14 tips for an impressive CV

Found a job advertisement for an exciting position? Then the first step is to update your resume, the heart of your application. But do you actually know how it should be structured and which no-go's to avoid? Our two.jobs recruiting experts explain to you through 14 tips for your resume, the best practices you should keep in mind.

Structure

Everything stands and falls with the structure. Because only if the framework fits, can the content truly shine. Therefore, consider these points when building your resume:

1. Make sure you have a clear and concise structure. This also means not using a thousand different fonts and sizes. Resume templates and CV templates can be helpful here to ensure a professional structure.

2. Pay attention to the hierarchy of entries. Place current job titles and education at the top and avoid gaps in your resume.

3. List your work experience in the upper section and add your education and further training below (not the other way around).

4. Design your resume so that all contact details are together. Avoid distributing them throughout the document or placing them in the header or footer.

Presentation

For your resume to be willingly reviewed, an appealing presentation is essential. Therefore, incorporate these tips for designing your resume:

5. Ensure that the text is easily readable. Avoid using colorful backgrounds or bright fonts.

6. Ensure your portrait looks professional. The quality of your photo already says a lot about you.

7. Use symbols to stand out positively. Tools like Canva offer templates for a resume to stylishly incorporate icons and visually enhance your resume.

8. Boldly highlight important experiences that are relevant to the job. This immediately shows why you fit the position. 

Content

In the end, what you report about your career experience in your resume particularly matters. Therefore, pay attention to these content aspects:

9. Write about the tasks you took over at each job. When creating and writing your resume, it is important to present your experiences precisely and clearly. Keep it brief and avoid long sentences.

10. Create a creative cover page, where you highlight your most important skills or further education. This will spark interest from the start.

11. Send existing references such as work certificates and diplomas from the start. This shows how former employers perceived you and simultaneously avoids follow-up questions that prolong the application process.

Format

To ensure your effort pays off, the resume must meet certain format specifications. Here are the most important requirements:

12. Always send the resume in PDF format. Some companies do not even consider applications in Word format, which would automatically disqualify you as an applicant. When applying internationally, it is advisable to also have a resume available in English.

13. Do not upload all documents individually, but combine them into one. However, this depends on the tool of the respective company you are applying to.

Bonus Tip to Impress Even More

14. Include your LinkedIn or XING profile in the resume.  Make sure that all entries are up-to-date.

Need tips for an excellent LinkedIn profile? In this video, we briefly explain how to take your profile to the next level: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cl3XSTdqbDS/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

These 14 current resume tips for 2023 provide you with the best foundation to impress with your resume. Implement the mentioned points regarding structure, content, and format, and use digital tools like a LinkedIn profile to highlight your skills.

Looking for more application tips? You can find them here.