Tips and Tricks for a Successful Resume 

Your resume is your professional business card that will represent you to employers on the job market. It is therefore important to take the time to format it properly, to adapt it to the position to be filled, and to ensure that it truly reflects your background.

Brief and Concise

On average, a recruiter spends a few seconds looking at an application. At a glance, he or she analyzes the essential information in order to make a first selection of the CVs received. Therefore, make sure to keep your CV brief and concise. As a general rule, your CV should not exceed two pages.

It is sometimes difficult to select the most relevant information to put on your CV and to stick to the suggested two pages. On the other hand, a CV that is too long risks losing the reader’s attention and can have a negative impact on your application. It is therefore recommended that you list the tasks related to the proposed position and that you use a cover letter to explain your reasons for applying instead of writing them on the resume. An appendix to the CV is also an option to explain certain elements in more detail, such as a list of projects, mandates or publications, for example.

Consistent and Readable Formatting

To make your CV easier to read, we suggest that you choose a font that is simple and pleasant to read, while remaining consistent in the formatting of your document. So pay special attention to punctuation (for example, make sure you use semicolons at the end of each of your lists, or periods), and align your text so that there is consistency throughout your document. Also make sure you have the same font size and format throughout.

The question of originality in a resume often arises for those who like to stand out. Note, however, that atypical formats lend themselves more readily to artistic professions – graphic designers, for example – but may be less well accepted in a more traditional context.

Chronological Order

Although it is possible to list your work experience in anti-chronological order, we believe that it is preferable to list your most recent work experience first and thus go back in time.

Next, a brief description of your duties is required for some of the roles you have held (not necessarily for all roles if you run out of space). In the form of a list, highlight the key points of each of your professional experiences. The tasks should also be adapted to the role you are applying for. Feel free to revise your resume regularly as needed.

Proofreading and Nomenclature

Proofreading is a mandatory step after you have written your CV. It allows you to correct any spelling or grammatical errors that may have crept in during your draft. If necessary, have a friend or colleague proofread your document.

Also, be sure to name your Word or PDF document in a professional and personalized way. For example, you could name your CV: Last name, first name – CV – March 2022.

Important Elements and what not to Include

Some information must be included on your resume, such as your first and last name, your email address, and your phone number, so that the contact person can communicate with you for the rest of the process. In addition, your CV should list your academic background and professional experience.

Other elements that can highlight the quality of your application are the languages you speak and write, the software you master, and your hobbies.

On the other hand, there are elements that are totally discouraged and should not be included on your resume: your marital status, date of birth, gender, number of children, political or religious beliefs. We also discourage the use of a photo on your resume since it is a major factor of discrimination.

If you need additional advice, or templates to create your resume, do not hesitate to contact one of our team members.