CV Tips
Louise Bach-Nielsen
How to write your CV?
© Colourbox
Questions:
• How do you prepare your application?
• What is the purpose of the CV and cover letter ?
• Do you include other documents?
• What does the reader read first ? CV ? Coverletter?
• How long will the reader spend on your application?
• Do you have a standard CV?
• Do you use templates?
From: Rekrutteringsanalysen 2015 Konsulenthuset Ballisager
• 72% were unprepared for the job interview – Lack of research
• 65% CV and cover letter were standardised – not customised to job
• 33% focused too much on what they would gain from being hired
1. Personal details
• Name
• Nationality
• Contact information: address, phone, email
• Date of birth (optional, but helpful)
• Photo: professional and up to date
• Never include your CPR number
© Colourbox
Personal details
Name Sofie Gallagher
Address Stavnsgade 34, 4, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
Tel. +45 2020 2020
Mail [email protected]
Marital status In a relationship with Jens
Date of birth March 3rd 1985
Nationality British
Linkedin www.linkedin.com/profile
2. Personal Profile
• Short and targeted summary about yourself
• What are your main professional, personal & social skills?
• Think in keywords
• Be specific
• Target the content
• Keep it short and to the point © Colourbox
3. Work experience
• List your most recent experience first
• Dates of employment, Name of the company, job title, tasks and achievements
• Well known employers in your country may not be known in Denmark – explain
• Use an appropriate job title if the one you actually have is misleading
• You may include internships, volunteer work, student jobs
– as long as they are relevant
Work experience (cont.)
Volunteer work
2008 Student induction supervisor at University of Birmingham
Tasks:
- Planning of induction week with team building and social events
- Responsible for the induction of 45 students
Key learning:
- Experience in management of major events
- Training in communication
2004-2006 Handball coach at Birmingham Handball Club
Tasks:
- Organized practice and matches for a youth team
Key Learning:
- Experience in communicating with others and how to handle conflicts
- Learned about being a team leader and structuring practices and matches
4. Education
• Start with your most recent education first
• Dates, Name of the school, faculty and subject
• Relate to Danish educational standards - www.ufm.dk
(Ministry of Science, Innovation and Higher Education)
5. Other skills
• Language proficiency– Clearly and honestly state your level
– Avoid the use of A2, B1, modul 3.3. etc.
• IT skills: clearly and honestly state your level
• Possession of a driving license and car may be included
• Etc.
6. Interests
Employers will often look at the interests listed in your CV
• gives a more comprehensive picture of you
• can give an indication of your personality and motivation
Particularly relevant to mention activities in which you had
• leadership responsibilities
• teaching skills
• or which involved relating to others in a team
7. References
Two options:
1. Use the generic statement 'References are available on request’, which means that the future employer has to ask permission for access to your references;
2. Include the names and contact information of your references on the CV, if you have approval.
Foto
Points to remember
• Max. 2 pages
• Use simple language
• Documentation: do not send documentation unless specifically mentioned in the job ad
• Print your CV and have someone read it
• Do a spell check! (“I speak fluent Englesh, Inglish, Eniglish” does not really instill confidence)
• Always send your CV in pdf
The Structure of the Cover Letter- for solicited applications
Complex sentences, style, grammar, your writing style
• Header: address and contact information
• Headline
• Introductory paragraph
• Motivation for applying – what is your interest in the job + knowledge that supports this
• Professional / personal background – explain your skills that specifially match the job. Do not repeat your CV
• Closing
Guidelines
• Future oriented and targeted
• Short and sharp – max. one A4 page
• Customise – every time
• Use an example
• Pick the 1-2 essential requirements from the advertisement and answer them carefully
• Which advantages will the company gain from hiring you?
• Positive closing
• Same font and size as CV