8 Simple Tips for an Effective and Concise CV

1. Avoid repeating the same information :
Did you perform similar tasks for multiple employers? Instead of repeating your responsibilities, focus on your quantified achievements in each job.

2. Eliminate outdated experiences :
Employers are primarily interested in your recent experiences, those that will allow you to quickly become operational in the proposed role. If you have twenty years of experience or more, only mention your activity from the last ten or fifteen years. If these older experiences are relevant to the job you are seeking, include them without too much detail, for example, as follows: Early career: Company ABC -- City, -- Job title -- Dates.

3. Focus on essential information:
Avoid the traditional listing of your hobbies, or even your date of birth or marital status. There's no need to specify that you know how to use the internet or Word; recruiters assume this is a basic skill for everyone.

4. Don't over-detail your tasks and responsibilities :
In a short paragraph, highlight the tasks and responsibilities related to those required for the job you're applying for. A few numbers often say more about you than long sentences...

5. No need to tell the recruiter you are available,
or to offer letters of recommendation from former employers. First, because they will ask for them if needed. Second, in the age of the web, any recruiter can trace your professional history online and contact your former colleagues or boss to conduct their own investigation, if they wish.

6. Use a telegraphic style:
Eliminate personal pronouns, and minimize the use of articles (a, an, the...) when writing your CV.

7. Erase unnecessary words : remove superfluous phrases or words that take up space but provide no real information, such as 'responsible for...', or 'my responsibilities included...'. The reader will assume you were in charge of the tasks listed on your CV!

8. Only include information relevant to your main objective : This is especially true for atypical profiles or professionals who have regularly changed jobs or sectors throughout their careers. They should focus on highlighting their transferable skills.

Monster.fr

Posted December 25, 2011.