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Welcome to our blog! Here, you'll read our thoughts, tips, and lessons learned from five years of building CVs to feel proud of.
14 Essential Questions to Ask at the End of Your Interview (And 3 to Avoid)
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.
How to Write a Compelling Character Reference (Example & Guide for 2023)
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.
What Your CV Should Look Like in 2023
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.
Crafting an Effective Summary for Your CV (Examples & Guide for 2023)
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.
Understanding the Different Sections in Your CV - Guide for 2023
Writing your CV might seem like an easy task at first – you just list all your relevant information, and you are ready to go. However, that’s far away from the truth. There are plenty of factors you need to take into account to make your CV stand out and grab the recruiter’s attention. In this article, we are going to help you get the best out of your CV by exploring the following questions: What section you should have on your CV? What order should you put your CV sections in? What goes where – the difference between sections in your CV If you want to take the extra step, and make your CV even better, you should definitely check out our CV Builder. But if you are ready to get a better understanding of the different sections in your CV, let’s dive in. What sections you should have on your CV? Every CV consists of the same basics in the face of the most essential sections that would showcase you in the best light possible in front of the recruiter. The sections that are an absolute must in your CV are: Contact information CV summary / objective Work experience Education Skills However, your CV can really benefit from some extra information, as long as it is relevant to the position you are applying for. Some sections you can consider adding in your CV, if you have anything to show in them, are: Certifications Language skills Additional training and courses Publications Awards Projects And if you still have some blank space in your CV, you can consider adding in some less relevant sections that would show off your personality to the recruiter. Such sections are: Volunteer work Hobbies and interests Extracurricular Activities Blogging and influencing What order should you put your CV sections in? Now that you know all the sections you need in your CV, there is one detail we need to explore before diving into the specifics of each section. It is extremely important to order your CV sections just right, as that’s how you present yourself to the recruiter. You might think that there is a universal way to do so, but the truth is – it all depends on what you want to draw the most attention to. We are going to explore the three most common situations and what order you should use for each in your CV. If you are an experience professional looking for their next job opportunity following your career path: Contact information CV summary / objective Work experience Certifications (Optional) Education Skills Additional sections However, if you are fresh out of college and have little or no work experience yet, you would want to use a slightly different order for your CV sections: Contact information CV summary / objective Education Work experience (make sure you include internships and volunteer work here as well) Skills Additional sections The last most common scenario we would like to have a look at is when you have taken on a career change. In that case, follow this order for your CV sections: Contact information CV summary / objective Relevant work experience Additional work experience (Optional) Education Skills Additional sections Understanding the different sections in your CV Now that you know what are the most essential sections in your CV, and what is the right order for them depending on your situation, it is time to dig deeper in what you should include in them. Contact information The first essential section of your CV is your contact information. As a minimum, you should list your: Full name Phone number Email address When listing your email address, make sure you use a professional one, as you wouldn’t want to look silly. The best way to go is to use your names in your email address and host it in GMail, or another well-known email provider. A format like “firstname.lastname@gmail.com” is the most common and well perceived by recruiters. However, you can also add in much more contact information about yourself. If you think it would present you in a good light, you can also list your: LinkedIn profile City and/or country you live in Professional website Other social media What you need to keep in mind is that you would want to look professional in the eyes of the recruiter, so don’t add any social media profiles that would make you look anything else. CV summary / CV objective Right below your contact information should come the first essential information that the recruiter would read. It can be in a form of a CV summary or CV objective, but either way, it should catch the recruiter’s attention. It is crucial to write a good statement there that is also relevant to the position you are applying for, as that’s the point where the recruiter would decide whether to keep reading your CV. You might ask yourself what is the difference between a CV summary and a CV objective, so let’s have a quick look at that: A CV summary is a 3-4 sentence summary of your work history. It should include: Professional title Years of experience Top 1–2 achievements Most relevant skills A CV objective is a 3-4 sentence summary of your professional goals and educational background. It should include: Your current situation The position you are applying for Relevant educational background Relevant skills Work experience In most cases, the most important part of your CV is your previous work experience. Recruiters are highly interested in that, as it shows that you can get the job done, as you have done before. To