cv
How to make a good cv in the most easiest way

What is a CV? 

Like in many other countries, a CV - curriculum vitae - is a summary of a person’s professional and academic activities, usually more detailed than a resume. This tool is used by employers and employees to better filter job and business opportunities.

In Brazil, a CV is a must for those applying for a job, in order to quickly explain a person’s background and present the aspects that make the applier the best for the position.


What should it look like? 

Long and super detailed CVs don’t always lead to a super competent person with the best skills in the market. A CV must contain the most information in the clearest way possible. This means you’ll have to summarize all your previous activities coherently without leaving anything important behind. 

A CV must contain a few “obligatory” elements:

  • Identification;
  • Profile;
  • Interests and Important Activities;
  • Skills and Abilities;
  • Professional Experience;
  • Academic Background; &
  • Complementary professional “luggage”.

But keep in mind that there is no “right way” of writing your CV. How you write and design it should vary according to your background. If the position you’re applying for is working at a bank, perhaps you should go with a more sober style. While, if you work with art production, your CV should carry your own personal style (and remember to bring your portfolio as well).


Indentification: 

The identification section must be on the top of the CV.
It's where you should write your name, address and contact information (like phone numbers and email)

Profile:

The profile must contain a quick presentation of who you are, informing things like: if you’re super competent at following instructions or if you’re better at leading a team; if you’re a fast learner or if you already have years of experience, among other capabilities. The importance of this section, is to describe yourself in a way that presents your professional workstyle.

Interests and Important Activities:

This section must be used to guide the reader about your background; for instance: have you ever worked as a volunteer for a charity institution? Have you participated or given any lectures at a cultural or academic center? Be quick to list the major activities you’ve participated.

Skills and Abilities:

Speak many languages? Know how to use every system and tool in your computer? This is the section where you’re supposed to let everyone know. Give a quick explanation about your writing, reading and conversational skills in the languages you know. Shortlist the main tools you’re used to working with and how familiar you are with systems and applications relevant to your career.

Professional Experience:

Do you have experience working in many companies? In this section, you should list some of your main professional backgrounds: describe your position; where you’ve worked before; how much time you worked there; & your main responsibilities.

Academic Background:

In this section, you must write your academic background. List your college degrees, MBAs, extension courses, researches and published articles. Remember to write when you took the course and where.

Complementary professional “luggage”:

In the last section, you can shortlist the complementary activities you took; things like professional specialization courses, training sessions with a coach and other support classes. Be sure to register if you have certificates and diplomas.


What should I do after my CV is completed? 

Your CV is never actually “done”. Keep in mind that it’s very important to update your CV. Fill it with new courses you’ve attended, change your language skill level as soon as it improves, and try to select the most important information for the position you're applying for: if you only keep the most valuable information, you’ll have more space to detail and explain more about yourself.