For whatever reason you are looking for a new job, it is a good idea to leave your CV with headhunters, recruitment and selection agencies, but also on the internet, the enormous databases where CVs are linked to vacant positions. Finally, a good CV on a specialized internet website can also get you a call from someone who is looking for that one man or woman. If you put your resume on the internet, make sure it is in the right place. The Monsterboards, Stepstones, National Job Boards and Indeeds of this world, they all want you to use their website. This means to search yourself and be found by recruiters. Especially for the latter, it is good to leave a correct CV. If you really sit down and put it down, putting a good CV on paper turns out to be not that easy. Not infrequently, people are called by recruiters or online matches are made with positions that are not suitable at all.
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Covering writing and summary text
Summary text
Various websites provide space for summary text and it makes sense to use it. Please state briefly and concisely:
- Who are you
- Where are your skills?
- What are you looking for and what not
If the website doesn’t allow space for a summary, include one in your resume. After the usual personal details, a summary of approximately five lines can be an excellent start to a CV.
Enthusiasm
Enthusiasm is picked up by a good recruiter, even if it is only words (which can be reinforced verbally later in a personal conversation). When writing, think about the pleasure you get from your work. Then read the written text again at least once and pay attention to unnecessary words. Does a word add something to the sentence (in the accompanying text) or the overall picture? If this is not immediately the case, leave it out. Many people are quickly inclined to ‘keep writing’ out of enthusiasm. Try to prevent this.
Motivation and ambition
Naturally, motivation and ambition are important items. What motivates you in your position, what are you fully committed to and of course where do you want to go (try to keep the text close to yourself, that makes it more personal). That does not have to be a goal for twenty years from now, but what do you want to grow towards does say something. That may well be something you have in mind as a goal within a period of, for example, five years.
General
Don’t make sentences that are too long. If this is your writing style, make sure there are commas in the right places. This is a bit easier to read. Write flawlessly and invitingly. You immediately have an advantage if you have an easy-to-read CV.
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The resume itself
Personal details
A CV starts with personal details that provide a neat summary. Some people add a BSN, but that is not necessary. As people get older, they sometimes want to forget about their age. However, this often gives reason to think that someone is older and people ultimately want to know. As annoying as it is, you are sometimes judged on your age and not on your knowledge and skills. You see a photo next to your personal details more and more often and it is certainly recommended. If necessary, a short summary can be placed under your personal details.
Education and experience
Start with your education and the most recent at the top and then go back in time. Education, diploma and possible subjects. Take subsequent courses and follow the example of the training as much as possible. Sometimes courses are not relevant to work, for example something to do in your spare time. However, this can affect a position and a recruiter can say something. In any case, don’t leave it out blindly.
Your work experience is affected. Start with your current job and work back in time. Use no more than roughly four or five lines for each work. Make sure it contains key words about what you did in that position. If you manage people, indicate how extensive your management is/was. Your total group with reports and possibly an intermediate layer with direct reports.
Languages
Briefly indicate which languages you speak, divided into spoken and written.
Side activities
Your side activities can also say something about you as a person and it is useful to briefly list them. This could be a hobby, but also serving on a board or sporting activities.
Finally
A resume should not be full of lines and colors. At most, you can place a bolder letter when describing your functions, the job name and the company. This can make it a little clearer and therefore pleasant to read. Ideally, a CV should not be longer than two pages.
Good luck with the job hunt!