the employer knows that you really know each other, and that you have some insight into the candidate’s personality. Share how long you have known the candidate After sharing your relationship with the candidate, you would want to go a little further into detail. What you need to share is how long you have known the candidate, as that only proves the credibility of anything you have to same about them. Highlight positive personal qualities of the candidate and back them up with specific examples Once you have provided the employer with enough detail about your relationship with the candidate, it is time to share some of your insight. That’s the place where you want to show the employer that the candidate would be a great fit to their company. To do so, make sure you include at least three personal qualities that would help the employer better understand the candidate, and why they can benefit the company. These are qualities can be any of these, as well as any other soft skills: Dedication Communication skills Leadership abilities Positive attitude Efficiency Commitment to quality Whatever you decide to list as positive qualities of the candidate, make sure you also back up your words with some specific examples in your experience with the candidate. Wrap it up with a statement of recommendation and share your contact details Once you have done all that, it is time to simply wrap up your character reference letter. To do so right, you need just two things: State that you recommend the candidate for the position they are applying for List at least two pieces of contact information, like your phone number and email address Tips and tricks After you know who to ask for a reference letter, and how to write one, if someone asks you, let’s have a look at some tips and tricks that would help you either way: Keep the character reference letter positive – that is absolutely not the place for listing someone’s shortcomings. The writer of the reference should always be someone who can speak only to the candidate’s best qualities Avoid private details – even though the reference letter should go into detail about the relationship with the candidate, it should never go deeper than that. It should be kept professional, and should never share any personal struggles or intimate matters Proofread and edit – the character reference letter, just like any other document, should be thoroughly checked for any errors and edited before being sent out. It is always a great idea to also ask a friend or a family member to double-check it Example of a character reference letter And finally, as promised, we are going to provide you with a great example of a character reference letter to get you started when starting to write one yourself. Dear Hiring Manager, I have known Jane Doe for almost five years. We met while studying in the same academic institution years ago, and she offered to help me out with my small startup. Jane is one of the most hard-working, dedicated, and innovative people I have ever known. She is also compassionate, and always ready to help others. Once while we are still attending Cambridge university, a lecturer of hers got really sick, and as she was a soon-to-be graduate, stepped in and taught their lecture until they got better, sacrificing her own time to prepare for her final exams. Jane is the type of person that you can always count on to remain calm during a stressful situation, and help to find the most efficient solution to a problem. For all these reasons, I recommend Jane Doe for the marketing specialist position, and I believe she would greatly help your company grow and improve. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me any time. Sincerely, John Johnson +44 1632 960133 john.johnson@gmail.com Takeaways We are all done, now you know who to ask for a character reference letter, and how to write a compelling one when someone asks you to. Let’s go through all the essential parts a reference should include: Explanation of the relationship to the candidate – a great way to start off a reference letter is to share some detail about how you know the candidate Information about how you know you have known the candidate – that information only strengthens any information you share further on in the reference letter Highlights of positive qualities, backed up with specific examples – once you have showed the connection to the candidate, you would like to get to the point and show why they would be a great fit for the position they are applying for End with a statement of a recommendation and contact details – you would want to wrap up the reference with a recommendation and at least two pieces of contact information Take one last look at our example of a compelling character reference letter, and prepare yourself to help your fellow get their next job.
If you are seeking a new job, you might find yourself receiving lots of rejections of your application documents. And the fact is, most of the time it is not really your fault. Most hiring managers can receive hundreds of applications on a daily basis, spend no more than 5–6 seconds on each, so if you want to have a chance – you need to grab their attention right away. But you might be asking yourself – how is it even possible to grab someone’s attention that quickly, and what should my CV look like? We are here to help you out. And you need to prepare as the road is long, and has no shortcuts, but once you finish it, you will drastically improve your job-seeking process. In this article, we are going to find out the answers of the following questions: What is a CV? How long should a CV be? How to format a CV just right? How to craft a CV section by section? And we are going to wrap things up with a great example of what your CV should look like in the end in order to help you out with your own. If you want to get an even better end result, you should try using our CV Builder and create a unique and eye-catching design in no time. But firstly, make sure you read on and learn all the essential specifics of creating a great CV. What is a