Did you send a lot of CVs and still haven't secured an interview? In this article, you'll find the keys to making an effective and professional CV in the digital age.
Keep in mind that the objective of the CV is to secure an interview. The CV is the tool that allows you to present yourself professionally; it is the first and perhaps only information that the recruiter will receive from you.
I share six keys to a good CV:
1. The CV is personal and non-transferable.
It is important that your CV speaks about you, your knowledge, and qualities. Do not lie or exaggerate attributes that might breed mistrust in the recruiter. Convey the most relevant information. What do you want to highlight about yourself for the position you're applying for? When putting together a CV, summarize your most important personal, academic, and professional data in an attractive way. When writing your work objective, make sure it matches the position you are applying for.
2. Research different platforms.
Research the different professional social networks and platforms that exist today, like LinkedIn, to see what kind of information and how those data are shown by candidates with a similar profile or people who already have the type of position you're looking for. This can give you a concrete idea of what knowledge and skills are required and which ones you will need to develop in the position.
3. The more work experience, the greater the capability for synthesis.
Organize your resume so that the recruiter can understand it in a simple and effective way, with an interesting thread. Having 5, 10, 15, or even 20 years of work experience does not mean having a CV of five or six pages; on the contrary, with so much professional experience, it is expected that you have the capability of synthesis and can sum up your work history in a synthetic and attractive way.
4. Highlight your achievements.
Highlight your achievements, the most outstanding points of each position. For example, if you have people reporting to you or if you manage your own budget, changing roles that denote an increase in responsibility over time, etc. Don't forget to mention languages, your level of education, and the recent courses you've taken to stay updated; if it's a course you took many years ago, it may have lost validity; evaluate if it is worth dedicating space to that content. If you have a postgraduate degree or master's, there's no need to mention primary school in this case, the fact does not add value and takes up space.
5. Different CV versions for different positions.
In case you have varied work experiences and are open to a job change in different fields, I recommend having different versions of your CV and choosing which to send according to the position you're applying for. For example, you may have experience in the private or public sector in a middle management position on the one hand; but you also dedicate yourself to teaching; if so, I recommend creating one version for companies where you highlight your experience in the public or private sector and another version focused on the educational field, where you emphasize the number of teaching hours, subjects, conferences, universities/schools where you practiced and/or teach.
6. Writing and spelling.
Spelling errors, syntax, or complex-to-read writings, can be interpreted by the recruiter as a lack of professionalism in your candidacy; If you haven't already, have a friend or family member read your CV and give you their feedback before sending it; ask them if they saw any mistakes, something wasn't clear, they would express it differently or if they see any data that does not add value for the position you want to apply for.
Related advices
Definitive Guide to Interview Questions and Answers
Salary Expectation: Keys to responding to it
9 Tips for success in salary negotiation
The rise of remote work in marketing positions
Leer "6 claves para impactar con tu CV" en Español