How to properly structure the different sections of your CV?

The CV is often the first contact between a candidate and a recruiter. It must therefore be informative, but also impactful. This document is most of the time scanned in a few seconds. It must therefore be clear, precise and accessible at first glance so as not to be stored under the pile. You must therefore organize it by section so that your professional experience, diplomas and areas of interest are clearly identified and set you apart.

What are the essential sections of a CV?

To have a clear and readable CV, keep in mind that it is not a question of being exhaustive, but rather of choosing in your course what will interest the recruiter the most. If you are applying for a restaurant job, your babysitting experience during your studies is not very useful for your application. On the other hand, your extra experiences in restaurants can support your profile. And even if it's a selection, always be honest. Lying on your resume is always a bad idea.

To organize your course, you can subdivide it into sections. Those that are essential are "studies and training", "professional experience", "skills" and "centres of interest". Depending on the field in which you are applying, you can add some, such as the languages, the software you master... And to highlight this information, opt for a minimalist presentation on a single page. Choose neutral colors, a simple typeface, and don't overload text. To make people want to be read, your CV must be airy.

What information to include on your CV?

Comment bien structurer les différentes rubriques de son CV?

A curriculum is above all a formal presentation. Clearly indicate your identity: surname, first name, postal and email address, telephone number, age, and other information such as the license if it is requested in the job offer. For the next part, detail your title for each position, the name of the company, the years you spent there and a brief description of your missions and achievements. The convention is that these experiences are written from the most recent to the oldest.

Also list your diplomas and certifications, being slightly more concise unless you are a school graduate. And if you have followed an internal training or a Mooc, mention it, it will show that you have sought to learn new skills. You can also make a difference on your interests which will show your personality.

Be sure to keep the same presentation throughout the document. This will make you feel organized and neat, in addition to producing a readable CV.

(By the editorial staff of the hREF agency)