Why a resume?
A resume gives the future employer information about:
- Overview of your work experience and education.
- Your background, it shows what your interest are and wht your work/education history is.
- Proof that your previous jobs benefit you and qualify you for this job.
6 golden tips for a good resume:
1. Make sure your resume is relevant for the position you are applying for
Show that you have experience and the right skills for this job. Your future employer needs to find this information quickly. It can be that you need to change your CV for different positions you are applying for. Take a good look at the job description and decide what the best option is for your CV. Try to imagine what the new employer is looking for. What would they like to see and what is less interesting? Use your CV to get their attention and highlight your strengths.
2. Keep it short and simple
The CV is a short overview of your education, your experience and your interests. Other things an details you can elaborate on during a job interview. How does a good resume look?
- It should not be longer than 2 A4 sized pages
- It should always contain your personal information and contact details, work experience and education
- Start with your most recent job and then work your way back
3. Make sure your CV is flawless
Your resume together with your application/motivation letter are the most important parts of the first impression an employer gets from you. Everything is about presentation. Make sure that your CV looks organized and is easy to read. Your CV should be point by point and not just 1 big text. Write down the most important things first. The use of lines and dashes helps. Watch your spelling! Typos on your CV don’t make the best impression. Do put your trust totally in the spelling check but always read the text again as well. You can also ask a friend to read your CV and ask for advice (see tip 6).
4. Give some attention to your activities next to your work or education
In your CV you can pay attention to important experiences that you have gained next to your work or education. Or achievements you have reached. Some examples are “chairman at the volleybalclub” or “organizing the neighborhood blockparty”. If you do not have a lot of experience you can also write down your long term holiday or part time jobs, and do not forget your work as a volunteer.
But keep in mind, it must be relevant to the job that you are applying for.
5. Be honest!
Do not try to fill gaps. Adding 6 months to a time you had a job might seem a good idea, but when the employer finds out that you did not work there you can say the job goodbye. Try to make clear what you have done in this period: volunteering, looking after the kids etc.
6. Let somebody else check your resume
Sometimes you miss mistakes. Therefore you should let somebody else read your CV. When you change your CV 3 or 4 times, it is difficult to see it with a new view. Really do this!
Good luck with these tips! If you have any more questions, please ask them on our Facebook page or contact one of our colleagues at our office in Venlo.