Learning how to create a curriculum vitae is necessary since through it you will be able to apply for any job position. In this way, the applicant can provide the necessary information for a recruiter to determine if you meet the requested profile.
However, despite the fact that most, if not all, at some point in their lives will have to create a resume, very few know how to do it correctly.
Today, there are many ways to create a resume. From platforms where they offer you free templates, to applications that generate a resume just by answering a few questions.
However, it is essential that you know how to create a resume. You can’t dump a lot of information into this format, just like that. It is important to take into account certain aspects and in this article, we will talk about that.
What is a resume?
The curriculum vitae, or CV, is a document that can be created both digitally and physically. This has the function of exposing in a brief and simple way the training, professional and work experiences of a certain person.
In turn, it aims to provide information on the qualities, aptitudes and objectives of a specific candidate.
This term comes from Latin and translates as “race of life.” So we can understand the curriculum vitae as a document that aims to narrate the trajectory of a person. Of course, since the purpose is to use it to look for a job, it must be focused on the training, labor and professional issues.
Highlighting the experience, or desire to learn, with which you count to assume a specific job position.
For this, companies or recruiters must define the profile of the worker they need for a certain position. If your curriculum vitae has been correctly prepared and you meet the qualities that they are looking for, you will undoubtedly be one of the first options.
Many times, people have incredible experience and skills. However, by not knowing how to write a good CV, they miss out on multiple opportunities to get the jobs they are applying for.
If that is your case, stay and learn what you need to know to create a CV that allows you to land the job of your dreams.
What do you need to know to create a resume?
Many people get discouraged because they have the misconception that in order to create a successful resume, they must have a great deal of experience. Let me tell you, it’s not always like that.
Mainly, to create a successful resume you need to know and follow a kind of rules that we tell you below:
- Your resume must have a good structure. Which must be striking, consistent, coherent and well-defined.
- Don’t use so much information. Better, select the information that you find most convenient and make sure that it is updated.
- Explore the different ideas that exist for modern resume templates and select one that goes with your profile.
- When choosing the photo for your resume, it is important to ask yourself what you want to project. Do you want to give a professional image or a more casual one?
- Highlight your work and professional goals.
- Look for a second option on your resume. It is good to create different drafts and have the help of a friend, or a professional, who gives an opinion on what your resume conveys. That way, you will know what is more or less.
- Save and send your resume in PDF format.
In the following image, we show you some examples of curriculum vitae models, there are many templates that you can find on the internet for free to formulate yours, you can also be guided by one of them to develop your own model in Word or another program. Remember that as long as the information is displayed in the simplest way but with a good design, your resume will give a good presentation.
What information should you include in your resume?
However, as we mentioned before, it is important to provide selected and updated information. You don’t need to write a book about your experiences and what you’ve been through. In fact, that would be too much.
The vast majority of resumes have a fairly short summary that is expressed on a single page.
In addition, a well-written resume has the essential data required to determine whether a person is suitable for a job.
Next, we show you the data that yes or yes you should reflect in your curriculum vitae.
Example of a resume template
Personal information
Obviously, a resume must provide personal data that allows the recruiter to contact you.
The personal data that falls into this category are:
- Name and surname. It is recommended that you have a font size larger than the rest, in order for your name to stand out.
- Location. This data consists only of the city and country in which you are. You don’t even need to include your house number, in fact, it could be dangerous.
- Phone number. This is essential so that they can communicate much more quickly with you.
- Email. Some companies use much more contact through emails. Make sure you also provide a professional email.
- Social networks or digital space. If you have a profile on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or any other digital space such as blogs or websites, you can feel free to share it on your CV. Of course, take into account that these must be related to the job you are applying for. Or, at least, they must contribute other important characteristics to your professional profile. If your Facebook account is dedicated only to sharing memes, I do not recommend that you include it in your resume.
Position for which you are applying
It is recommended not to send the same resume to different jobs because each CV should direct your professional profile to the position for which you are applying. In this case, it is also necessary to emphasize that, in a CV, there must be a title.
The title of your resume will be the position or job position for which you are applying.
Remember to verify the name of the position to write it correctly. Thus, the recruiter will be able to identify at first glance the reason for your resume.
On the other hand, if the company does not specify the name of the job they are offering, take it upon yourself to do a little more research on what they are requiring. In this way, you can use a keyword related to the profession you want to perform.
The famous section “About me” (profile)
This section is usually quite confusing for many. However, this line fulfills the function of exposing your professional profile in a simple and brief way. Do you have experience in a specific topic? What is your profession? What are those qualities or characteristics that allow you to perform optimally in the workplace?
These aspects are important because they also give your recruiters a broader idea about you. In addition, you must express your objectives, whether personal or professional growth, in order to provide information about what you want to achieve.
In this section, you can explain why you think you are the ideal person for the position for which you are applying.
Professional experience
Professional or work experience is one of the first data that recruiters look at. But, if you have little experience, don’t worry. You can play a little with the structure of your resume and thus highlight your academic background.
