A modern CV is created according to different guidelines than most of us learned in school. The most modern option is of course to create a digital CV and send the link to it to the desired new employer (Prezi is suitable for this). But if you think that is too modern and you would prefer something in writing, here is an explanation of how to create a modern CV.
Personal information
- Name:
- Address:
- Telephone: always ensure that you are easily accessible.
- Mobile:
- E-mail: a business e-mail address, no strange things like [email protected], which does not seem very professional.
- Born: Don’t forget to mention this. Only people over 55 do not mention a date of birth to prevent age discrimination. If you do not mention this, you already know in which category you will be placed.
If it is not clear from your name whether you are a man or a woman, please state this in your personal details. Nowadays, civil status is usually not mentioned unless it is relevant, for example if you have been away for a few years to take care of the children.
Profile
Briefly explain what you are good at and what your ambitions are. No more than five sentences. Think of things that employers like to hear (good communication skills, performance-oriented, integrity, loyalty (if you have worked for the same employer for more than 10 years you can call it that), strategic thinking, creative, up to date with the latest developments, innovative, good listening skills, independent, team player, etc.). You can mention everything that is positive and belongs to your personality here.
Course
You should only mention this here if you have less than five years of work experience. Then, after your education, you also separately mention your internships and relevant part-time jobs. If you have more than five years of work experience, part-time jobs and internships are no longer relevant unless you make a strange career switch that ties in with an internship or part-time job.
Work experience
Start with your last job and then go back in time. Indicate from year to year, the job title, the name of the company (preferably with a hyperlink to that company). Below is a brief description of your tasks and responsibilities (three to four is sufficient). What did you achieve in that position? Have you completed any relevant projects? Did you hold the same position at multiple companies? Then be a little creative and always emphasize other tasks. Try to make sentences, not telegram style.
Explain gaps in your CV, for example by informal care, world travel or children. They are always visible, so it better be clear why. For the same reason, don’t delete jobs from your resume. The older the information, the more concise the description. Work experience from more than five years ago is less relevant and is therefore best summarized.
Course
If you have more than five years of work experience, here is a brief overview of your education (only vocational training and, if only one, secondary school). For example, if you have completed MTS and HTS, leave out secondary education and everything before that.
Courses
A brief overview of any courses taken.
Side activities
Also include the dates, just like with the courses and work experience. Volunteer work, committee job, management, world trip, achieved something in sports. Everything that gives a clear picture of your versatility and what you have achieved on a personal level.
References
Always ask permission in advance if you can use someone as a reference. You can provide references upon request.
Skills, hobbies and the like only if they are important. Nowadays everyone can use a computer, so calling that a skill seems rather clumsy and hobbies are usually irrelevant.