10 tips for writing a CV

The work market is from day to day returning to its former condition, the age of the furlough has become one of the past, and this implies only one thing: the time has come to look for a job. The sole problem is that you're not the only ones in this situation. The competition for jobs isn't simple, and often in order to be accepted you have to give a better appearance than other candidates. Your visiting card is the CV. This is what will cause the recruiters to decide whether to invite you for an interview and may be decisive when wondering whether or not to recruit you. How do you prepare an excellent CV that will help you get your next job?

Here are ten excellent tips for preparation of a perfect CV:

1. Be credible. Always make sure to be as accurate and reliable as possible. List only those things that you did actually do and the skills that you actually possess, and don't hide significant details. It is reasonable to assume that in the job interview you will be questioned about things that you wrote in the CV, and the worst thing that could happen is that you will be caught out as an unreliable person.

2. Be relevant. Without doubt, professional and employment experience is an advantage during selection for a new position, but not every position that you filled is necessarily relevant for the next job, or will create a positive impression. Your CV indicates not only your experience and talents, but also the ability to distinguish between essential and non-essential matters. It is therefore recommended to include in your CV everything that may testify to your experience, capabilities and relevant qualifications, but not more than that.

3. Emphasize special achievements. Experience is important, but successful experience is even more important. If you are a candidate for a senior or management position, indicate in your CV special professional achievements in your previous jobs ? of course, while avoiding exaggeration and making declarations that you won't be able to support during the interview.

4. Tailor the CV to the position that you are competing for. In continuation of the previous paragraph, it is important to remember that not all the jobs demand the same qualifications. Before you send your CV check the requirements of the position and emphasize those things that in your opinion will help you to be accepted and delete irrelevant items (of course, without contradicting that stated in the first tip).

5. Add a personal request. One of the ways to make your CV more interesting and effective for the job recruiters in the place of work for which you are being selected is to write in a friendly way, at the beginning of the CV or in a separate initial letter, something about yourself: wishes, expectations, current state of employment, etc. A brief text that will help you to stand out, and will help the recruiters to get to know you better.

6. Be brief. This follows on from the previous tip. Take into account that the persons recruiting for the job that you are being selected for have to look at tens or even hundreds of CVs. Turn your CV into one that from the first look and the initial visual inspection will permit understanding what you are doing. Describe with headings and a few sentences every job you have had.

7. But don't be too brief. There is a widespread myth that a CV must not exceed one page. This is certainly not obligatory. On the contrary, candidates with great experience who are competing for senior positions are expected to supply two pages. In a long CV an apposite summary at the beginning, including major capabilities and qualifications, can be very helpful.

8. Emphasize your relative advantage. Try to be creative and think about your unusual abilities, that don't necessarily fit into the customary categories but can help you to stand out more than the other candidates and be given the job: everything that can testify to creativity, originality and/or added value.

9. Maintain a uniform format. There are a variety of formats and styles for CVs: you can write it in chronological order or by various categories, or, alternatively, by means of points that emphasize, by order of importance, your relevant experience. One way or another, it is important to maintain uniformity in the format and style in order to prevent confusion and to ensure that reading the CV will be clear and easy.

10. Forget about letters of recommendation. This is unnecessary and only makes the CV more bulky. No-one reads them at this stage. Furthermore, there's nothing like phoning those giving the recommendation to hear the tone, to ask questions that specifically interest the interviewer, instead of getting a text prepared in advance. The sentence "recommendations will be supplied on request" is also unnecessary. If the interviewer needs them, obviously he will ask for them. And the last point: To attach a photo to the CV? Certainly not.