6 steps to a new CV

It may be tempting to reuse your previous CV when sending out a new application, but it's essential to take the time to update it. This will not only enable you to incorporate new experiences, but also remove those that are no longer relevant. The aim is to personalize and fine-tune your CV to suit the position you want to land. Discover our tips for rewriting your CV in six steps.

1. Identify your objective

2. Write the hook

3. Sort through your experiences

4. Highlight your skills and interests

5. Pay attention to formatting

6. Use keywords

Need advice on updating your CV? Contact our recruitment experts.

1. Identify your objective

First, clarify your objective. Your CV must be in line with your professional project and the responsibilities you want to take on. This starts with the title you give it. If you're applying for a job, the title of your CV should be as close as possible to that of the position on offer. So you can create several versions of your CV depending on the positions you're applying for.

2. Write the tagline

Once you've defined the title of your CV, it's a good idea to add a catchphrase that highlights the added value of your application. For example: "With 8 years' experience as an executive assistant, I'd like to take on new challenges in personal assistance, as a true right-hand man to the manager. Proactive and extremely organized, I adapt easily to all work environments."

At the top of the page, don't forget to include your contact details. If you have a LinkedIn profile, remember to add a link to it. As for the photo, although it's not compulsory, it's highly recommended, as it humanizes your application and can reassure the recruiter.

3. Sort out your experiences

To avoid an overly long CV, it's a good idea to group certain past or less relevant experience by period or type of position. For example: "From 1999 to 2014: Waiter in a restaurant."

The idea is to highlight the experiences most in line with the target position, while remaining clear and concise. There's no need to detail all the tasks you performed as a receptionist if you went on to hold management positions and are applying for an administrative manager role.

In addition, after a certain period of time, you can consider cutting out small summer jobs that are not related to your career plan, provided that your CV is consistent and without "holes".

4. Promote your skills and interests

Each new experience brings additional skills. Remember to update them in a separate paragraph. What's more, soft skills are now just as important as technical skills, if not more so. So you need to identify yours and try to extract the ones that are important for the job you're aiming for. These include rigor for an accountant, adaptability for an export manager, empathy for a position in the social sector, tenacity and responsiveness to withstand the pressure of trading.

Your focusshould also help you start from other applicants and personalize your application. If you play guitar, specify your repertoire. If you like to travel, mention the countries you've visited, etc. Similarly, if you're applying to be a manager and you've played basketball, mention your appetence for this team sport. This can surrect questions, facilitate the dialogue in interview, as the recruiter needs to know you.

5. Pay attention to formatting

Your CV should be clear and easy to read, while including the essential sections expected by recruiters: work experience, education, interests and skills. It's not necessary to include everything. You'll have the opportunity to detail your experiences during the interview. Opt for a simple font, add spaces to separate paragraphs and air out the various headings.

If you choose a more creative layout, make sure it integrates all the information while remaining legible. Don't forget to bold headings and subheadings to highlight the positions held.

6. Use keywords

Today, many companies use a TSA software (appliquant tracking ssystem) for their recruiting, particularly in the application pre-screening phase. This kind of tool uses artificial intelligence with matching algorithms and parsing to sort through CVs and cover letters. In this way, the main keywords of your documents are scanned, and paralleled with the job offer description. That's why we strongly recommend that you use the same register and/or some of the same language as the job offer. For example, replace the title "Team Leader" with "Manager", if that's the term used by the company.
Finally, take the time to proofread your CV carefully to avoid any spelling or syntax errors, and other typos. Have it proofread also by another person to benefit from an outside perspective. Depending on the position on offer, some recruiters are uncompromising about the wording. So, make the most of your chances

The must-haves for your CV

A well-structured CV is essential for attracting the attention of recruiters. Here are the key elements to include:

Personal information: Name, address, telephone number and business e-mail address.
Skills summary: Highlight your strengths and main qualifications.
Professional experience: Describe your previous assignments and highlight your achievements.
Education and qualifications: List your education and certifications relevant to the target position.
Additional skills: Foreign languages, IT tools, or other skills that can make a difference.