However, if you have enough experience, it is recommended that you put it above academic training.
While, those who are looking for their first job should highlight their skills, abilities and qualities.
Your work experience must be made up of the following data:
- A chronological order. Either from the last to the current job, or vice versa. The important thing is to keep order
- Indicate start and end date in the job. If you are looking for a second job, you must specify that you are still working at the main job. You can do this using the start date and terms like “Currently”, “Current” or “Present”.
- Indicate the name of the company and the position in which you were
- Supply the location. Just say the city and country
- Additionally, you can add tasks, activities and achievements that you carried out in that position or within the company in general.
Academic training
If you do not have experience and you are creating a CV for your first application, it is recommended that you include all the relevant information about your academic background.
On the other hand, if you have experience, you can be more selective with the information you include in this space.
It is recommended to follow a reverse order, where you start with the highest level of training you have.
In addition, it is important to indicate the date of obtaining the respective degrees.
If you have course and workshop certifications, you can also place them.
Qualities, skills and aptitudes
In this space, you can highlight those characteristics that make you the ideal profile.
Taking into account that these abilities are interpreted as qualities that were developed in our childhood. But, they have taken shape with the passage of time and experience.
If you have questions about what your skills or aptitudes are, make sure you research and understand these terms correctly. Then go to a trusted acquaintance and ask for her honest opinion.
Organization, adaptability and teamwork are skills that companies highly value.
Languages
This section is quite general. That is, it is usually included in most resumes regardless of the position to which a person is applying.
If you have knowledge regarding other languages, it is important that you include it in your CV. You must also specify the level you have regarding a language and if you only read it, or also speak it.
English is one of the languages that provide the most job opportunities. So, if you know English, don’t hesitate to include this in your CV.
Programs
Every day it is more common for technology to make its way into the different types of work that exist. Due to this, many companies take into account the management of computers or technological tools that a person possesses. Whether basic or advanced.
We see this when, for some jobs, companies request workers who have knowledge of programs such as Excel, Microsoft Word, and basic applications for managing various activities.
Include in your curriculum vitae programs or software that you can handle and are related to the job position you are applying for.
Photo
In countries like the United States, including the photo is not necessary since it is considered a discriminatory factor. Since, giving someone a job should be an action based on the skills and professional profile that the person has. Not with his physical appearance.
However, many other countries, such as Latin America, request that a photo be included to determine if the person has the complete profile that they want.
When including a photo on your resume, it’s important to ask yourself questions about the image you want to provide. Do you want to look professional? Do you want to give a more casual and relaxed impression? Or something more rigid and full of character? This will also depend on the job you want to apply for.
What are the data that you should NOT include in your curriculum vitae?
Very good, at this point you already know what you should put in your curriculum vitae. However, it is also important that you know what data you should not include. This way, you will avoid making the mistake of providing unnecessary information that makes you appear unprofessional.
Among the data that you should not include in your curriculum vitae are the following:
- Obviously false information
- Your date of birth. To avoid age discrimination
- Unprofessional social media profiles
- Dark, unprofessional, outdated photo, with inappropriate backgrounds or with some kind of filter
- titles too long
- Egocentric or too subjective phrases. Try to be as objective as possible
- Expired course or workshop certifications
- Descriptions are too long when pointing out your abilities
- Language levels that you do not handle
- Include video games in the section of programs that you manage. Unless it is a job position where video games are relevant, it does not make sense to provide this information
How to structure your CV correctly?
Generally, resume templates tend to be eye-catching and position the sections in different places on the page.
However, the structure of this document is usually always the same. Having the following order:
- Personal information
- Academic training
- Complementary training (courses, workshops and certified consultancies)
- About me or professional profile
- Professional or work experience
- Languages
- Program management
- Other interesting facts (skills and aptitudes)
Tips for writing a successful CV
Now that you know what you should and should not include in your curriculum vitae, we provide you with some tips so that you can write your CV successfully.
- Find a resume template or format that you can use that fits your professional profile and the job position you want to apply for.
- Write on a separate sheet all the personal information that you consider relevant. Do it as if it were a brainstorm. Gathering, also, your academic and professional information.
- Analyze in detail all the information you gather and make a list of the keywords that best describe you. These keywords can also be used to stand out in your CV.
- Determine the skills, aptitudes, hobbies, preferences, or other important information that you could include to provide more information about yourself.
- Remember to use synthesized and selected information.
- Make all the drafts you think are necessary.
- Ask for a second opinion. You could talk to a trusted friend who has more work experience than you. Or simply with someone who knows your capabilities.
- Once you have the information you intend to use, now open that resume template you originally searched for and start filling in the lines.
On the other hand, if you want to add a photo, but you don’t know what impression you want to give, it is recommended that you choose a photo where you appear friendly and professional.
Lastly, remember to be short and to the point. Recruiters will thank you.
