How to write a good CV By Mariana
During my activity in Fjället and not only, I've had the chance to see a lot of CVs from young people, volunteers and others. And honestly, many of them had the potential to be great but were held back by bad structure, unnecessary details, and a lack of clarity. Since I experienced how important a CV is in making a first professional impression, I want to share some essential tips to create a resume that stands out and makes recruiters want to read it.
- Let's start with the most important part. What you should avoid?
Typos and grammar errors – Proofread or ask someone to check it
Too much personal information – No birth date, marital status, or full address
Fancy fonts or over-designed templates – Keep it clean and professional
Unnecessary work experience – That summer job from five years ago? Probably not relevant
Cliché phrases – Avoid "Hardworking individual who works well under pressure" – show it with examples instead.
- Keep It Simple and Clear
Your CV should be easy to scan. The person reading it often has dozens (or even hundreds) of other resumes to go through, so if they can't quickly find the important details, they'll move on. Keep your CV:
1-2 pages maximum (preferably one page if you have less experience);
Formatted properly (use clear headings, bullet points, and consistent spacing);
Readable (use a simple font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in 10-12pt size).
- Structure Your CV Correctly
A well-structured CV makes a world of difference. Here's what you should include:
Personal Information.
Here you should have your full name, phone Number, Email Address (professional-looking, notcoolguy123@email.com) and if it's relevant, your LinkedIn profile.
Personal Statement (optional but recommended).
This is a short paragraph (3-4 sentences) at the top that summarizes who you are, what skills you bring, and what kind of job you're looking for. E.g.:
"Motivated and creative digital marketing student with experience in social media management and content creation. Passionate about helping brands grow online. Looking for an internship where I can apply my skills and gain more experience."
Work experience.
List only relevant jobs. Use bullet points to describe what you did in each role. Focus on achievements, not just tasks. Use action words: "Managed," "Created," "Led," "Designed," "Implemented" and if possible, add numbers to show impact: e.g. "Increased social media engagement by 40%"
Education
Mention your most recent and relevant education first. Include your degree, institution, and year of graduation. If you don't have much work experience, highlight relevant coursework or projects.
Skills
List only relevant hard skills and soft skills. If relevant, add information about language skills. Don't forget to specify the proficiency level.
- Is it very important to tailor your resume for each job
One of the biggest mistakes I see is people sending the same CV for every job. Instead, read the job description and highlight key skills required. Adjust your CV to reflect those skills and experiences. Use keywords from the job posting (this helps pass automated Applicant Tracking Systems)
- Final Touches
Save as PDF to avoid formatting issues. File name matters: Save it as FirstName_LastName_CV.pdf (not MyCV.docx). Keep it updated. Every time you gain new experience, update your CV.
Also, you don't have to use a fancy tool for generating your resume. You can use a Microsoft or Google doc format as long as you create a readable and easy to scan CV.
Writing a strong CV isn't about making it fancy – it's about making it clear, relevant, and engaging. Keep it concise, highlight your strengths, and tailor it for each job. If you do this, the person reading your CV will appreciate the effort and, more importantly, consider you for the role.