Creating an effective CV is the first and most important step in looking for a job. A well-designed document catches a recruiter's eye in just a few seconds and decides whether you are invited to an interview. In this guide we explain step by step how to prepare a document that stands out from the competition.
1. Personal and contact details
This section should be at the very top of your CV. Give only the details that are needed, such as your first and last name, phone number, e-mail address and a link to a professional profile (for example LinkedIn or a portfolio). Avoid giving your full home address or date of birth. Today's recruitment standards put the emphasis on privacy and on preventing discrimination.
2. Professional summary (professional profile)
The professional profile is a short section at the beginning of your CV. It consists of 3-4 sentences that answer the key questions: who you are, what your most important professional achievements are and what challenges you are looking for in a new job. It is an excellent way to catch the recruiter's attention right away.
Example: I am a customer service specialist with more than three years of experience in e-commerce. In my previous role I cut the response time to customer inquiries by twenty percent. I am looking for a junior manager position to develop my team management skills.
3. Work experience
When you describe your employment history, use reverse chronological order. Start with your current or most recent position and work backwards. For each role, give the full company name, the dates (month and year) and the job title. Instead of a general description of duties, focus on specific tasks and measurable results.
4. Hard and soft skills
Split this section into specialist skills (tools, technologies, foreign languages) and soft skills (communication, time management, teamwork). Try to avoid vague buzzwords. Name the specific programs or systems you use in your daily work.
5. Education and courses
List only the most important stages of your education, leaving out primary and secondary school if you have a university degree. Give the name of the university, your field of study and the year you graduated. It is also worth adding certificates from training courses, as long as they are related to the position you are applying for.
6. An up-to-date GDPR clause
Remember to put an up-to-date consent to the processing of your personal data at the very bottom of the document. In Poland, without this clause the recruiter may not be able to contact you or consider your application in the recruitment process.
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