The resume is an extremely important tool when we want to find a job, it is a presentation to the company that wants to hire us, so it is important that it is well done.
Creating a successful CV does not have to consist of making one with many pages not too much text; It is better to know how to manage information and synthesize it. It must be characterized by showing the necessary data, in a structured and visible way so that the recruiter can decide that we are suitable candidates for the job for which we aspire.
It is important to note that recruiters decide if a candidate is still in the selection process in just 6 seconds of looking at the resume. At least this is what a study published in “TheLadders” states.
How to make a successful resume
Since the CV is an important piece when it comes to guaranteeing our success in a personnel selection process in this article we have decided to present some keys that make the resume a success.
In the following lines you can find a list of essential points to make a good CV
1. Choose the type of resume
Although many people believe that the classic or international CV is the most appropriate, this is not always true. There are different types of resumes and all of them have pros and cons, so, when deciding which CV to use, it is necessary to know what the objective is, our experience or what we want to highlight.
For example, the chronological CV is ideal if you have always worked, but If there have been breaks between work and work and you want to highlight certain areas instead of the time you have spent in a company, you can use a functional resume.
2. Know the company and the position you aspire to
There are many individuals who use the same resume for different jobs, which is a mistake. If recruiters have little time to look at a CV , it is important that the information is clear and the strong points stand out. In this sense, it is necessary to know well the position you are applying for and the organization in which you are going to work.
For example: the CV of a graphic designer may be different from that of a Human Resources director. The first can be more creative and the second more classic.
Personal data: Name and surname, ID, place and date of birth, personal address, contact telephone number, email address…
3. Follow a clear structure
The structure of the CV It must be designed in a way that makes the recruiter’s task easier and, at the same time, is attractive to the eye. Some important points to include may be:
4. Use white space to attract attention
In addition to the information mentioned above, it is also necessary to leave blank spaces for Draw the recruiter’s attention to those things that are important about your profile That is, you must “air the text” so that it is easy to instantly recognize the topic you explain in each of its parts, and also, in this way you will prevent your resume from being intimidating because it seems very long. Making things easy for the interviewer also benefits you.
5. Include only relevant information
You may want to put all your professional experience on your resume if you have had many jobs. But the recruiter only You want to know about the relevant information, and your time and attention span are limited
Therefore, if you add too much unnecessary text, it is very likely that they will stop reading in a short time and discard your application even if you objectively have a good profile for the job offered. For example, if your hobby has nothing to do with the job you want to do, avoid listing hobbies; Likewise, do not add jobs that have nothing to do with the position you are applying for and that you did many years ago.
6. Put the most relevant information at the beginning
Don’t beat around the bush and get to the point: if you dedicate your first lines to explaining metaphors or very abstract life reflections, you will lose the attention of recruiters. Avoid this ensuring that the first lines of text already address the most relevant aspects of your application
7. Use bullet points to highlight important aspects
You don’t need to write entire sentences, it is better to summarize the information. To do this, you can make use of bullet points. For example, when you specify your professional duties or achievements
8. You don’t need to include references
It may be attractive to include references on your resume, but you don’t have to. If you pass this phase and the interviewer wants to know more about you through your former bosses, he will let you know. If they don’t ask you for that information, you don’t need to provide it. This will allow you to notify them in case they want references from you
9. Avoid explaining your unrelated hobbies
It may look good on paper, but it’s not always necessary to include hobbies. If you choose to work in a sports store and play soccer on your town’s team, you can include it. But Do not include in your CV information that does not contribute anything to your candidacy ; or in any case, just mention them very briefly in a short section at the end of everything.
If you are successful with your CV… How to approach the interview?
Nowadays competency-based interviews are usually used , which provide a series of benefits for recruiters and the organization. Therefore, if they liked your CV, they will want to meet you in person. You can read the article “How to face a competency-based interview: 4 keys to getting the job”, to be successful in your job interview.