The CV is a central element of every application. It provides a clear and structured overview of your educational and professional background, qualifications and skills. A well-designed CV enables the employer to quickly and efficiently assess your suitability for the position. It is not only the content that counts, but also the way it is presented. A clear and professionally designed CV can go a long way to making a positive first impression and increasing your chances of getting an interview.
Step 1: You don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
When it comes to designing your CV, you can use sample templates that are available these days in many writing programs such as Microsoft Word. These templates already contain all the necessary formalities such as the appropriate margins, subject line, place and date, which only need to be adapted with your own data.
Another free option for professional templates is the Canva platform. Here you can choose a suitable layout from a variety of designs to make your CV individual and appealing.
This not only saves time, but also makes it easier to get started with the design process.
Step 2: The right photo
When adding a photo to your CV, it is important that the image looks professional. Choose a recent, high-quality portrait photo that shows you in a serious and friendly light. Make sure that the background is neutral and unobtrusive. A good application photo can increase your chances by creating a positive first impression.
If you send your application by post, you can stick your photo on your CV after printing it out. If you are applying online, it makes sense to ask the photographer for a digital format of your photos.
However, it should be noted that a photo on CVs may not be usual or may even be undesirable in some countries or at certain companies. Therefore, find out in advance about the customs in your industry or in the respective country.
Step 3: Your personal details
List your personal details such as name, address, date and place of birth and contact information at the top of your CV.
Step 4: Your educational background
List your educational background in reverse chronological order. Include school names, periods and qualifications achieved.
Step 5: Internships and part-time jobs
Mention relevant internships and part-time jobs. Briefly describe the activities and what you learned.
Step 6: Skills and qualifications:
List any special knowledge and skills that are relevant to the apprenticeship, such as foreign language skills or computer skills.
Step 7: Interests and hobbies
Give an insight into your interests and hobbies to give a more complete picture of yourself.
Step 8: Date and signature
Finally, after your interests come three to four free lines and then on the left your place of residence and the current date, for example: Narnia, March 31, 2024.
This is followed by your handwritten signature. To do this, either print out your CV, sign it and scan it in again. Or you can sign on a white sheet of paper, scan this signature and insert it as an image into your document.
Clear structure and layout: Make sure the layout is clear and professional. Information should be easy to find and easy to read.
Proofread: Have someone else proofread your CV to avoid typos and grammatical errors.