How to write a high quality resume?
A quality resume plays a key role in the job application process, providing the first impression of you to the employer. It is your opportunity to stand out from the competition and emphasize your most important skills, experience and achievements. In addition, a well-structured CV makes it easier for the employer to quickly assess your qualities for the position and decide on a potential further engagement. Read below what are the basic guidelines that can help you when writing a quality CV
Layout, structure and length of the resume
The layout of the resume should be clear and simple. Data on work experience and education are listed chronologically from the most recent to the oldest. The length of the CV should not exceed 2 pages. Use the Europass CV format only when the employer exclusively requests it, otherwise not because it is relatively unreviewed and not adapted to our labor market
Basic information
Name and surname, date of birth, mobile phone number, address and email address, driver’s license (type). If a photo is added, then it should be appropriate, of good quality and one that shows only the head. In the introductory part, a short summary can be added that generally describes the person writing the resume, briefly highlighting qualifications and experience, as well as further career interests. It is also desirable to list the section with the title “Achievements”, and to list the successes, that is, the results that the person achieved, perhaps in the previous workplace or outside, and that they are correlated with the application. It is important to be specific here, and not to write in general terms.
Work experience
Indicate the name of the employer, the name of the position, the duration of employment and a description of the main responsibilities. If there are several employers, arrange them chronologically from the newest to the oldest. Also provide information on volunteering, if there was any, along with a detailed description of duties, as well as information on the organization and time period. Participation in the project is important information and should be listed along with all the mentioned information, if there was any
Education
The term “education” refers to the highest completed vocational education, i.e. formal education: name of the institution, acquired title, start date and end date. If you want to list more formal education, start with the chronologically most recent to the oldest. List all non-formal education (whether online or live) such as seminars, workshops and similar activities during which certificates of success or attendance are obtained
Knowledge of foreign languages / computer literacy / hobbies
List the native language as the first, then the knowledge of foreign languages according to the level of knowledge (e.g. advanced, intermediate, basic knowledge). Indicate computer literacy in terms of knowledge of MS Office packages, social networks, programming languages/applications, web design and the like, always with information on the level of knowledge of the above: advanced, intermediate, basic. It is desirable to mention hobbies, that is, activities in your free time, but be careful what and how, because they say a lot about a person. It is ideal that they are correlated with the job for which you are applying.
Language and grammar
The resume should not be written in long narrative sentences, but in short and concise notes, so that it is easy for the employer to find information in a few seconds. Everything written must be spelled and grammatically correct, otherwise the resume may be immediately excluded from the further selection process. For writing, it is best to use common fonts such as Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri and Verdana and always make sure that letters with ticks are written correctly: č, ć, đ, š, ž.
The most common mistakes
“Less is more” – in the desire to make the resume as good as possible, we sometimes play with creativity and end up with a result that is unclear and complicated, and we don’t want that. Comprehensiveness and detailing because it prevents the employer from immediately getting a picture of the candidate. Inserting sayings and quotes because they have no place in a resume. Exaggerating or faking education and abilities because sooner or later it will be revealed and cause problems. It is not necessary to sign the CV
Why is it important to have a quality resume?
A resume is a type of identity card, it represents all important information about a person. A resume is a springboard for the journey into the business world and the first contact with an employer. A quality resume helps to get the desired job more easily. A resume is important when looking for a first job, but also when looking for a change and better working conditions when moving from one job to another. Apart from when looking for a job, a CV is also necessary when applying for any other competition or enrolling in additional education
Golden rules for the end
Before applying for a job, it is great to review your resume and personalize it according to a particular employer, and in this way let it be known that you have prepared well and studied the responsibilities of the future workplace. The resume should be saved in pdf format and sent to the recipient in that format because it cannot be changed, and it will retain exactly the format you want. A resume is not the same as a job application or motivation letter, they are separate documents that are created according to special rules. Some specific knowledge listed in the resume can distinguish a candidate to the very top in a split second, it should definitely be mentioned
