How to get a successful CV to get an interview?
When looking for a job or internship, the CV is a decisive element in getting a job interview. It is this that will make a recruiter want to meet you or not. Getting your resume right will give your reader the best first impression, and increase your chances of landing a job. Indeed, it is important to develop an eye-catching CV that will show your qualities and skills in a professional way.
This week, Meet My Job offers you concrete solutions to make your CV a success!
1. Make a CV according to your field.
First of all, one of the basic rules for a successful CV is to make it according to the field in which you are applying.
Indeed, the expectations of your CV will not be the same whether in the fields of communication, finance, or even construction.
Nevertheless, your CV must be attractive. Even if you're looking for a job/internship in a sector that doesn't require you to be creative, your CV should stand out from the rest. This way, you will have a better chance that the recruiter will be sensitive to it and interested in your profile.
It is possible to create a beautiful CV without necessarily knowing how to master Indesign or Photoshop. Indeed, there is free and easy-to-use software.
The best known of them is certainly Canva, which allows anyone to produce a beautiful CV without worrying about it. In addition, the site also has many pre-designed resume templates that provide inspiration!
2. Make a clear and airy CV!
Secondly, and we can't repeat it enough: your CV must be clear and airy!
When you design your CV and add the essential information, you tend to want to put too much in it. Indeed, you always want to include all your experience, skills and qualities.
Never forget that the recruiter must be able to identify you in 30 seconds maximum. A CV that is too dense and with too much information affects its readability and does not make the recruiter want to dwell on it. In addition, if you don't select the essentials, the recruiter may think that you lack the ability to synthesize, or even that you are disordered.
A CV must therefore fit on a page and be airy: favour spaces, delimit the different parts of your CV. You need to gain clarity and let the text breathe!
An interesting exercise is to put yourself in the recruiter's shoes and imagine having to read a CV. Ask yourself how you would react to reading a CV that is too dense? Is it nice for you to read it or not?
This simple question lets you know if your resume is clear enough.
3. Put a professional photo!
Generally speaking, resumes contain a photo of the candidate because recruiters always appreciate seeing who they are dealing with and putting a face to a name.
That's why it's important to put a photo on your resume. However, if putting a photo seems obvious, the type of photo is important.
Of course, you should choose a photo that makes you stand out, but avoid looking too casual in it. So no more selfies in the mirror, photos at the beach or in the evening with friends.
Remember, the recruiter is not your best friend. He has neither the desire nor the need to see this kind of photo of you.
He only wants to know at a glance if you look professional. So choose a simple photo, with a neutral background, and dressed in a correct way but not too stuffy. Don't hesitate to smile too, the recruiter will appreciate it and will be able to glimpse your personality!
Finally, choose a quality photo and not pixelated. The recruiter may print your resume for an interview. It is therefore important to know that a photo that has already been pixelated on the computer will look even more catastrophic when printed.
So take a picture preferably with a quality camera. Or even better, if you can afford it, go through a professional photo shoot in the studio!
4. Select your information carefully.
It is not useful to put all your professional experience to succeed in your CV and keep it airy. However, it is important for you to carefully select the information you want to convey to the recruiter.
It is therefore important to prioritize your experiences: Highlight those that are directly related to the type of position you want. Your most meaningful experience should be highlighted.
This way, the recruiter will be able to observe the consistency of your CV and your professional experiences for your application for an internship/job.
5. Also focus on soft skills!
Your professional experience, theoretical knowledge and technical skills are not everything. It is also interesting to skillfully highlight your personal qualities in your CV.
Indeed, more and more recruiters are recruiting people with strong soft skills, human skills that are important for the company!
Also, depending on the position you're applying for, try to learn about the most frequently requested human qualities. Knowing them and filling them in your CV will allow the recruiter to see that you have the human prerequisites for the position.
6. Don't hesitate to add little extras!
Finally, it is always interesting when you send your CV by email to insert additional documents to prove your expertise.
Let's say you're applying for a job in graphic design or communications. In these cases, it may be interesting to send a portfolio with your different achievements. If it's an editorial position, you can forward the link to the articles you've written!
In this way, the recruiter can directly see the quality of your work and project himself directly with you in his team. Moreover, it also shows your involvement and willingness to join a company!
To conclude, it can be said that creating a proper resume is not an easy task. You have to know how to stand out to hope to get an interview. The points mentioned in this article may seem trivial, but in reality make it easier to get into the workforce by being noticed more easily by potential employers. By following these few tips, you will be able to show your seriousness as well as your determination.
Now that you have all the keys in hand, all you need to do is gather your information and move on to writing. Succeeding on your CV has never seemed so easy!
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