CV tips

Your CV is the way to make experiences and professional skills known to the employer. Therefore it is important to do this in the right way. You can use the following CV tips and apply them in our resume template.

Layout CV

Use a common font. Do not use italic and decorative characters in your resume.
Do not use decorative borders or other drawings or backgrounds. Unless you are applying for a creative position.
Try limiting the CV to two, at most three, pages.

Building your CV

Place your name at the top of the first page with your contact details right below it. Only add your work telephone if you do not mind being contacted there.

CV tip:

A personal statement directly beneath your contact details gives employers a snapshot of your key skills and work ambitions and should catch their attention if it marries up with what they are looking for.

The structure of the CV must be easy to read. Present the facts clearly and concisely.
Use bullet points instead of full sentences.
Training, academic results and work experience are best presented in reverse chronological order. Your most recent diploma must be mentioned first

CV tip:

When writing your skills section, try to use adjectives that are similar to those used in the job advertisement. If they require someone with ‘effective leadership and administrative abilities that possesses excellent interpersonal skills’, state that you have these. Don't copy the text verbatim, however, as this will be apparent, and obviously be truthful at all times on your CV.
Remember that employers are interested in the outcome or impact of your actions, not just a list of the tasks themselves.
When listing achievements, keep in mind that what really convinces employers is data. If you can illustrate your achievements with facts and figures, then make sure to do.
Consider the differing impacts of the following two statements:
- Consistently exceeded sales targets in last year
- Exceeded sales targets in last four quarters by x%, resulting in overall annual increase in turnover of €x
Even if you struggle to recall or quantify your work achievements, it's worth spending some time thinking about it as it's important. Did you have a positive effect on productivity, efficiency, the speed of a process or response, customer complaints, waste, accidents, reporting, absences or any other aspect of an organisation’s functioning? Then include it.
Above all, remember that you are trying to sell yourself. Using phrases like ‘was involved in’ and ‘assisted’ implies that you were more of a bystander than an instigator. Use strong action verbs and take credit where credit is due

Never leave data out. For example, if you have taken a sabbatical, mention this.
List hobbies and interests at the end and keep this short.

Check your CV

Carefully read the CV and check the spelling. Ask someone else to read it if necessary. After all, mistakes are not always visible to the person who made them.
Send your resume by e-mail, always accompanied with a cover letter. You can use our cover letter example.
Remember that your CV is your first impression. Take the time to take care of your resume.

The purpose of your CV is to be invited for a job interview. Therefore make sure your CV is concise, interesting and inviting, so that the employer would like to know more about you.