write your work experience section correctly, you first need to remember that you should add entries in reverse-chronological order. And as for the entries themselves, make sure each consist of: Position name Company name Dates of employment Bullet points with your best achievements and responsibilities If possible, make sure you fill your bullet list mainly with achievements, as they are much more impressive in the eyes of the recruiters. Also, what you would like to omit in your work experience section are any: Short-term jobs (unless you have very little work experience) Explanations of employment gaps Tables, images, or charts Education Another essential part of your CV that you should not omit is your Education. Depending on your work experience, it can be more or less important to make your CV strong. In case you are a recent graduate, you would like to include more details and academic accomplishments. But if you already have some extensive work experience behind you, simply stating the institutions and some basic information about your education would be enough. Check out the information you can add in each of your education entries, and decide how much you would like to focus on your education. Each entry can consist of: Degree and speciality Name of the academic institution Dates attended Grade (if you include it, make sure it is high) Honours Academic achievements Courses taken Skills The last essential section of your CV is the one used to describe all your soft and hard skills. What you would want to do here is make a list of all the skills you possess, and decide which ones are most relevant to the position you are applying for. Also, make sure you have a realistic view on your level of proficiency for each skill, as you would want to share that information in your CV, and you would want it to be true. When deciding between the number of soft and hard skills to include in your CV, you should keep the balance between the two. However, recruiters are more likely to search for hard skills on your documents, so make sure there is at least a small prevail on those. Takeaways We are all done, now you understand the different sections in your CV. You now know which sections are essential on your CV, and which ones you can skip. You also know how to order your CV depending on your current situation and the effect you would like to have on the recruiter with your CV. Let’s also go through all the essential sections, and what we learnt about them: Contact information – it is essential to add at least your name, phone number, and a professional-looking email address, so that the recruiter can reach out to you CV summary / CV objective – it depends on your needs which one you would pick, but either way it needs to be attention-catching, as that is the first thing the recruiter would read on your CV Work experience – this is arguably the most important section of your CV, and you need to make it as impressive as possible with all your past work-related accomplishments Education – depending on your past work experience, this section can be less or more important, but it is still essential to list your educational background Skills – last but not least, you need to list your most relevant soft and hard skills for the position you are applying for. Make sure you keep the balance between the two, but also give a little prevail to the hard skills, as these are what the recruiters would be looking for Now that you know all that, you are ready to make your CV the best it can be.
How to List References on Your CV (Tips & Examples for 2023)
When applying for a new position, employers will request you to provide a CV that will show all your experience, skills, education, and any other relevant information. But no matter how strong you make your CV, you can always take an extra step to help your chances a little further. A great way to do so is by providing your potential employer with a CV reference, or maybe a few. But that might be easier said than done, as many questions might arise in your head. We are here to help you by exploring the following questions: What are references on a CV? When should you include references on your CV? When shouldn’t you include references on your CV? How to include references on your CV? And we are going to end strong with a great template you can use on your own CV to list all your references. If you need some help crafting your overall CV, you might want to check out our CV Builder. But if you are ready to learn when and how to list references on your CV, let’s begin. What are references on a CV? The first thing we need to do is understand what are references on a CV. References are a block of contact information for people in your CV, who the recruiter can contact to confirm information in your CV, like character, skills, and work experience. Recruiters like using these, as a great deal of people lie on their CV. If you provide references on your CV, the recruiter will most likely either call or email them with questions like: What is their relationship to you? Are you a good employee? Will you be a good fit for the job you are applying for? Why did you leave your job with them? When should you include references on your CV? There are some cases when you should list your references on your CV, and some cases when you should omit them. Instances when you would want to include your references on your CV are: The employer requested it – if an employer requests a reference list from you, you should absolutely include one You have some great references which can help you get further in your hiring process – in that case it can only help you to list your references, which can be connected to a promotion at work, awards you received, authored or co-authored a publication, etc You have additional space on your CV – you can fill the empty part of your CV by adding awards or accomplishments, but if you still have some blank space, you should consider also adding in a reference list However, if you decide to list some references, you first need to remember that they come from