A CV is usually the first document a recruiter refers to. Why? Because it gives him or her quick access not only to your personal details but also to your work experience or skills. Thus, HR professionals pre-select candidates who, on the face of it, certainly meet the employer's basic requirements. For this reason a CV is the most important document on your application.

Most candidates know that an individual cover letter must be suitable for the position for which they are applying. But what few people know is that it is just as important to put together a personalised, good CV. These days, it's no longer enough to write a one-size-fits-all CV to send out to every company. When you apply for a new job, you need to market yourself and your skills in a convincing way. How do you do that? Not through a CV template, of course, but through a properly drafted and edited job application. This means that some information, depending on the situation, will be more or less relevant. Writing a CV for a student, a young employee or an already experienced manager will look different. A professional curriculum vitae writer would be ideal.

Personal information on your resume

Let's start with the universal data. What information should always be on your resume? Whether you're applying for a job in accounting, marketing or information technology, you always include your personal details. These include: Name, phone number and e-mail address. If you want to expand these a bit, you can add your place of residence and a link to your professional profile on LinkedIn, for example. To save space, CV templates should be designed so that personal details do not take up the central part of the professional experience document. A good solution, for example, is to place this information in the header. This will make them visible at a glance.

Education and work experience on a CV

Education and work experience are also a must-have part of your resume. These are the sections that should be placed in the centre of your resume. It is also important that these change depending on the position you are applying for each time.

If you are applying for an internship or apprenticeship straight out of school, you won't have much work experience. If this is the case, focus your CV on your education, extra work or extracurricular activities. Mention a study circle and so on. This way you will prove your commitment and commitment to professional development.

If you have a few years' work experience, you don't need to focus so much on your education. It's enough if you put your most recent school/university graduation on your CV. This will give you more room to describe the experience you've gained. Remember to list your previous jobs in reverse chronological order. In addition to the job title, describe, preferably in short subsections, the main responsibilities of the job.

Skills and Qualifications

First, determine what qualifications are necessary for the position you are applying for. These are usually listed in the job advertisement. If the employer requires a good command of German, a driving licence or the ability to use Adobe Photoshop, it's obvious that you need to include such information on your CV. And don't forget about soft skills. You'll also find these on the job offer you're applying for. Also make sure that you don't repeat one-to-one what's written on your CV. Both documents should be consistent, but not identical.

You can omit this information from your CV

Children, marital status, religion, nationality - this information is not necessary for your employer. What's more, they can be embarrassing.

Depending on the type of company you are applying to, always consider on a case-by-case basis which personal details you can include on your resume and which could be damaging to you. In a small family company having children is usually not an issue. In a large corporation, an employer may be concerned that you will have difficulty balancing childcare and work. In addition, there is a fear of being accused of discrimination. Large companies are more likely to see only basic information in the ""personal details"" section.

Some sections may or may not appear on your CV. It all depends on the industry, the position you are applying for and your preferences. Here are some tips to help you decide whether or not to include this information on your CV.

Date of birth on your resume - yes or no?

Your date of birth on your resume tells the recruiter, of course, how old you are. This makes it easier for him to assess the extent to which your knowledge and accumulated professional experience can support an already established team of employees. Remember, however, that in a well-organised recruitment process your age will not determine your employment.

Photo on your CV

If you do decide to include a photo on your resume, pay attention to how it looks. A professional photograph on your job application is a plus, as it will help you make a good first impression on the recruiter.

It's important that the photo on your CV is not inappropriate. So avoid selfies, photos from events, parties or celebrations. After all, you are applying for a job, so be professional.

Interests on your resume

To write or not to write - that's the question. It's up to you. If you have interests to which you devote your free time, you can write about them. However, avoid clichés like 'My hobbies are books, music and travel'.

Volunteering on your CV

As with hobbies, volunteering can only be included on your CV if it will have a positive impact on your entire application. Generally, social responsibility is a nice addition to your CV. However, there are exceptions, such as activities related to religion, politics or taking up a lot of time. Your employer may be concerned that your work will suffer because of your commitment to volunteering.