CV Writing

Skills resume

A skills resume is also called a thematic or functional curriculum vitae. With a skills resume, you don’t treat your experiences in chronological order, but rather categorize them by skills, competencies, roles, work experience and accomplishments. For example, a skills resume can be used in situations where you are applying for a position for which you do not have the right work experience. This could be in case you want to make a career switch or if you have a gap in your resume. Even if you are a freelancer, setting up a skills resume is helpful.

The components within a skills resume

In a skills resume, you cover the following sections:

• Personalia
  By your personal information we mean your name, date of birth, address, telephone number, e-mail address and marital status. Under this section, you can also mention if you possess a driver’s license and from what date you are available for the position.
• Job
  The position for which your resume is intended. What position are you applying for or aspiring to?
• Education
  The courses you have taken, listed from high school. Include your coursework, specializations and the topic of your final thesis, if applicable.
• Skills and Competencies
  Name your skills, such as language skills and computer skills, indicating the level at which you have mastered these skills. You also have your competencies addressed.
• Achievements
  You discuss the achievements you have made during your education and especially during your career. This may include any publications you have written.
• Work Experience
  Your work experience will be covered, and in doing so, you’ll mainly indicate the experiences and roles that are consistent with the position you’re applying for.

Preparing a good skills resume is not easy. On the other hand, it can make for a very valuable resume. This is because it does not contain facts that are distracting, such as years and names of organizations. It’s really about you as a person and employee.

Compiling your skills resume

Once you start putting together a skills curriculum vitae, include the following:

• Describing your skills and competencies;
  Describe what relevant knowledge you have and what skills and competencies you possess. Match the description to the requested job requirements as closely as possible.

In this section, consider not only things learned at previous jobs, but also describe your skills developed through hobbies or volunteer work, for example. What matters is what you learned and not necessarily where you learned it.

• When naming skills and competencies, name facts. An example for a skills resume might be:
  I master the French language at an almost native level, as my mother is French and we lived in France with our family for almost seven years. I went to a French school, but we spoke Dutch at home.

This text says and “proves” more than if you say, I have an excellent command of the French language in word and writing.

• Formulate sentences in such a way that your competencies make you stand out from others.
• Name your accomplishments; In this section, tell what all you have accomplished and what your achievements have been. You do this in the following way:
  – Name only items that have resulted in visible and verifiable achievement.
  – Also discuss relevant accomplishments you have during your hobbies or other avocations
  achieved.
• For an open application, it is helpful to include a “Employable as” or “Desired work” section in your skills resume. In it you describe the type of work you aspire to and what positions you consider yourself qualified for. This way, you make it clear to the reader exactly what you are looking for in a position.
• Describe your work experience by roles. For example, if you have been in charge of a department for a period of time, you have probably filled various roles, such as the role of manager, project leader, planner and you name it. Describe the different roles, the actions you took and what the results achieved were.
• Try to keep your skills resume to no more than two A4 sheets. Need more space? Then it is imperative that really all content is relevant to the job you are applying for.
• Read the final version of your skills resume carefully and pay close attention to any language or spelling errors. Have another person read your resume and thereby the job description.

⇧ table of contents

Creative curriculum vitae

To stand out among many other cover letters and resumes, the craziest things are often devised these days. A resume printed on a whipped cream cake, your own magazine … it catches the attention of the recruiter and sets you apart from other applicants.

However, before you go all out now, it is important to consider whether such a creative resume will achieve your goal of getting invited to a job interview. Perhaps the industry in which you are applying is not yet ready for such a creative splurge, or it does not fit the culture of the organization. For example, if you are applying for a position as a chartered accountant, you had better make sure your resume is businesslike and clear.

When to create a creative resume?
The situations in which you can indeed choose a creative resume are:

• If you are applying for a creative position, such as one in graphics, communications or marketing.
• When you want to put extra emphasis on certain skills, such as graphic design or knowledge of printing.
• When you want your application to stand out among numerous other cover letters.

Examples for a creative resume

Of course, a creative resume is also called creative because you come up with something striking, funny or beautiful yourself. Still, we can give you a few examples that are often used when creating a creative resume.

• Making a video in which you present yourself.
• Designing an infographic about yourself and your knowledge and skills
• Preparing a curriculum vitae in Prezi
• Creating a resume in Pinterest
• Creating your own website for your resume

Then, of course, there are the tangible creative curriculum vitaes. Here you can let your imagination and creativity run wild.