professionals who have an unbiased opinion of your work performance. Some professionals to consider for your reference list are: Past and current employers Managers and team leaders Colleagues Business partners Coaches Professors When shouldn’t you include references on your CV? Now that you know the basics cases when you should include your references on your CV, it is time to review the opposite case – when should you omit them? The main reasons for you to want to leave your references out of your CV are: You don’t have enough appropriate reference – employers use CV reference lists to double-check your abilities and qualifications with people you have worked with. But providing a list of only 2 or 3 references would not really help them with that, so you should consider leaving it out References are not required early in the application process – sometimes the hiring processes differ from each other, and so references might be asked from you on a next step. You might want to wait and see, and keep your reference for your interview You don’t have enough space on your CV – when crafting your CV, make sure you first add the most important experience, qualifications, and any sections that would help you get the job. The reference section should absolutely not take the place of a more essential one. References are not relevant for the job industry you are applying for – references are not applicable for every job position you apply for, so make sure you first do your research, and find out if it might be expected of you to include them How to include references on your CV? And if you have decided that including references on your CV would help you in the hiring process, it is essential for you to know how to do it right. To achieve the best results, you need to follow just 5 simple steps: Ask permission – make sure you check with the every person you want to add to your reference list, so that you would be sure they are comfortable speaking about your professional qualifications Write the reference’s full name and current job title – for each entry in your references section, make sure you first write their full name, and then on the next line write their job title. Make sure you first check with each of your references on that, so that you would be sure you have an up-to-date information Add company and work address – on the next line, add your reference’s company name and work address. Make sure you add their work address, and not their personal one List your reference’s phone number and email – next, you would want to make your references easily accessible, so make sure you include their current phone number and email address Add a short description – finally, you would want your potential employer to know how do you know this person. Make sure you make it short, you only need to state if you were co-workers, worked on a project together, studied together, etc. Template for listing references on your CV And, as promised, we are going to wrap things up with a great template you can use to make it easier on yourself when listing references on your CV. [Reference’s full name] [Job title] [Company name] [Company address / Reference’s work address] [Reference’s phone number] [Reference’s email address] [Short description] Takeaways We are all done, now you know when and how to include references on your CV. Before you add your references section to your CV, remember to always weight whether you need it or not. But if you decide to add it in, don’t forget to follow all the steps we shared with you: Ask permission from your reference to add them in List their full name and job title Add their company name and work address Include their phone number and email address End with a short description of how you know each other Now take a look at your CV, and the industry you are applying for, and make the best of that information.
How to List Qualifications on Your CV (Tips & Examples for 2023)
A great CV contains a lot of important information. It shows potential employers why you’re the right candidate for the job. Qualifications carry a lot of weight on your CV. Companies may require that employees have certain qualifications to fill a position. Don’t miss an opportunity by leaving out key qualifications on your CV! Qualifications provide evidence of your suitability for a role and highlight your knowledge in particular areas. Types of qualifications listed on your CV will vary based on your experience and role. This can include academic, vocational, and professional qualifications. Read below for our guide on how to list qualifications on your CV and browse examples for inspiration. When you’re ready, use our CV builder to create your own CV today. Listing academic qualifications on your CV with templates Academic qualifications are a key element of your CV. Depending on your role and level, a degree or certification may be a requirement. The academic qualification section of your CV doesn’t typically contain much detail. In most cases, only the awarding institution and the name of the qualification is necessary. You may also choose to include the location and the date achieved. Dates are especially relevant if it is the type of certification that requires renewal every few years. The position of your academic qualifications section depends on their importance in relation to your target job. If the job you’re applying to lists a particular degree as a requirement, your education section should be somewhere eye-catching like at the top. Here is an example of a CV that highlights your academic qualification section. This candidate lists their education at the natural start of the reader’s eye line so it will be noticed immediately. If education is relevant to the job but not a priority, it’s okay to put it toward the bottom of your CV. Here is an example of a CV that lists academic qualifications at the bottom. This candidate focuses on their work experience and strengths before they get to their academic qualifications. Click on either of these CV examples to use them as a template and add your own information