CV? Before we go any further, let’s get one thing straight – what exactly is a CV? CV is short for “curriculum vitae” which, in Latin, means “course of life”, and is a professional document that highlights your work experience, education, and skills. A CV can also include any of the following (and more): Accomplishments Professional references Coursework Projects Certificates Hobbies and interests Awards The important thing you need to remember is that no matter what information you decide to include in your CV, it should be relevant to the job position you are applying for. How long should a CV be? The first thing you need to keep in mind to make your CV as attractive as possible is to mind your CV’s length. Usually that application document should be kept between 2 and 3 pages long. However, in recent years, there is a tendency to shorten your CV to just 1 page, which makes it easier to scan by the hiring manager. Keeping your CV shorter can effectively improve your chances of getting selected for an interview, as the hiring manager would be more willing to give your CV a read if it is just 1 page long. However, there are exceptions to that. For example, if you are applying for a position in an academic institution, make sure your CV is as long as necessary to include all your accomplishments and other important details. To make sure you don’t shorten your CV when you should not, check out the job posting once again to look for any clues about that. How to format a CV just right? Now that you know how long your CV should be, let’s focus on the next essential detail – your CV’s formatting. The fact is, the hiring manager would first see how your document is formatted and then decide whether to invest any time in it. Don’t worry, you can improve your CV’s formatting in just 3 simple steps. Choose proper font and size Choosing the proper font and font size if crucial when crafting your CV, as you would want to improve your document’s readability as much as possible. To get the best result, make sure you select a sans-serif font with size of between 10 and 11 points. Some great fonts that you should consider for your CV are: Arial Calibri Helvetica And one last thing – make sure you keep your font and sizes consistent throughout your CV. The only places that you can allow yourself to change these are in section titles. Check your margins The second thing you should always keep in mind that you should all times have some white space on your CV and let it breathe. To achieve that, you should mind your documents margins, and make sure there are not too large, or too small. If you don’t want your CV to seem distracting or off-putting, set your margins anywhere between 0.5 and 1 inch. Use your space wisely After you have taken care of the white space on your CV, you should also mind how you organize the space that actually contains your information. To improve your CV’s readability, try using the following techniques: Use bullet lists – these are usually easier to perceive by humans, so that would make your CV more appealing and easy-to-read Use section headers – you should distinguish your section headers by using different font size, making them bolder, or even using a different font Bold keywords – your CV will become more appealing and improve the chances to be read altogether if you bold strategic words throughout it. These can be your name, job titles, as well as any essential skills How to craft a CV section by section? And now that you know all the basics for initially grabbing the hiring manager’s attention, let’s have a look at all the essential sections in your CV, as you would want to keep impressing them, no matter where their eyes go. Contact information Let’s start from the top of your CV – your contact information. Some people might say that this is the most important section in your entire CV. And this is partially true – even if you got everything else right, if your contact information is not there, or is poorly entered, the hiring manager might be unable to contact you. So don’t rush through it, and make sure you consider every detail that you can add in there: Your full name – this is obviously a must. The generally accepted format is First Name, Last Name Phone number – this is one of the main forms of communication that the hiring manager might choose. If you are applying for a job outside your country, make sure you also include the country code Email address – this is the other most preferred way for hiring managers to contact candidates. Here, it is essential for you to use a professional email address. The best way to go is firstname.lastname@gmail.com Location – this is not mandatory information to add, but if you think that your location can benefit your application, or if you want to discuss relocation possibilities, you should consider adding it in. However, make sure not to overshare that information – city and country are more than enough LinkedIn – sharing a link to your profile in the biggest professional network is always a good idea, as long as your profile is complete and optimized, as it should be GitHub / Stack Overflow – if you are a developer looking for new job opportunities, you should not skip out on showing off your previous projects Medium – the same goes for freelance writers and bloggers CV summary or objective The first actual piece of information you can offer the hiring manager in your CV is your CV summary or CV objective. These sections are the perfect way for you to leave a great first impression, and make the hiring manager keep on reading your CV until the end. You can consider your CV summary or objective like a 2-3 sentence long elevation pitch where you present all your best qualities and why you are the right person for the job. Generally, if you have more than 2 years of experience in the field you are applying for, you should go for a CV summary, which should include: Previous jobs and work experience Relevant achievements and responsibilities You professional goals Strong sentences showing how your experience can benefit the company you are applying