Successful CV: The 5 Basic Rules
You ask yourself many questions to realize the ideal CV: how many pages? Which colors? By chronology? With a photo or not? ... digiSchool interviewed the expert in the field, Pauline Lahary, founder of MyCvFactory. Discover 5 golden rules to know from the 5 most frequently asked questions she has received.
"MyCvFactory was born two and a half years ago, from receiving similar questions from customers to customers," explains Pauline Lahary. "I decided to collect the questions received, to link the best answers to become the Job Bible, and to offer the keys to make a resume." But what are these recurring questions that all job seekers ask themselves when completing their CV?
1. What type of resume to propose?
Until 35-40 years old, the CV must consist of a single page. When you apply by mail, prefer the PDF format, locked. The layout must be adapted to your professional sector. For example, if you are in the marketing / communication sector, your CV must be dynamic, modern, colorful.
Social networks must be highlighted on your CV, you can also insert a QR Code pointing to your LinkedIn profile, or your blog. This will prove that you are connected, that you follow trends and that you give yourself good visibility.
2. What colors and visuals to use?
To not make the CV mishmash and too heavy, use only 2 colors maximum, bright enough not to make your CV bland. Blue is a color goes everywhere; for banks and finance, prefer red. Regarding the logos of companies where you have worked and / or done an internship, it's a bad idea since they can distract the eye and load too much your CV. Be careful to use the right fonts as well.
3. The CV, by chronology or skills?
There are two schools, but for recent graduates, a chronological CV is more readable and effective for employers. Add a category "profile" and "objectives" where you can explain in 4 lines your professional project, such as a mini letter of motivation. This method humanizes the CV, unlike impersonal bulleted lists.
4. Should I put a photo?
To give a good impression, prefer a photo from a photo shoot with a professional. Without a photo, the CV makes you mysterious and the recruiter can ask questions.
Who of facies discrimination? In any case, the recruiter has the means to know your origins, and the face-to-face interview is there to do that too. Better to display and fully assume your origins and your story, do not mend or hide.
5. How to return an original CV?
Your resume template should be tailored to your personality without being too much, so always keep it simple. The video CV? Why not, if you are in linguistics for example: seeing yourself speaking live is interesting for the recruiter. Be careful not to look pretentious, use a light or even humorous tone is recommended.