MPS > Home > Your Career > Your CV is your calling card

Your CV is your calling card

Your CV is your calling card in job seeking

Your CV (Curriculum Vitae) is the single most important document in job seeking. Since it is a summary of your skills, achievements and your work experiences, it is worthwhile to be prepared with care. A good CV provides the recruiter with accurate information about just how suitable you are for the open position. Keep in mind that the person reading your CV has the capacity to influence your future career. Make sure that the recruiter receives straight away an accurate image of you.

Preparing your CV

Your CV serves as the basis for the recruiter in determining how suitable an applicant is with regard to a certain position or organization. All details included in a CV are important, but the overall picture is crucial. Based on this overall notion, the recruiter reflects on the compatibility of the position and the applicant, and makes the decision about whether or not to meet the applicant in order to discuss the open position.

There is no such thing as a perfect CV model. Nevertheless, some basic principles of how to prepare a good CV can be defined.

Before you start to write your CV, ask yourself the following questions:

What have I done and achieved in the past, what am I doing at present, what do I wish to do in the future?

What am I good at? Why?

Who could provide me with references?

Imagine yourself in the position of the recruiter reading your CV for the first time. Write clearly, coherently and concisely. Avoid repeating the same things in your cover letter and your CV, at least avoid using the same sentences. Titling, clear structure and logical presentation improve readability. Respect the reader and run your CV through a spell checker in order to avoid spelling and grammar mistakes.

There is no one and only correct way to prepare and present a CV, but your CV should include at least the following information about yourself:

Contact information

Personal information. Your name is compulsory but you can also add your birth date, hometown and a brief family description.

Educational background. Describe your degree: its depth, main subject and minor subjects. You may also want to mention the title of your thesis and its topic. To be clear, separate your degrees from other courses.

Work experience and practical training. State clearly the employer, your assignments and the time period and duration with an accuracy of one month. A brief job description clarifies what kind of work you carried out. Usually a work history is presented chronologically starting with the most recent position.

Competences. Indicate how you can stand out from the other applicants. What additional value can you offer the organization in question?

Language skills. List the languages separately. You may also specify spoken and written skills and indicate the levels of fluency.

Computer skills. Define your computer and IT skills.

References. Which persons have knowledge of your working style and are able to provide additional information about you? Remember to ask permission before using someone as a reference and giving their contact information in your CV.

It is also advisable to provide information on the following matters if they are relevant for you:

Further education / training. Further education or special courses of significant value to the applied position.

International experience. Studies or practical training abroad or other international experience.

Research and publications. Describe briefly and clearly your input regarding different projects.

Positions of responsibility

Hobbies

Below are some of the most recommended tips to keep in mind when writing your CV:

A good CV comes in many shapes and forms. Clarity, precision and reliability are the only absolute musts. Only rarely does a person’s history need a CV exceeding two pages.

A personal touch is a plus and strict formality can be off-putting. A bold text style, photos, colors and other effects are functional when used carefully, but keep in mind the boundaries of good taste. It is also important to consider the recipient and the organizational culture in question.

A good CV is rarely written at once. Let people who know you read it, and make use of their feedback. Remember to always check your CV before using it and to make any necessary corrections.

Your CV is your calling card

CV Samples

Assessment day at MPS