for However, if you are changing fields of work, or you are a recent graduate and don’t have much experience yet, you should opt for a CV objective, which should include: Education, certificates, and skills, relevant to the job position you are applying for Types of responsibilities you have previously taken on How you can apply your knowledge and skills Your motivation for getting in the field you are applying for Work experience The most crucial section of your CV is probably your work experience, as that’s what hiring managers are mainly interested in. No matter if they went through your CV summary or objective first, your work experience section should be as impressive as possible (while, of course, sticking to the truth). To perfect your CV’s work experience section, you should keep a specific formatting for each entry in it, as it follows: Job title Name of the company Location of the company Description of the company Dates of employment Bullet list of your achievements and responsibilities A common mistake many candidates have in their work experience section is that they fill up their bullet lists mainly with responsibilities. But the fact is, the hiring manager would probably be well aware of what your position’s responsibilities are. You should use your bullet list more effectively, and fill it with great achievements that you have had in each position, as that would come across as much more impressive, and would effectively improve your chances. Skills Another essential part of your CV is your skills section. When crafting it, and deciding which skills you should add in, you should not only consider what is listed in the job posting, but also add a good mix of hard and soft skills. We will show you a quick distinction between the two types, just in case: Hard skills – these are mainly technical skills that can be measured and are directly connected to your work-related tasks Soft skills – these are learnt skills, including your personal attributes, like leadership, communication, etc. When listing your skills, make sure you can back them up with your professional experience, and provide a measurement and results achieved for each. Education The final essential section of your CV that you should never skip out on including is your education section. Just like the work experience section, you should follow a strict structure for your entries: Degree and Speciality Name of the academic institution Years attended If you are a more recent graduate, you can also include a couple of additional details, like: Grade Honours Academic achievements Minor To get the best out of your education section, make sure you consider the following: If you have little or no work experience, you should consider putting your education section first (right after your CV objective) If you have a university degree, you can omit your high school Only mention your grade if it is a good one Language skills Even though it would not be mandatory to know any languages other than your mother tongue, it can always come in handy to share any language skills on your CV. As many companies are international nowadays, knowing some languages is a great way to stand out in front of the competition. Listing any languages you know is simple – you just state the language, and write down your proficiency in it, using the following categories: Native Fluent Proficient Intermediate Basic Hobbies and interests What we were looking at so far were only sections that show some experience, skills, or knowledge. However, there are sections that you can include in your CV, that actually show some of your personality, like the section Hobbies and interests. This also comes in handy, as hiring managers would like to know not only who you are as a professional, but also who you are as a person. Furthermore, showing hobbies and interests on your CV can actually show your general discipline and commitment. Example of what your CV should look like And now, as promised, let’s have a look at what your CV should look like in the end in order to grab the hiring manager’s attention: Takeaways We are all done, now you should have a good idea of what your CV should look like. Let’s go through all the important points one more time: Your CV should be between 1 and 3 pages long, but in most cases, you would like to keep it to 1 page Your CV should be well formatted, as you would like it to have good readability All your CV sections should be formatted properly: Contact information – should include your full name, phone number, and professional email address as a minimum, but you can also add some additional details as well CV summary or objective – you should write one of these to show who you are to the hiring manager in just 2–3 sentences and persuade them to keep on reading Work experience – make sure you list all your relevant experience, following the model that is expected from hiring managers Skills – include a good mix of soft and hard skills, following the job description for the job you are applying for Education – list your relevant education, following the model the hiring manager would be expecting Language skills – show off any languages you know and your level of proficiency, as many companies are now international, and more languages are always a plus Hobbies and interests – if you have some space available on your CV, you can also show off some of your personality Now, have a look at our example of what your CV should look like one last time, and make the best out of your own CV.