Note! Even though you have such creative ideas, keep in mind that design is not the ultimate goal of your creative resume. Implementation is only in support of the content at issue in the first place. Your creative resume should attract attention, but the content must ultimately be faced and remembered. You do this by:

• Creating a perfect opening that excites the reader to read your curriculum further.
• Giving clarity. Despite all your creativity, make sure the content of your curriculum vitae is clearly laid out and all information is organized into blocks. Formulate in short sentences and present your parts concisely.

⇧ table of contents

Network resume

A networking resume is basically a comprehensive profile. This type of resume is appropriate to distribute to your network when you are looking for a new job. It is also the kind of resume you can use with recruitment agencies or send as an open application to organizations where you would like to work.

In a networking resume, you basically put the same thing as in a chronological resume or skills resume. You just add what kind of position you are looking for. With a networking resume, it is certainly important to clearly state what your qualities are. So a rubric on your skills and competencies should not be missing.

When to create a networking resume?
If you want to send the same curriculum vitae to multiple recruitment agencies or companies, you are excellent at creating a networking resume. In a short time, you can put your resume out in many places. However, this can also be a disadvantage. You don’t go deep into specific needs, requirements and the culture of the company where you want to put yourself under the spotlight. That can sometimes seem a bit selfish.

Decide if your situation and that of the recipients lends itself to a networking resume.

What you put in a networking resume

In a networking resume, you describe what kind of position you are looking for.

• Personalia
  Your first and last name, date of birth, address, telephone number, e-mail address and marital status. Under this heading, you can also mention if you hold a driver’s license, if applicable, and from what date you are available for the position.
• Desired function
  Under this heading, provide a brief description of the work you would like to perform within a position and possibly a specific job title.
• Skills and competencies
  Describe the skills and competencies relevant to the intended position. Since you don’t have a specific job description, you can be a little more expansive here.
• Training and courses taken
  Name your courses taken along with any specializations and major. Describe only those courses that have some connection to your field of work.
• Work Experience
  List your work experience chronologically, or focus it on your competencies as with a skills resume.

Europass CV

A Europass curriculum vitae is a standard resume recognized in every EU country. This form of a resume presents information about education, work experience, competencies and language skills in a standard way. It is designed to formulate your qualifications and skills in an unambiguous way in case you want to apply for a job in another European country. Even if you find it difficult to format your resume in a different way, you can stick with this format.

Rules and guidelines when preparing a Europass resume
You can get a Europass curriculum vitae by carefully filling out a form. For most data, the idea is to classify it according to the frameworks established by the EU for the topic in question.

An example is, all educational institutions have a code, which you have to look up or inquire at the institution where you took your education. Language proficiency is additionally divided into six different categories for each language you master.

When you complete the Europass resume list, that, along with a few other documents, forms a complete portfolio. These other documents include the Europass Language Passport, in which your language skills can be recorded.

It also includes the Europass Mobility Document and this document includes possible exchanges with other higher education institutions.

Furthermore, you can add the Europass Diploma Supplement, a document describing in a standardized way the training you have received. This complements your “regular” degree, but makes it easier for employers abroad to value your degree.

Finally, there is the Europass Certificate Supplement, which describes all the competencies you have acquired in higher education.

Competencies

An important part of your curriculum vitae that we like to address separately is your competencies. In fact, these are critical to whether or not your application is selected. Your competencies are your key behavioral traits and skills. These competencies fit certain job profiles associated with the vacancy. A recruiter looks closely at your competencies to determine if you fit within the position and the company. Here you will find a list of competencies.

⇧ table of contents

Curriculum vitae tips

When preparing your curriculum vitae, you sometimes run into a problem. Because, what do you do if you haven’t finished an education, or if you’ve been out of work for a while? Do you indicate that in your resume, and if so, how do you do it?

Training not completed

There could be several reasons why you did not complete your education. It may be tempting not to mention the training in your resume then. Yet it is wiser to do so, because after all, your resume is a description of your life’s educational and work history. This includes an unfinished education. In addition, if you conceal this uncompleted education, it creates a hole in your resume and it stands out.

In many cases, there is an understandable reason why you dropped out. An example is that during training you discovered that the profession you were learning for did not match your interest after all, or that you became ill during your training period.

It’s better to be honest right away than to be made aware of the things you are concealing during your job interview. Formulate your reason in a positive way, showing that you made the decision to stop your education deliberately.

