Your CV needs to look good.

Think of creating a CV like creating a Tinder profile—except your goal isn't a date, but a job interview. Just like Tinder users, recruiters browse dozens of profiles, and you need to stand out.

To grab their attention, make sure your CV makes a great first impression. What does that mean? Above all, good design: a clean structure, readable sections, a maximum of two simple fonts (e.g., Arial or Calibri), and highlighting the most important information. As a general rule, a CV shouldn't exceed two pages of A4, although one page is usually sufficient.

CV Details

Photo

A professional photo can help a recruiter remember you. However, if you don't have a professional photo and can't get one quickly, it's better to skip the photo than to add a vacation selfie.

Contact Information

Your home address is optional—the most important thing is to include your phone number and email address. Make sure your email address looks professional (e.g., firstname.lastname@...), as you'll likely send your CV from the same email address.

CV Profile

A profile is 2-3 sentences that summarize who you are and what you're looking for. It's one of the first things a recruiter will read—so take your time and prepare it carefully.

What to watch out for:

Avoid exaggerated or contrived statements, as well as general phrases like "I'm a good communicator and committed"—these don't convey anything to the recruiter.

What to include in your profile:

List actual achievements, both academic and otherwise, that you're truly proud of. Stick to specifics and use action verbs—this will make your text more dynamic.

Education

For students and recent graduates, education often carries more weight than professional experience, so it's a good idea to include it right after your profile. Include the name of your school, field of study, and the year of your planned or earned degree. You don't need to include your primary school. If you've completed courses, internships, or other training programs, you can also include them here.

Professional Experience

While experience is crucial, many students lack it. This is normal—but even without a traditional job, you can still have something to write about. Recall situations where you gained useful skills: team projects, volunteering, competitions, internships—all of these are worth highlighting on your CV, as they demonstrate your commitment and potential.

Skills

In this section, list the skills most relevant to the position you're applying for. If you're applying for multiple positions, tailor this section to each one.

Tip:

Instead of obvious skills (e.g., "I use the internet"), choose ones that can be explained with examples. It's worth categorizing them into:

• Soft skills (e.g., creativity, teamwork),·
• Hard skills (e.g., programming, design),
• Foreign languages ​​at a proficient level,
• Driving license, if you have one.

Personal Interests

Interests are often added at the end of a CV. This section is optional, but it can showcase your personality and skills, which could be valuable to an employer—so it's worth your time.

Final Review

After writing your CV, review it carefully—spelling errors and typos can cost you an interview. Make sure everything important is included and try to look at it through the eyes of a recruiter. If something doesn't convince you, correct it.

It's also a good idea to ask someone more experienced for their opinion—a fresh perspective can spot things you might easily miss on your own.