In today’s competitive job market, most companies receive tons of applications on a monthly basis. And the fact is, hiring managers simply don’t have the time to go through all of them carefully. That’s why, most hiring managers only scan each application for about 5–6 seconds before deciding whether to keep on reading. So, you can easily imagine how crucial it is to grab the hiring manager’s attention right away. One of the best ways to grab the hiring manager’s attention is by crafting an effective summary for your CV. However, you might ask yourself many questions about it. We are here to help you by exploring the following questions: What is a CV summary? Why is a CV summary important? How to write a CV summary? And we are going to wrap things up by providing you with some great CV summary examples to get you started on your own. So, if it all sounds good, let’s dive in. What is a CV summary? Before we go any further, you need to first understand what exactly is a CV summary. A CV summary is the first section of your CV, placed right after your contact information. And as its name might tell you, it is a summary of everything you have showcased throughout your CV. It should mainly focus on your work experience, skills, and qualities. A good CV summary should be about 3–4 sentences long, and should include the following information: Your years of work experience and current job title A short list of your biggest achievements A short list of your most important and relevant skills Why is a CV summary important? Now that you know what a CV summary is, let’s think about why is it actually significant. As we mentioned before, companies receive tons of application – they can receive hundreds of applications for a single position. This makes the process of reviewing whether candidates are fit for the job very time-consuming. To make the task more manageable, many hiring managers choose to scan through the CVs rather than read each one carefully. And that’s where your CV summary plays an essential role to increase your chances of getting the job. As your CV summary summarizes your work experience and all your qualities, it is the perfect short section to grab the hiring manager’s attention and make them keep on reading. How to write a CV summary? Now that you know what a CV summary is and why it is so crucial to take the time to craft it well, it is time to learn how to do so. You can achieve a great result for your CV summary in just 5 simple steps. Carefully read through the job description Before you start crafting your CV summary, it is essential for you to take the time and read carefully through the job description one more time. The reason for that is that you would want to tailor your CV according to each and every job position you apply for to maximize your chances. Make sure you use the same keywords as the job posting, and mention all the key skills the hiring manager would be looking for in your CV summary. You need to make sure that the hiring manager would be able to spot that you meet all the job’s criteria from a quick glance. Specify your current job position No matter your reasons for seeking new job opportunities, you should definitely mention your current job and responsibilities. You can only get further ahead with that information, as it can show strong work ethic, even if you are working in an unrelated field. However, there are other situations that we should also cover, in case you are not currently employed. If you are currently a full-time student, you would want to focus on your field of study and concentration. And finally, if you are currently unemployed for a different reason, you can always highlight any volunteer work or other activities you take part in. Highlight your past work and academic experiences As your work experience is arguably the most important part of your CV, you need to make sure you highlight its best entries in your CV summary as well. However, make sure you don’t just copy your whole work experience section there. Remember – the CV summary should be 3–4 sentences long, so focus only on the most relevant. In case you don’t have extensive work experience, or you don’t have any relevant entries for the position you are applying for, you can always consider highlighting some of your academic past in the same manner. Showcase your skills set Once you have already highlighted your work and/or academic experiences, it is time to also include some information from the last crucial section from your CV – your skills. This is especially important if you are applying for a position in information technology, engineering, or any other scientific field. For these roles, you would want to highlight all the relevant technical skills you possess, and you can also mention any soft skills or personality traits if you consider them relevant. Mention a key professional achievement Finally, you would like to end your CV summary strong, and to do so in the best way, you can always mention a key professional achievement. When choosing what achievement to share, make sure it is official and measurable, so that you would be able to prove actual results to the hiring manager. If you have won any awards, you should definitely share these too, as they can be great evidence of your expertise. CV summary examples And now, as promised, we have prepared for you some CV summary examples to get you started on your own. To make it even easier on you, we have prepared one for a few sectors that you might be interested in. Information technologyEngineeringProject managementFinanceTakeaways We are all done, now you understand what a CV summary is, why is it important, and how to craft one perfectly. Let’s go through all the steps you need to take to craft the perfect CV summary one more time: Carefully read through the job description – make sure you use keywords from it and highlight skills that the hiring manager would be looking for Specify your current job position – or if you are currently a student, or unemployed, mention your relevant activities Highlight your past work and academic experiences – this way you focus on the most essential information the hiring manager would be most interested in right from the start Showcase your skills set – add in your top relevant skills, so that the hiring manager would know that you are the right person for the job Mention a key professional achievement – finally, showcase a great achievement of yours, but make sure it if official and measurable, so that you can prove it Now that you know all that, it is time for you to craft your own CV summary, and grab the hiring managers’ attention in no time.