Does your CV have everything you need to impress an assessor in a selection process? Read on to find out how to attract the attention of the hiring manager with your CV!

What is a curriculum?

We talk about the term so much, but often we don't even know its true definition. The word comes from the Latin Curriculum Vitae. Yes, that's why many people refer to it by the abbreviation CV. Like this, Curriculum Vitae is synonymous with curriculum.

In this document, the candidate for a particular selection process sets out all their professional and academic achievements in an attempt to captivate the hiring manager and win the desired job.  

How do I make my CV?

The CV should be in A4 format (210x297mm), using formal writing, without spelling mistakes, and with completely original text, i.e. copies of ready-made texts should not be used in these files. It is also recommended that the writing be clear and objective.

For the first page of the file, the ideal is to present basic information, such as telephone, address, e-mail and all possible contact details. The second important topic to address is academic background, giving details of schooling, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and more, if any. In the third section, the candidate can describe their professional experience, including where they have worked, the year they started/finished, the name of the company, the type of contract (CLT/PJ) and other related information.

Where can I send my CV?

Technology is a reality in our daily lives and is indispensable for professions that are on the rise. Having basic computer skills is a prerequisite for job seekers. Nowadays, there are many possible platforms for developing CVs. In the past, people used to use the Word word processor, developed by Microsoft Office. However, today there are more modern alternatives with different layouts, created especially for putting together a CV. An example of such platforms is Canva, an Australian company founded by Melanie Perkins, Cameron Adams and Cliff Obrecht. It's possible to develop CVs for free, but many features are only available to premium (paying) users, so it's worth checking out the files available and seeing which one best suits your profile.

What topics to put on your CV?

  • Professional objectives: A short text about what the candidate wants to achieve or accomplish when they are hired;
  • Professional history: Your experience in previous or current jobs, the time span of this experience (stating the year you started and the year you finished), the type of contract (Freelancer, CLT, PJ);
  • Academic background;
  • Contact information: Today, this topic usually includes LinkedIn profiles and the Lattes CV site, if the candidate has one;
  • Additional training: If you've taken a course in Word, Excel or any other extra course, this is where you should put it;
  • Languages: If you have a certificate, how long you have studied, if you have ever traveled internationally to study, where you studied the foreign language, level of knowledge (Basic/ Intermediate/ Advanced/ Fluent);
  • Bibliographical production: Articles, texts, books, translations, scores and all other works that the candidate has produced;
  • Technical production: software, products, technical work, models...
  • Participation in events/lectures/congresses: Even if it's as a listener, this is a good topic to put on your CV. This will demonstrate your involvement and interest in external projects;
  • Portfolio: In this topic, the candidate can include links that direct the recruiter to work they have done. This is essential for candidates applying for jobs in graphic design, digital marketing and others. There are even some websites created specifically for this purpose, such as Behance, Carbonmade and Wix.

Check that your CV is in line with these topics:

  • Bear in mind that a recruiter sees a lot of CVs in just one day. So don't put long, descriptive texts on your CV;
  • If you created your e-mail address when you were a child, and it has funny endings or nicknames like [email protected] , the ideal thing is to create a new one that looks more professional;
  • Save the file under your name. It's precisely because the recruiter has a lot of files to read that your CV can get mixed up with others. So save it under your name to make it easier for the recruiter to organize it;
  • If you choose to include a photo, make sure you include one that shows professionalism;
  • Write in a simple font, such as Arial or Times New Roman, and in a size that is comfortable to read.

Be honest with your answers!

In movies, it's very common to see characters who lie in job interviews and even when writing a CV. After that, they end up in terrible trouble. So don't do it! Be transparent and truthful in your answers. Remember that no one will have the same experience as you, because we all have different lives and, as a result, different perspectives and experiences. So don't be afraid to be you.

Extra tips:

  •  Before sending your CV, ask someone to read it over and critique it. This will ensure that there are no grammatical errors and that the text is easy to understand. If you can, ask more than one person to read it and check these essential details for you;
  • Avoid putting your salary claim, the ideal is to have a personal conversation with the recruiter after the selection;
  • Many CVs these days are sent online via email. So create a short introductory text and insert it into the body of the email. Also, learn how to use the Hyperlink tool and include it in the text. Through this, the recruiter will see that you are aware of the latest market developments and that you know how to use them to your advantage;
  • Choose to save the CV file in PDF format, as this will make the file uneditable for all other viewers, and will ensure that the format in which you have structured your CV is retained, even when opened on older computers;
  • If you wish, you can include an impact sentence that expresses something you believe in at the end of the document. Remember to reference this phrase.
  • Use figures and statistics that demonstrate and validate your professional or academic achievements. 
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