in our CV builder. There are a few factors to consider when including qualifications that you haven’t completed yet. If you are in pursuit of certification for a particular skill and your target job requires expertise, you may want to leave it off your CV until you have completed it. Potential employers will want to see that you have achieved proficiency. Alternatively, education in progress shows commitment to growth and experience in a particular field or skill. If you are in pursuit of a degree, you can include the name of the degree and issuing institution. For dates attended, you can list the start date and write the end date as “ongoing” or use the anticipated completion date. Here is one example of listing academic qualifications that are in progress. Listing vocational qualifications on a CV with examples Vocational qualifications highlight practical skills and industry knowledge. They show potential employers that you’re experienced in your field and qualified to do the job. Vocational jobs are skilled labour positions that utilise a very specific skill. Examples of vocational careers include construction, automotive mechanics, commercial driving, and landscaping. Requirements for vocational jobs are generally more focused on training in specific skills rather than a university degree. Often a specific certificate or licence is required. Perhaps you attended a vocational school or learned skills in the field as an apprentice. Or maybe you have obtained a licence for a particular job. Highlighting vocational qualifications on a CV is crucial for vocational jobs. If you have achieved results in the field using your specialised skills, you can show this in your work experience. Here is an example of a CV experience section that highlights vocational skills. If you have certificates or licences in your field that make you qualified for the job, definitely include them in your CV! Companies will see that you are committed to your career and have already saved them the trouble of going through the certification process. Here is an example of a certification section in a CV. You may have obtained vocational skills in a formal training or course that did not result in an official certification. This should still be included on your CV as it shows skill development and experience in a specialised area. Here is an example of a section for training and courses on a CV. Remember to keep your certifications up to date and continually improve your skills. Update your CV so that it is always an accurate representation of you. Listing professional qualifications on a CV Professional qualifications demonstrate a commitment to continued learning and specialisation in your field. This is especially helpful as you advance in your career and aim to achieve high-level positions. Companies want employees who are dedicated to their industry and will grow in their roles. Showing your commitment with a professional degree or qualification will make you a stand-out candidate. There are some similarities between vocational qualifications and professional qualifications. You may even have some overlap of the two in your specific situation. The main difference is that vocational qualifications focus on a specific skill or job function, whereas professional qualifications focus on your career as a whole. For example, becoming a lawyer requires professional qualifications. Lawyers attend years of school, pass exams, and obtain a licence before being professionally qualified to practise law. Tailoring qualifications on your CV to job applications If you’ve had a long career working different types of jobs, you probably have many qualifications to choose from. Always tailor your CV to fit your target job. This includes qualifications. If you have many, only include the ones that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. For example, if you have a certification to teach English but are applying for an accounting job, there is no reason to include it in your CV. Irrelevant information just takes up space on your CV and overwhelms potential employers who are trying to get a clear idea of the type of candidate you are. If you do have several relevant qualifications, determine how you want to rank them on your CV. Present them in a way that highlights the qualifications most important to the job. Maybe you want to order them by relevance or prestige. Do a bit of research on your target company and industry. Be sure your CV highlights your most relevant qualifications and skills. Key takeaways for listing qualifications on your CV Showcase qualifications on your CV to show potential employers why you’re the right candidate for the job. Position academic qualifications on your CV depending on their importance in relation to the job. Keep education details minimal and include only what is relevant. Highlight vocational qualifications for jobs focused on specialised skills. Include vocational school training, apprentice experience, and certifications. Include professional qualifications on your CV to show dedication to your industry and commitment to growing your career. Always update your CV with the most current information and only include information that is relevant to your target job. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Should I include qualifications that aren't relevant to the job I'm applying for? There is no need to include qualifications that are irrelevant to the job you’re applying for. This will only take up space and make your CV overwhelming to the reader. If you are changing careers, do include transferable skills. This will show how experience in your past roles will be helpful in your desired role. How should I list qualifications if I've recently returned to education? If you have recently returned to education and want to list it on your CV, you can list the date of completion as ongoing or the anticipated end date. Additional qualifications outside education that are relevant to your target job should be included on your CV.
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