Tips for your CV

Would you like to apply to a company in an german speaking country, but are unsure what your CV should look like? Or do you already have a finished CV, but it doesn’t lead to the success you expect?
Then you should definitely continue reading!
Let’s assume you are the person responsible for a particular hiring procedure. Recruiters are not always directly connected to the department of the job position, but they have an overview of the company’s appearance, the employees in general and therefore who fits both the company philosophy and the team. It is therefore always advisable to adjust your CV to the company.

Wondering how? Here are a few tips you should keep in mind:

Clarity and structure
Think about how you want your CV to look like before you start. Depending on the industry, it may be reasonable to choose a more straightforward or more creative layout. You can find a lot of inspiration online. When designing your CV, however, bear in mind that CVs in German-speaking countries are preferred in tabular form. Therefore, start with your personal details and a meaningful profile. The structure should be clear and attract interest.

Pay attention to chronology
Once you have decided on a layout and a suitable structure, arrange your professional experience and education in chronological order. Your current position should be at the top. This allows employers to see how your career has developed. However, make sure that you emphasize experience and skills that are relevant to the desired position.

Don’t neglect timeliness
Keep your CV up to date. Regularly add new experience, skills and qualifications. This not only shows continuity, but also a willingness to develop. Remember to highlight any relevant additional qualifications. For example, a language certificate is important for a job with international contacts, while IT training is helpful for another position.

Place references well
Add references at the end of your CV or indicate that they are available on request. This gives your CV additional credibility and transparency. In the field of marketing, for example, it can be helpful to collect and add past projects, videos, graphics or photos in a portfolio. Any relevant references and certificates can also be sent along or forwarded on request.

Emphasize individuality
Stand out from other applicants by adding a personal touch to your CV. Show not only your professional experience, but also your personality. Emphasize how your individual strengths and passions fit in with the company culture. You can therefore also create a column with your strengths and personal interests. However, make sure that these are true and fit in with the company philosophy.

The power of words
Use precise and expressive language to describe your professional achievements. Even if the CV is in tabular form, you can include a brief, keyword-based description of your activities under the position. However, avoid being too general. Strong verbs such as implement, optimise or generate can help you highlight your achievements.

Despite all the tips and adjustments, you should make sure that your CV reflects you and your character – it should be authentic. This is because HR managers are looking for suitable candidates for the advertised position. If working in a team is stated as one of your strenghts, but this is not actually the case, this could lead to inconvenience and problems at the interview. But we also have tips for you on how to perform for a good interview. Would you like to know them? Then just click here.

Further, we would like to add one more thing: in German-speaking countries, it is also very popular to include a cover letter or letter of motivation. This gives you an additional opportunity to highlight your strengths and intrinsic motivation for the position in this company.