How to grab an employer's attention with your resume?

With an original, concise, and engaging CV, you'll stand out more quickly among a pool of other candidates and open doors to new career opportunities.

Despite the digitalization and the exponential growth of digital tools as new ways to search for job opportunities, the CV still remains an important part of the application process and a ticket to the first meeting with a company.

Below, we’ve prepared a summary of key tips that will help your CV add value and spark the employer’s interest. Trends in this area still lean towards preparing a CV on one to two pages, depending on your work experience, which you should keep in mind when preparing your CV.

Show Yourself – A Professional Photo Will Help You Stand Out Faster

Research shows that a photo establishes a quicker and better connection and adds a personal touch to the CV. With a photo, you’ll stand out from the pool of candidates, and the recruiter will remember you more easily.

Make Sure Your Personal Information is Correct and Visible

Check that your phone number and email are correctly written. Additionally, add a link to your LinkedIn profile, if you have one. Don’t forget to mention where you're from and whether you're mobile (ready to commute to another city).

“Statement Position”

Include a short paragraph (2-3 sentences) in your CV where you highlight your added value and the area of work where you wish to continue your career. Highlight your expertise and which field you are most experienced in.

Chronological Overview of Your Work Experience

List your work experiences starting with the most recent job. Clearly state your tasks and the achievements you’ve accomplished in that position, and prioritize your experiences and skills relevant to the job you are applying for. Emphasize key competencies you’ve gained or developed. Keep it brief and concise. It’s advisable to back up your achievements with numbers (e.g., in 6 months, I increased sales by 15% and acquired 10 new clients).

Education

List your highest completed level of education. If you have completed different schools, programs, or degrees that reflect additional knowledge, include them in your CV (if you, for example, have a VI. level of education, you don’t need to list your primary and secondary school).

Get to Know Yourself and List Key Competencies

Consider which competencies are already developed in you (back them up with examples) and which competencies you still need to develop in order to get a certain job. This will also help you in your personal presentation, as the better you know yourself, the better you will be able to argue why you are the right choice for the company.

Do You Have Any Additional Knowledge or Have You Attended Any Education in the Last Year?

Write this down and highlight it (this shows you are self-initiated and willing to acquire additional knowledge). Don’t forget to also highlight additional knowledge of programs, foreign languages, etc.

Be Original and Add Your Personal Touch

Keep in mind that the CV is a personal reflection, so think about what your added value is, what knowledge you have, and of course, what your main motivation is for the job and the area in which you want to develop or continue your career. Let the CV not just be a bare listing of data, but a reflection of your abilities and personality.

Build Your Personal Brand

Building a personal brand is a process that is becoming more prominent, especially when looking for new career opportunities. It is part of a personal marketing strategy, which will help you access new business opportunities that arise in the job market faster. By networking (connecting with professionals in the field you are active in or want to be active in, attending conferences, etc.) and building relationships, you will exponentially increase your chances of new business opportunities.

Good luck with preparing your CV and finding new job opportunities!