Although there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when creating your CV, it should always be clearly organized, short enough for a recruiter to scan the content quickly, and –most importantly– tailored to the company and role you’re applying for. Check out our recommendations and find a downloadable template below.
#1 Start with your personal details
Put your name, professional title, email, and contact phone number at the top of the page. Your time zone is also relevant to the recruiters. If you’re applying for a translator job, make sure to include your native language, the language pairs that you translate into, your field of expertise, and your CAT tools proficiency. Also, ‘Curriculum Vitae’ is an unnecessary title. Use your name as the title instead.
#2 Include a professional summary
The professional summary goes right under your name and contact information. It is a one-paragraph long statement that gives the recruiter a quick overview of your skills and achievements. Think of it as the elevator pitch of your career and use it to back up why you are the best candidate for the job.
#3 List your work experience
Use a reverse chronological order to highlight your most recent experience and achievements. Include the projects and clients you worked for, your key responsibilities and accomplishments, and a link to your portfolio or work samples (if available). Think of each item on the list as a chance to show how your previous experience has given you the skills needed to make you a suitable candidate for the role.
#4 Detail your education
Your educational background and achievements should be listed here, along with dates, qualifications, and the grade you achieved. Use a reverse chronological order here as well.
#5 Include additional skills and services you provide
Use this section to register all the abilities you have developed through your professional and personal life that are relevant for the job you want. Find a proper balance between hard and soft, and always add a short description to the technical ones to indicate your proficiency level.
#6 Only include hobbies and interests if they are related to the job post
You don’t need to include hobbies and interests in your CV. If you choose to do so, make sure to mention the ones that are relevant to the position you are seeking and can add real value to it. Otherwise, skip this section entirely.
#7 Last but not least: keep it short and simple
Recruiters receive hundreds of applications a day, so make sure your CV gives them the information they need as clear and concise as possible. Choose a clear typeface to ensure that your CV can be easily read. Make a thoughtful selection of your professional and academic history and leave only the info that is directly related to the job you are applying for. In terms of length, two A4/letter pages will almost always suffice.
