What is your goal when sending your CV?

The first and only objective: to secure an interview with the company. Your CV is your entry ticket to the position you aim to occupy. For the initial screening, the recruiter will spend about 10 seconds on it. In that short time, they will check your name, current role, previous positions, the duration of each experience, and your education. So, what and how should you present to make your CV catch the recruiter’s attention and make them want to learn more about you?

Content Guidelines:

• Your name: same as the one that will allow them to find you on LinkedIn

• A clear title: defining who you are professionally, or simply the title of the position you are aiming for.

• Your professional experience: list from the most recent to the oldest, specifying the industry, team size, and the main responsibilities and quantified achievements for each role. It is not necessary to copy the content of each job description, but to demonstrate the value you personally brought to the position.

• Target relevant achievements: focus on accomplishments that match the profile the recruiter is seeking, using relevant keywords. Detailing every experience is not necessary; your goal is to give the information that brings you closer to the desired profile. This is why we say there is no one-size-fits-all CV: one CV = one position.

• Your technical and language skills are as important as your experiences. Similarly, include short-term trainings, MOOCs, or e-learning courses that have strengthened your expertise.

• Extracurricular activities: include activities that develop or demonstrate transferable personal qualities (volunteering, mentoring young people, etc.).

• And of course, your contact details: phone and email for quick reach. Be careful with personal contacts that go through someone else (e.g., a spouse), as this gives a bad impression.

Finally, ensure that the information on your LinkedIn profile and your CV is consistent.

Optional or unnecessary entries :

CURRICULUM VITAE : Of course, it’s obvious that the document is a CV, even if you don’t write it. Including this takes up space and adds no additional information about you. The same applies to name, first name, and address.

Date of birth: optional. You may indicate your age, but the recruiter does not need to know your exact birth date.

Marital status and number of children: again, this does not reflect your skills, and you can mention it during your personal pitch in an interview if relevant.

Professional references: they will only be contacted once you have passed several stages in the process; listing them on your CV is not necessarily relevant. You can, however, provide them in a thank-you email after the first interview.

CV format guidelines:

Make your CV visually appealing by using color, layout, and a readable, professional font. Highlight the most relevant information through size, format, and emphasis.

Length: Limit your CV to one page if you have relatively little experience. If you have held multiple positions, 2 to 3 pages are acceptable, as long as the content is substantial and not filled with irrelevant information.

Format: Choose PDF to ensure visual quality and a stable printable version.

Is your CV ready? Have a third party review it to make sure there are no typos or spelling errors.