Write an impactful CV

Your Curriculum Vitae, or CV, is a marketing document that summarises your skills and convinces potential employers that you are the best candidate for the job. Your CV should have a clear structure, highlight relevant experience and be tailored to each job opportunity so that the recruiter can immediately spot your strengths.

Structure and contents of a CV

A traditional CV contains the following elements

Name and headline

Contact information and links
to your LinkedIn-profile, portfolio, website etc.

Impactful personal statement to give a memorable first impression. Make sure to explain what you are looking to achieve.

Neutral, high-quality photograph

If you want the reader to focus on your recent qualifications, put these above your work experience. If your work experience is more relevant, mention your employment history first.

Work experience
achievements, successes, what you have learned, past responsibilities.

Quantify your achievements, if possible.

Remember to add skills and abilities that are relevant to the position in question. Language skills, technical skills, other skills.

Top tips for CV writing

• Go for a clear and logical structure.
• Keep your CV to two pages.
• List any relevant projects and publications in a separate document.
• Add detail and highlight skills and experience according to the vacancy.
• Remember to tailor the contents to the position in question.
• Present your work experience and qualifications in a reverse chronological order (most recent first).
• Avoid confusing graphics and metrics.

ATS keywords

Recruiters use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to rank CVs. The software can be used to scan CVs and applications for keywords that match the skills and requirements mentioned in the job posting.

Use established and standardised industry concepts that you can find in job postings and organisations’ communications. Pay attention to competence requirements, tools, roles and industry terminology to make sure that the recruiter and the ATS understand your skills.

CV formats

There is no single format or template for a CV. The best way to present your skills and work experience depends on the industry and the purpose of the CV.

Most commonly used CV format

• Traditional CV - contains a personal profile, skills, work experience and education. A traditional CV highlights your work history, experience and qualifications. This is a practical option in most cases.

Alternative CV formats

• Skills-based / functional CV - is built around key skills and competencies. A skills-based or functional CV is especially well suited for young people who have little work experience, for people who are switching careers and for applicants whose skills are not based on work experience alone. This format is good for highlighting your transferable work skills.
• Project-based CV - describes your skills on the basis of tangible projects or tasks. A project-based CV is a good option when applying for consultancy, development and project roles. This format emphasises your tangible achievements, outcomes and contributions.
• Academic CV - is longer and more detailed than a traditional CV. An academic CV highlights your research background and publications, teaching experience and other scientific achievements, such as conference appearances, grants and research projects.
• Visual CV - focuses on a clear structure and visual appeal. A visual CV can make it easier for the reader to get a sense of your skills. It is important not to overuse colours and visual elements, however.

Digital platforms for showcasing your skills

• Portfolio - is a collection of work samples and projects that demonstrate your skills. Portfolios are especially important in creative industries such as communications, education and development as well as in technological and digital roles. Your portfolio can be a website, a PDF document or some other type of digital compilation.
• LinkedIn profile - acts as a digital CV and a tool for networking and building expertise. A profile on LinkedIn is a good way to advertise your experience, networks and references.

Check these before sending your CV:

• Is all the information in your CV up to date?
• Is your personal profile impactful and interesting enough to catch the reader’s attention?
• Have you highlighted the skills that are relevant to the position that you are seeking?
• Have you included achievements and what you have learned from your past work history in each job description?
• Have you remembered to leave out confusing metrics and graphics?
• Have you converted your CV to PDF?
• Is the file name clear (e.g. CV First name Surname)?
  
  

Exercise 1: Identify which CV format is right for you

1. Think about your background

• Are you following a clear career path in your own industry?
• Are you looking to switch industries or direction?
• Have you built your experience through projects or an assortment of tasks?

2. Familiarise yourself with the different CV formats (traditional, skills-based, project-based, portfolio, etc.) by looking up examples online or by asking AI for more ideas.
3. Pay particular attention to the following

• Which format best highlights my strengths?
• Which format would allow recruiters to quickly get a good sense of my skills?

4. Choose a CV format, create your own template or download a free or paid template off the internet and use it to build your CV.

Exercise 2: Turn your past work experience into achievements

1. Select two or three jobs from your work history.
2. Start by writing a description of what you did (for example, ‘I was the system administrator’).
3. Then edit each description to answer the following questions:

• What did you do in practice?
• What did you achieve?
• What did you learn?
• What kind of feedback did you get?

4. Add detail to the work experience section of your CV on this basis.

Exercise 3: Tailor your CV to a specific vacancy

1. Find a job posting that appeals to you.
2. Study the posting to identify the following

• the most critical competence requirements
• relevant keywords

3. Rework your CV to

• highlight skills that you have that are relevant to the vacancy
• echo the terminology used in the posting
• move the most relevant information to the top of your CV

4. Finally, ask yourself the following question

• Is it clear from my CV that I would be ideal for this position?