How to write a CV that works: structure, tips and examples

A CV is your personal brand in a document ideally 1-2 pages long. It decides whether you get an invitation to an interview or get lost among hundreds of candidates. In today's HR world, a quality CV is not just a “description of experience” but a clear marketing tool that sells your competencies.

What is a resume?

A CV is a structured document in which a candidate briefly describes his or her skills, experience, results and professional achievements. The purpose of a CV is to catch the recruiter's interest in the first 8-10 seconds and make them want to schedule an interview.

It is a fact that approximately 70% CVs are not read in full - they are skimmed or rejected due to errors.

What role does a CV play in employment?

forms the first opinion about the candidate;

shows the level of professionalism and self-presentation;

affects the level of salary you will be offered;

demonstrates soft skills (structure, analysis, logic);

can open the door to better jobs.

The perfect CV structure

The summary should be logical, concise and effective. Recommended sequence:

  1. Name and contacts (email, phone, LinkedIn, city).
  2. Position / professional title.
  3. Candidate profile (summary) of approximately 3-5 sentences with key skills and values.
  4. Skills - hard + soft, according to the vacancy.
  5. Work experience - a description of responsibilities and results (achievements).
  6. Education / courses / certifications.
  7. Additional blocks (optional or depending on the position): portfolio, volunteering, languages, projects, recommendations, hobbies, etc.

How to describe experiences correctly

WRONG:

He was responsible for sales and worked with clients.

YES:

Increased sales by 32%, implemented CRM, retained 85% customers after the first purchase.

Life hack: use the Action + Result formula

- What have I done?

- What result did it bring to the company?

Key resume principles that make a candidate stand out

one-page CV (up to 5 years of experience)

adaptation to each vacancy

keywords (from the job description)

focus on achievements

English-language LinkedIn is a big plus and advantage

in some cases, a cover letter or references 

Typical mistakes in a CV

general phrases: «responsible, sociable»

3-5 pages of text without structure

a photo from a holiday or a selfie in the mirror

template summary without content

spelling mistakes

one CV for all vacancies

When a CV doesn't work and what to do about it

you send 10+ CVs and get no response

recruiters do not add you on LinkedIn

you are not invited to an interview 

In this case, it is worth rewriting your CV, adding specifics, working on your performance, and making a candidate profile on LinkedIn that really works for you.

What do recruiters expect to see?

Recruiters are not looking for a list of responsibilities, but answers to questions:

Will the candidate be able to solve business problems?

Does it fit the corporate culture?

What has he done in previous companies?

What is its uniqueness?

When to create a portfolio

A portfolio is required for:

designers / SMM / photographers

copywriters / marketers

architects

presenters, journalists, media specialists

A portfolio is a powerful extension of your CV that reinforces your expertise.

CV + LinkedIn = the best tandem

Creating a professional LinkedIn profile significantly increases your chances of getting a good job. It is important to:

add a summary in English,

describe the experience with results,

specify key skills,

add references / certifications, 

expand your network of contacts.

Need help?

Our company thanks to experts They can:

analyse your CV;

adapt it to the vacancy;

create a CV in English;

create a LinkedIn profile for your job search;

prepare you for the interview.

A CV is not just a document. It is an instrument of influence. It is your strategy.

A well-written CV can change your career, income level and even lifestyle.

Ready to get your CV noticed?

Write to to us and we'll help you create a version that sells you as an expert.