Hole in your curriculum vitae

Naturally, you want to convince your potential employer of your qualities for the position to be filled in many ways. But what do you do if you haven’t worked for a while and so you have a hole in your resume? Again, be honest and emphasize your qualities.

A gap in your curriculum vitae need not be an obstacle during your job application. When you emphasize your strengths and competencies that match the job, you have as much chance of getting that great job as any other applicant.

You can mention the reason for the gap in your resume. In fact, it is wise to do so because any employer will wonder what created the gap in your resume. It may have been a conscious choice because, for example, you wanted to stay home to take care of your children for the first few years. Another cause may be that you have been laid off and thus forced to spend some time at home

Be sure to remain honest when giving the reason for the gap in your resume. A few months of “lying” is out of the question, because if a potential employer finds out, you can assume that means the end of the application process for you.

Dismissed

Did you get fired? Then the question is whether you should mention it in your curriculum vitae or cover letter. The answer is not necessarily “yes. The trick is to write your curriculum vitae in such a way that it does not seem to matter that you were fired. You can do this in two ways:

1. In your resume, focus on why you want the position and why you are the perfect candidate. Bring out your qualities that match the work to be performed.
2. If you do choose to mention your resignation, describe the reason for your resignation in a positive way. Name what you learned from the situation.

⇧ table of contents

Changing jobs often

Fortunately, it is no longer very strange for an employee to change jobs from time to time. Yet recruiters are still sometimes critical of so-called “job hoppers. If you have changed jobs often, you will need to carefully introduce yourself to your potential employer.

The recruiter will wonder what is the reason you have changed jobs so many times and whether you will stay with his or her organization for a longer period of time. Job hoppers are still sometimes seen as unreliable or fickle, and of course you don’t want that.

Tips for ‘job hoppers’

• List several jobs you briefly fulfilled under one heading. For example, if you have been a project manager at several organizations, then under that job title list the names of the companies where you have held this position. In doing so, list the duties and responsibilities you had.
• Give a good explanation of the different jobs you have had. Try to convince the recruiter that you changed jobs regularly because you wanted to gain a lot of experience and develop yourself. In doing so, make a connection between the jobs so that you can demonstrate the added value.
• In your job profile within your resume, show that you are making a conscious choice for this position and company.

Under qualified

Of course, it is possible to apply for a position that is more senior. Stay realistic, though. Some positions require specific prior training, such as a nurse. Without a college nursing degree, you will not be able to start work within this position. Therefore, don’t bother.

But, some jobs do not necessarily require a particular education. Then put your profile next to the job profile from the job description. Then do an analysis by asking yourself the following questions:

• What requirements do I meet?
• In what areas do I have less to offer?
• Can I compensate for the requirements I do not meet with other skills or qualities I possess?
• Do I need continuing education to gain or update certain knowledge?

After identifying these questions, you can make a realistic assessment of your chances. Want to apply? Then use a skills resume. Here you do not list your work experience by time period, but rather categorize your experience by tasks or responsibilities.

What to tell and what not to tell?

Some things, such as pregnancy or disability, you may prefer to conceal in your resume because you think it will reduce your chances of getting the job. What is important to tell and what is better not to tell? In theory, the answer to this question does not seem difficult, but in practice it often turns out differently.

Your rights

The law states, that in a curriculum vitae you do not have to mention anything about your current health or your health history. In fact, employers are prohibited from asking about this.

Your duties

Even though you have the above right, you do have an obligation to report issues that may interfere with your ability to perform the job. This might include certain tasks that you cannot perform because of your disability, but which are part of your duties.

Our advice

You ultimately decide what you do or do not describe in your resume. Tips we do want to give you:

• On the contrary, do mention your illness experiences if they can be useful in your new position.
• If it is clear from your resume that you have been out of the running for some time, then it may be better to just open up and describe what the situation was and what it currently is.
• In your resume, describe the extent to which you consider yourself capable of performing the job well and then emphasize that.

Pregnant

Are you pregnant? Congratulations! Well, you have to make your own judgment as to whether or not to mention in your resume that you are pregnant. If you can no longer conceal your pregnancy, then there is no point in keeping it quiet. At a job interview, it will then come out as an afterthought. But if your belly is not yet visible, you may decide not to tell yet. After all, an initial interview is mainly to see if the position suits you and if the company appeals to you.

And then, send it off!

Now that you’ve gotten the above tools, I’m sure you’ll be able to write a great resume. Keep in mind that employers these days regularly use resume verification to verify that your resume is correct. Such resume verification is mandatory for positions where integrity is important.

⇧ table of contents