Tips on CV layout

The Path to the Perfect CV: An Adventure in Itself

Embarking on the journey to craft a CV is akin to an expedition into the unknown. Each route is unique and tailored to the terrain upon which you tread. Different industries have their own requirements to be discovered. Creative fields like design or marketing often favour a CV that exudes a bit more flair and individuality, while technical roles prefer clear and precise information.

The length of your CV can play a crucial role. For many adventurers on the job hunt, I recommend starting with a more detailed CV rather than restricting yourself to a compact single-page document. A length of up to nine pages is perfectly acceptable, provided the CV is targeted and relevant to the position sought. You can always trim it down later if necessary, but it’s harder to add additional information later. Therefore, it’s wise to first create a comprehensive CV that encompasses all experiences and qualifications. This detailed version serves as a foundation and can be adjusted as needed.

If you need to optimise your CV for a specific job posting, a targeted search for keywords can be helpful. Pressing Ctrl + F on your keyboard helps quickly locate relevant terms. If certain keywords are missing or phrased differently, they can either be added in brackets or the relevant sections rephrased accordingly.

I’ve found the two-column table format to be the most effective. This layout is well-processed by many company systems. The left column includes timeframes in MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY format or "since MM/YYYY" if still employed. The right column is reserved for the text.

Example structure:

• Company, Location - Country
• Position:
• Department:
• Responsibilities:

Responsibilities should be listed in bullet points, as this makes the text visually clearer and reduces "reader resistance". This means the eye isn’t overwhelmed by a block of text. For the same reason, the text should be left-aligned rather than justified.

Example of responsibilities:

• Drafting correspondence and documentation with Microsoft Office
• Project planning with MS Project

If your CV seems too long, a small marketing trick can help: bold text. Bold text acts like a magnet for the eye, drawing attention and making the text appear shorter, as the eye jumps from bolded text to bolded text.

Photo or No Photo, That Is the Question

Especially in English-speaking countries, it’s unusual or even prohibited to apply with a photo, in order to assess candidates as neutrally as possible and not based on "first impressions". In fact, applying with a photo may even result in an immediate rejection.

In the DACH region, it is somewhat more traditional. In Germany, a photo is not mandatory but still often appreciated. However, please use a professional application photo rather than a holiday snap.

Important Information in the CV:

• Name and surname
• Address
• Phone number
• Email
• Certificates, references, credentials (as attachments)

Unnecessary Information:

• Parents’ occupation
• Religion
• Siblings
• Hobbies (optional)

The Grand Adventure of Applying Begins:

Our brave adventurer knows that preparation is key to success. Without the right equipment, the path to the goal is rocky. But what does one need to win the heart of the HR department?

Speculative Application – The Expedition into the Unknown

Here, the adventurer enters uncharted territory. There is no specific job listing, but with courage and skill, one can still make an impression without a direct invitation. The necessary tools for this journey are:

• Motivation/Cover Letter: Like a message to the rulers of the company, describe on one page why this particular kingdom is the right place. This shows thorough preparation and study of the company’s lore (information).

• Short CV (One-Pager): This magical scroll showcases on one page the skills and experiences gained. However, beware: overly superficial descriptions can jeopardise success. Each entry in the CV should clearly indicate what was accomplished.

• References and work testimonials: The scrolls that attest to past achievements are indispensable. They document the heroic deeds already accomplished and allow the company to see the strengths of the applicant.

Direct Application – The Targeted Assault on an Open Position

On this path, there is a clear objective: an advertised position. Here, the hero must proceed with precision. The equipment for this route includes:

• Cover Letter: This initial message is directly tailored to the requirements of the position. Unlike a speculative application, the focus here is on the job listing. Instead of uncertain words like "would" or "could", the applicant confidently speaks of their abilities.

• Job-Specific CV: The CV must be specifically aligned with the job requirements. All relevant experiences and skills that match the advertised position are precisely listed.

• References and work testimonials: Here too, evidence of past achievements must not be missing.

The CV – The Map of Past Adventures

The CV is like a treasure map, showing which paths and challenges the applicant has already navigated. Each skill and experience is clearly and understandably outlined so that the HR gatekeepers can immediately see what strengths are offered. The CV is crucial to your mission!

But beware of the HR gatekeepers. To convince them to let the applicant proceed, you must speak the same language. If applicants come from a different professional realm than the gatekeepers, it’s often the case that they fail due to linguistic misunderstandings. Applicants must therefore decode their treasure map using keywords that the non-specialist gatekeepers can understand.

Be cautious here too! In this world, there are automated systems known as Application Tracking Systems (ATS) that scan CVs for keywords. To overcome these machines, you must incorporate terms from the job listing (keywords) so that the CV is comprehensible to both humans and machines.

The CV is the most important key to new quests. In most cases, the guild keepers only see this magical parchment – no scrolls with reference spells or cover letters.

At first, the guild masters cared little about whether someone was particularly friendly or reliable. Their maxim was: time is gold. The more skills the adventurers already bring, the better. Even skills gained in the training halls (university), as wandering helpers (working students), or during an apprenticeship (internships) counted. It’s just important to mark these correctly.

Instead of claiming to be a master or magician, they can write: "Assisting comrades with..." or "Contributing to...". This way, they reach for the hidden keywords that show the guilds: "I may not be a master, but I already have the initial skills." This might give them an advantage over other seekers who embarked on the journey without such knowledge.

On the list of required skills (keywords) are tools that are partly familiar and quickly learnable because similar tools have been used before.

For example: "OpenOffice?" is murmured, recalling countless battles with Microsoft Office. "Almost like an old friend with a new face," and there’s confidence that this skill can be learned quickly.

Calmly noted: "Drafting documents with Microsoft Office (similar to OpenOffice)." For another tool – "GIMP" – the training with Photoshop comes to mind. "Many images have been edited with Photoshop," they say confidently. "GIMP will not be unfamiliar."

Next is "Jira", a project management tool. Experience with Trello comes to mind and is cleverly written: "Project management with Trello (similar to Jira)."

An old rule, especially in the northern realms (DACH region)*, says: What you don’t write in your CV, you haven’t accomplished.

Conclusion – The Journey to the Perfect Application

Whether speculative or direct application – each application tells a story. It reveals the adventures, skills, and goals of the applicant. Honesty and clarity are crucial, as only those who remain authentic will succeed in the journey to the dream job.

With this equipment and determination, the adventurer sets out into the wide world, ready to convince the HR gatekeepers and find the company of their dreams!

Ein Text! Sie können ihn mit Inhalt füllen, verschieben, kopieren oder löschen.

*(DACH = Germany, Austria, Switzerland)