How to write the perfect CV: 5 essential tips

The nightmare of anyone looking for a job: leaving your CV at a company and it ending up in the trash or at the bottom of a drawer that no one opens.

But before, have you ever been in the situation of sending a quantity huge amount of resumes and wonder why never been called for an interview?

This happens a lot. One of the reasons could be that your resume doesn't have what recruiters are looking for. But how do you know exactly what they're looking for?

It is increasingly common for companies to adopt a “humanized” type of selection, in which each CV is not treated as a number, but rather as a person.

Even so, having an outstanding resume It can be a game changer in getting noticed by the recruiter for that job you’re looking for. 

What is a perfect resume?

After all, what can we call a perfect resume? Although this concept is subjective, and each company or recruiter sees it differently, The best resume is one in which the information is clear and objective, with the best possible readability. 

And what does that mean? Let's make an analogy. 

When you read any content, what do you prioritize? In this article, for example, you must have looked for the subtitles and tried to get as much information as possible, in the shortest time possible, doing, at first, a dynamic reading before jumping to another page. 

It’s no different with the resume. It needs to be attractive and easy to read., so that in the first screening, it does not fall into limbo due to not having clear information and ending up taking up a lot of the recruiter's time, who will choose to discard it. 

In an ideal world, the recruiter would read each resume calmly and analyze each candidate. However, with increasingly fast-paced and dynamic roles, this action becomes practically a utopia. 

Why is it important to have a perfect resume?

Therefore, the importance of having a perfect resume lies precisely in this point: pass the recruiter's first screening and get on the list of “relevant””, which will be read calmly and, thus, will have a greater chance of being called for an interview. 

It is a fact that there is no perfect standard that will never be ignored. Even if you have a perfect resume, it is possible that it will not pass a certain selection, but even so, the greater probability is that it will don't miss it. 

What recruiters expect from a resume

So, first we need to understand what recruiters expect from a resume and there is an objective answer to this: 

It seems obvious, but this is, in fact, the first thing they look for. Then you ask yourself: “My resume was a good fit for the position, and yet I wasn’t called for an interview.” 

The error may be in the way the information is allocated. 

First of all, you need to understand that your experiences related to that vacancy in question need to be highlighted, most of the time, It is not even necessary to include other functions that you have performed that have nothing to do with the opportunity for which you applied. 

Then, think: what is the main attribute sought after in the vacancy I have?

This characteristic also needs to be highlighted. All of this without mentioning your full name and the details of how this selector will find you, of course. 

In the topics below, you will understand these points more clearly based on five essential tips to help you start improving your CV now. 

The Secret to the Perfect Resume

What to do and what not to do on your resume.

Details

5 essential tips for having a perfect CV

Thinking about everything that has already been said, to start with the five tips, you need to keep in mind that balance of information is essential in a document like this. 

So, prepare the print to save this information well:

1. You don't need to enter all your personal details!

Yes, it is a myth to believe that your resume needs an address, CPF, voter registration card or other extremely personal information. 

When hiring, the company may – and will – need this information, but for selection purposes, there is no need. 

Limit yourself to your name, your contact details such as telephone, WhatsApp, Linkedin and other social networks that interest you, the city and, at most, the neighborhood where you live. 

2. Be clear about the area of activity

Even though many people believe that recruiters prioritize those who put on their resumes that they are “jack of all trades”, the opposite is true. 

The HR professional looks for someone who fits the pre-established requirements and who has experiences compatible with the role. 

So, specify your area, and include the main experiences related to the area you are applying for. 

If you can serve in more than one role, you may need to have more than one resume option to send in a personalized way. 

3. Put your training

Always related to the vacancy, your education is a turning point for your resume to be noticed. Put all the information related to that area in the first section so that the recruiter can see it right away. 

And this doesn't just apply to your undergraduate degree, but also to any other course you may be interested in at the moment. 

4. Be direct in your professional experience, but strategic

Pay attention to this order: first you put your role, then the company, after all, what you did is more important than where you worked in this first evaluation. 

That way:

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Marketing Agency – The Administrator 

1. Simplicity is the best way

Even though the use of graphic resources is increasingly popular today, if not done well, they end up hindering more than helping. Opt for a cleaner look, where the emphasis is on the information, not on images or icons. 

If you are a professional graphic designer, you might want to consider a slightly more unique layout. If not, it could be a shot in the foot. 

Conclusion

Furthermore, follow professionals specialized in CVs and consume free content to get even more information on the subject. 

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Take the opportunity to read too “How to make money blogging: 7 tips”. Keep following our content! 

Nathalia Silva September 21, 2021