How to make a good CV (+ CV template)

Think you’ve seen every angle on crafting the perfect CV? As recruitment experts, we’re here to bring you fresh insights and practical tips. With hundreds of CVs passing through our hands every month, we’ve seen what works and what doesn’t.

Your CV is more than just a document—it's your first chance to make a memorable impression and set yourself apart from other candidates.

Let’s dive into the essentials that can turn your CV from good to great!

Our tips for writing a good CV

Before getting started, we've prepared a CV template for you. We recommend that you download it and open it as you read our tips.

Ok, now you have everything you need, let’s dive into it.

Introductory elements

Name

Present your name in capital letters to ensure it stands out clearly.

Job title

You have to tailor your job title to align with the position you're applying for. Use the exact job title if it accurately reflects your experience. If not, choose the closest relevant title that represents your qualifications and expertise.

Photo

Including a photo is optional. However, a professional, well-taken photo can add a personal touch and convey authenticity. Ensure the background is neutral, avoid selfies, and opt for a friendly, confident smile with the photo framed from the shoulders up.

NB: forget wedding photos or sunbathing on the beach. 📸

Introduction

Originally, resumes are quite boring and can’t really tell a lot about the candidate’s personality. That’s why you can write a brief, 4–5-line pitch that introduces who you are. Highlight your personality, professional background, and the unique value you bring to the company. This section is your opportunity to make a memorable first impression.

Professional experience

Prioritize experience over education

Place your professional experience section before your educational background. Most employers focus more on your hands-on experience and how you've applied your skills in the real world, rather than solely on your academic qualifications.

For those just starting their careers, it can make sense to place your education at the top of your CV. Since your experience may still be limited, showcasing your training or relevant projects first highlights the skills and knowledge you've developed during your studies. However, if you’ve held multiple student jobs or completed several internships, include those in your professional experience section.

Reverse chronological order

When listing your experiences, make sure to do so in reverse chronological order, placing your most recent position at the top. This way, the employer will immediately see your latest and, often, most relevant experience. It helps them quickly understand where you are in your career and what skills you've been applying recently.

Use formatting to enhance readability

To make your CV easier to read, consider making your job titles, company names, and employment dates stand out by using bold text or subtle color highlights. This simple formatting trick helps hiring managers quickly scan through your experience and grasp key details at a glance.

Highlight key achievements and responsibilities

For your most recent and relevant roles, take the time to provide detailed descriptions of your key responsibilities and accomplishments. Highlight the tasks that align with the position you're applying for and showcase how your contributions made a difference. By focusing on experiences that directly support your application, you'll clearly demonstrate the value you can bring to the role, making your CV more compelling.

For juniors, a key way to stand out is by providing detailed descriptions of what they accomplished during internships. Highlighting specific tasks—whether it’s setting up, participating in, managing, or analyzing projects—can make a huge difference. The same applies to those pursuing a Master’s in alternance, as this experience essentially counts as two years of real, hands-on work. Including these details gives your CV real substance and shows employers that your experience goes beyond theory, making your profile much more compelling.

Quantify your achievements

Whenever you can, try to back up your accomplishments with numbers and metrics—think along the lines of "Increased sales by 30%" or "Managed a team of 10 employees." It’s a great way to give your experience more weight and show what you’re really capable of. Plus, it helps future employers get a clear picture of how you’ve made a difference in your past roles, making your CV stand out even more.

Use action verbs

Kick off each bullet point with strong action verbs like "Led," "Developed," "Implemented," or "Achieved." These words pack a punch, instantly showing initiative and a sense of accomplishment.

Training and education

Prioritize relevance

Don’t include every training or course you've ever completed. Focus on the ones that are directly relevant to the job you're applying for or that add significant value to your application.

Omit early education

If you hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree, you can skip mentioning primary or secondary school. Instead, spotlight your higher education and any additional certifications or specialized training that enhance your qualifications.

Highlight specialized training

Emphasize any certifications, workshops, or courses that align with the skills required for the job. This shows that you’ve taken steps to develop expertise in areas that matter for the role.

Technical, language and soft skills

Include software proficiency

Be sure to list the software programs and tools you're proficient in, particularly those that are relevant to the job you're applying for.

Detail specific skills

It’s important to highlight any specialized skills you’ve acquired, such as project management, graphic design, data analysis, or other technical abilities that align with the job requirements.

Be precise about language proficiency levels

Specify your language proficiency using clear descriptors like A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, or C2.

Make soft skills specific and personal

Avoid overused and vague terms like "punctual," "motivated," or "dynamic." These are generic and don’t give much insight into who you are. Instead, choose more specific soft skills that genuinely reflect your personality and work style.

For example:

• Instead of "motivated," you could say "self-driven with a passion for continuous learning."
• Instead of "dynamic," you could say "adaptable in fast-paced environments and quick to embrace change."
• Instead of "punctual," you could say "reliable and consistently meet deadlines.”

Cover letter

A cover letter isn’t always a must-have, but it can be a great way to make yourself stand out if it’s requested or if you just want to give yourself an extra edge. If you choose to include one, make it count! Use it to showcase what makes you unique and why you’re the perfect fit for the job. A well-crafted cover letter can really help you shine and catch the hiring manager’s eye.

Structure your text

Paragraph 1 - Introduce yourself

Start by introducing who you are and providing a brief overview of your professional background. Highlight key experiences or skills that make you a strong candidate for the position. Keep this introduction concise, focusing on the most relevant aspects of your profile.

Paragraph 2 - Explain your interest in the company

Show that you’ve done your research by mentioning specific aspects of the company that appeal to you, such as its mission, values, culture, or recent achievements. Explain why you’re excited about the opportunity to work there and how the company’s goals align with your own professional aspirations.

Paragraph 3 - Connect yourself to the company and what you can bring to each other

In this final paragraph, explain how your skills, experience, and values align with the company’s needs. Highlight what you can contribute to the company and how you can help them achieve their goals. Also, mention how working with the company would help you grow professionally.

Be concise and clear

Avoid overly long sentences and keep your language straightforward.

Ensure consistency with your CV

Make sure the information in your cover letter aligns with your CV. Any claims or experiences mentioned should be supported by the details in your resume.

Use action verbs

Demonstrate initiative by using strong action verbs. For example, say "I look forward to discussing how I can contribute to your team" instead of "I wait for your response." This shows confidence and a proactive attitude.

Tailor your cover letter

Customize each cover letter for the specific job you’re applying for. This means adjusting the content to reflect the job description and the company’s unique qualities, ensuring that your letter feels personal and targeted.

Proofread

Before sending your cover letter, carefully proofread it for any errors in spelling, grammar, or formatting.

PS: please submit your documents (CV and cover letter) as PDF files. Name it “CV - [your full name]”.

Put those tips into action

To wrap things up, creating a standout CV is about putting your best foot forward and making sure your skills and experience shine. By focusing on what’s relevant, using engaging language, and tailoring your application, you’ll catch the eye of hiring managers and show them why you’re the perfect fit.

Excited to put these resume writing tips into action? Dive into our latest job openings and find your next opportunity!