How to build a strong CV?
How to build a strong CV to have bigger chances to find a job as an expatriate? What should its form be, to meet the requirements in different locations?
Being an expatriate does not concern exclusively the Greeks. A strong CV is of essence for everyone. Usually, the decision to become an expatriate follows finding a job, or after we are proposed one in a different country. Of course, sometimes people leave their country in order to find a job. There are also instances that is necessary or desirable a change between jobs. Any application for work requires a CV. So how to build a strong CV?
A CV is the medium to communicate our skills, competencies and work experience to a potential employer. With a strong CV we can “sell” ourselves and demonstrate our skills more efficiently. Thus, it is of great importance. The challenge of creating a strong and interesting CV can also be great.
Who we are and what we have done cannot be changed. A CV should include only true information about us. What can be altered though is the way in which we present that information. We should highlight certain elements while suppress certain others. We device our CV in that way that our application should be a good match for the specific opening each time.
Our goal is to make the best possible impression to the potential employer each time. We do not want our application to become part of the pile of rejections. Especially not before even be read! It must be interesting and fitting.
Our CV should cover all the specifications of each opening, every time. There are also though, specifications about how to build a strong CV depending on the country that our target job is. In this post we cite information about how to build a strong CV when applying for a job in a european country, the United States and the United Kingdom.
Europe
In Europe a CV is treated rather casually. In addition, as it goes with the overall european mentality, it is more anthropocentric and personal. It can include many personal information that have nothing to do with any professional domain. In addition, a photo of the candidate is included.
The optimal length of a CV is about two to three pages but on many occasions, like academia, it may be even more extended. Before we file our CV, we should check for any specific criteria that need to be met depending on the country. The language we should use, if not the local one, should be British English.
The structure of the CV should be covering the european standards. It may contain even recreational pursuits of our spare time. In some countries like the Netherlands, employers regard this of great importance. Typically, our CV should include personal information, education, work experience, other skills (like foreign languages), hobbies and other attributes.
United States
Generally, the fashion in the United States is for strict and brief CVs. There is no place for personal interests and hobbies. Overall, a CV should be austere and not at all personal. A special feature of it is that it cannot include a photo of the candidate, in order to avoid any form of prejudice and discrimination.
Thus, the length of a CV cannot be more than one or two pages. It is a great challenge to include everything we want to communicate to a potential employer in such a confined space. This can be good for the younger. A one-page CV is totally acceptable, especially for those who are fresh to the job-seeking arena and do not have great work experience. The language we should use is the American English.
The structure of the CV should also be austere. In the beginning we should cite, personal information and then a brief outline of our profile. This should be a short summary about us and our experience. In this way we can attract the attention of the potential employer. Next, we cite our work experience and education. As an option at the end, we could include some relevant special skills and references from former employers or professors.
United Kingdom
In general, the trend in the United Kingdom is quite similar to that of the United States. The difference is that in this country, it is acceptable to include more personal characteristics and hobbies. This is a way to describe personal attributes and outline our personality.
The optimal length of a CV is two pages. It will not be a no-go though, if a third page is included. The particularity in the United Kingdom (that lately becomes a fashion elsewhere) is that along with the CV we should include a cover letter in the application. In this we are expected to describe why we are a fitting match for the specific role. Through this we are allowed to mention even more information about us and “sell” ourselves. The language used is exclusively British English.
The structure of the CV should include in the beginning our personal information and profile. In this occasion, the profile refers to a small paragraph of our competencies and aspirations. It is where we are able to distinguish ourselves from the masses of other applicants. Next, we cite education and work experience. In the end some personal interests may be included. In the United Kingdom these can be a good talking point at a possible job interview.
Building a good CV is a very important matter. How to build a strong CV is something that everyone who enters the job market should be familiar with. Pay the appropriate attention to it. Search the internet for a more analytic and specialized guide. It would be even better if you have it done by a professional expert. It is nothing but good to have a strong CV as a passport to a successful career.
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