Do you know how to increase your chances in the first stage of selection? Does the structure of a CV matter? What elements will attract the attention of selectors and decision-makers? What is most often missing from CVs but is of key importance to those who evaluate them?
In the recruitment and selection process, both candidates and employers expect a high level of professionalism from the first contact to the final stages. To ensure that both parties are satisfied, I encourage you to read the tips below.
Fortunately, preparing a CV that will interest our company and the employer is not as difficult as it may seem. In our guide, we suggest what to remember so that it has a significant impact on the decision to qualify candidates for the next stages of selection.
1. CV length and file format.
In some recruitment processes, the number of CVs sent may be significant, so you should strive to include information in the form of specific data and information related to the proposed offer. The optimal document size is a maximum of two pages saved in PDF format; you will be guaranteed that your CV will look the same on all computers and will be easily read by various IT programs.
Effective graphics cannot distract from the content. Therefore, it is better to simply bold the most important information in your CV (those that directly refer to the job offer). It is worth remembering that the substantive content is the most important and should not be ‘suppressed’ by colorful patterns and templates, so be moderate in this respect. Use the CV creators available on the Internet.
2. Job title and reference number.
Include the job title and reference number in the email body if applicable, and the job title if provided in the job advertisement – e.g. Regarding: Account Manager (ref. no.: 01/10). The job title and reference number provided in the first part of your CV will make recruiters’ work much easier; sometimes their absence may result in your application being rejected by the IT system or ending up in the wrong place.
3. Photo
You can include a photo in your CV, but it is not a required or essential element. The entire document is intended to make a substantive impression on a potential employer. Special styling for CV purposes is not necessary, but it may be distracting and create an impression that is not in line with your intention.
4. What parts to divide your CV into?
Divide your CV into several sections: personal data, education, professional experience, training and courses, qualifications, skills and competences, knowledge of languages, and interests (optional). The headings of each section should be bolded and written in a larger font.
5. Personal data
Include the following information:
• name and surname,
• contact telephone number,
• e-mail address,
It is worth checking whether the address, telephone number and e-mail are provided correctly. Any error will prevent the person responsible for recruitment from contacting you. The e-mail address should be official; firstname.lastname@…., this allows for easier sending of correspondence via the IT system.
6. Education.
Education is placed under personal data. If you have not completed one of the stages of education, write it down in the appropriate place. If this information is provided only during the subsequent stages, it may negatively affect the assessment of your credibility. In the section on education, we use the opposite chronological order, i.e. place the most up-to-date information first. You can also include information about the secondary school you completed, especially if you gained professional qualifications there. If you graduated without a diploma – write it down in your CV.
7. Professional experience
This is the most important part of every CV. Rules you should follow:
a. First, place information from the most recent; the position you hold or held in the last company in your professional CV.
b. Provide the start and end dates of cooperation (month and year) with each employer and the names of the positions held.
c. Specify the department in which you worked.
d. Describe in turn what your tasks in each position consisted of. For example, what you were responsible for, which team reported to you (directly and indirectly).
e. It happens that CVs are poor in terms of describing the achieved effects. We come across insufficient data regarding achieved sales growth, the value of key projects, the amount of acquired new business, etc.
Include specific information – mainly that which is related to the requirements included in the advertisement or in other materials you were provided with.
For example, if the job requirements state: “E-commerce sales management in the automotive industry.”, write what turnover you achieved annually, in which countries, what percentage increases you had, what target customer groups you served, what market segments, etc.
Key tasks:
1. Designing about 20 advertising campaigns per year.
2. Setting KPIs for the subordinate team: 7 people.
3. Budget management (170K/year).
4. Close cooperation with the sales department: .
5. …
Example of achieved goals:
1. About 25% increase in brand awareness: ECHO, KORD, …
2. Implementation of 4 innovative projects: automotive, gastronomy,
3. 40% increase in the number of followers for selected brands.
Another example: if the job objectives for which you are applying state: “Logistics management of domestic and international transport,” include key facts and information such as: I managed transport in directions X, Y. Monthly transport tonnage XXX, I managed a seven-person team of forwarders and two assistant positions. I managed the company’s own transport – 25 delivery vehicles. I worked with twenty carriers and fifteen transport companies on a rotational basis. This method of presenting information makes it much easier to assess the fit of your CV to the job profile.
8. Training and courses
If you have completed many trainings or courses, make sure to focus mainly on those that are related to the position you are applying for and its characteristics. It will be good if you give an example of specific skills that you have acquired or developed.
9. Qualifications and authorizations
In this section, enter the formal qualifications and authorizations that you have obtained during your education or professional career. These may include qualifications and authorizations confirmed by appropriate documents: ISO systems auditor, health and safety inspector, PMP certificate or others.
10. Skills and competencies
Here we should include skills that are related to the position you are applying for, e.g.; software languages, database systems, IT infrastructure management in distributed structures, etc. For each skill, it will be good if you indicate (e.g. in graphic form) the level that you present on a scale you have specified.
Similarly, in the case of competencies – focus on those that are related to the position described in the advertisement. Here, you can also use a scale that shows which competencies you feel most strongly about and which you think are not your strong points. Example of competencies: Managing small sales teams of up to 10 people, Managing a sales budget of up to PLN 20 million/year, Strategic negotiations, etc.
11. Knowledge of languages
Remember that information about foreign languages must be as detailed as possible. It is best to provide the level of language proficiency in speaking, writing and reading (as included in the European CV template). The information must be credible; if knowledge of a foreign language is required for the proposed position, the employer will certainly verify what was written in the CV at the next stages of the selection process.
3. Consent to the processing of personal data
You must always include consent to the processing of your personal data in the footer of your CV and cover letter.
III. Tips and advice for students and graduates
If you do not have professional experience, write information about all internships and professional training in your CV. If you are just starting your career, make sure to write about all the experience you have gained during your trips abroad, internships or working in a family business.
Experience can be not only employment in companies, internships or student internships, but also volunteering, activities in organizations, associations, scientific circles or sports clubs. Experience also includes holding the position of group mayor or even working on fruit picking abroad.
It is worth mentioning your activities in scouts or student organizations. This is very valuable information for the employer. They show, among other things, that thanks to this you may have developed the skills of working in a team, making independent decisions and often about activity and commitment.
Include in your CV the projects you have led and the conferences you have participated in. You can describe the scope of your duties in detail, especially if they are related to the description of the position you are applying for.
Some of us think that it is not worth including experience from working in a small family business or, for example, from working in a bakery, but it provides the employer with interesting information, e.g. about your responsibility, commitment and approach to work.
