CV – Talent500 Blog

5 best CV templates to take inspiration from

Posted on April 7, 2022April 7, 2022 by poosarladileep

Recruiters make a sense of a candidate from their CV before deciding to call them for an interview. This is why CVs hold such importance when you apply for a job, they create that first impression about you. According to a study, recruiters on average spend just seven seconds to decide whether a candidate is right for the role or not. This is why it is important to mindfully create CVs that make you stand out as a candidate.

Structure your resume properly

Just like a clean code, your CV has to have a clean and easy-to-follow structure. Here is a resume that follows the right information hierarchy.

It is a subtle yet engaging CV format that presents the work experience in chronological format. It doesn’t use any block design or background to create sections but bolded heading. The entire text follows the same font size (11-12 point size) and style. When you create such a resume it is important to maintain a uniform margin on all sides of the document. We recommend maintaining an inch of margin.

This is about formatting, next is to be attentive to the content structure. For a software engineering resume, maintain this structure of the content.

Start with contact Details, followed by a resume introduction. Next, add work experience in chronological order with the recent post at the top. Then you can list any relevant information related to education before concluding with relevant skills that highlight your strength for the role.

Resume for mid-level software engineer

The format above is well-suited for most roles, but if you want to format it a little differently here is an example that is ideal for mid-level software engineering resumes. You can split the resume into two sections to segregate personal and professional information.

In this example, the resume has the education and courses on the left side, while work experience and skills are on the right. This is helpful to navigate through the information and avoids any confusion. Another thing to notice here is how well the candidate has condensed his reasonable amount of experience to highlight only the main responsibilities. Also, he managed to mention keywords like ‘Updated 30+ custom .net applications’, ‘Used JavaScript codebase to reduce the loading time of the company’s website by 65%’ and ‘Trained new staff’.

Senior software engineer resume

If you pay attention to this template, you notice how it makes use of the white space to create an easily readable resume. The subtle patterns in the background prevent it from appearing monotonous without disturbing the overall look.

The sections are created just using bold headings just like the first template. It follows the chronological format to list experiences but focuses on how concise the job responsibilities are. The candidate has managed to put in all the core and competent responsibilities associated with her role as a senior engineer. She has also created a good mix of explaining measurable achievements associated with roles in the past along with keywords.

Front end engineer resume example

This resume stands out because of the colour scheme. Albeit using a creative CV template, it has stood out because it has a clear and clean professional look. The problem with most artistic/design-led resumes is that at times, candidates overdo it, resulting in too much distraction.

Here’s an example of a bad artistic resume:

When you are working with such a CV template, make a strong profile presentation that highlights your experience and skills. This is again a two-column design that segregates the work and skill information from education and personal content.

Back-end engineer CV template

There is no confusion here, the candidate has made it clear from the start with the use of a prominent heading that he is a backend engineer. He further emphasizes his intentions by using the appropriate keywords related to the job in the rest of the resume. He has clearly outlined his skills as a backend engineer by explaining his job responsibilities such as ‘built and coded 8 web applications’, ‘provided code maintenance and up gradation to boost system performance by 65%’, and ‘Confident in designing APIs.’

Such a resume will easily pass through ATS screening software if a company uses one. Also, he has managed to make his resume stand out by adding some personality to it with the use of shapes in the background.

Conclusion

The CV templates can be very subjective depending on what role you are applying for. As you cannot predict what a recruiter will like in a resume, still there are some ground rules you must follow. Add keywords to be ATS compliant, match the work experience and skills you mention with the job description and do not just list past job roles, add details of what responsibilities you handled and accomplishments.

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4 tips for writing about hobbies and interests in your CV

Posted on March 31, 2022March 31, 2022 by dikshant

The ‘hobbies and interests’ section in a CV is often overlooked by many candidates, yet it can be quite useful if you know how to present it correctly. While most companies don’t consider hobbies on the same level as work-related experience, there are times when it’s appropriate (and even preferred) to list hobbies and interests on your resume. Depending on your field of choice, It’s important to fully understand how to mention your hobbies and interests on your CV, as they are an indicator of the things you enjoy doing outside of your studies and career. By demonstrating passion and enthusiasm in other parts of your life, you can show that you’re a well-rounded, motivated, and ambitious employee as well.

However, there are certain things you should keep in mind when you write about interests and hobbies in your CV. And some hobbies and interests are more popular than others. Similar to how you highlight your work history, education, and achievements based on the job profile to get a recruiter’s attention, there are effective ways to portray your hobbies and interests in an advantageous manner. On the other hand, mentioning certain hobbies and interests without providing the proper content might have the opposite effect. Here are some tips you should consider while writing about your hobbies and interests:

1. Understand the difference between an interest and a hobby

Though they’re often used interchangeably, hobbies and interests are not the same. In general, hobbies are things you do with a high degree of skill, while your interests are more what you know about. For example, while many people enjoy cricket, they wouldn’t necessarily consider it a hobby. It would be considered an interest rather than a hobby because of their lack of skill in the sport. Hence it might be more beneficial to include more hobbies than interests in your resume since they show a significant investment in terms of time and effort to develop something that is a potential asset or skill.

2. Mention them towards the end of your CV

Though there is no hard and fast rule, it is a safe bet to keep hobbies and interests in the final section of your CV and be listed with a small descriptive sentence for each item. This is because the focus points of your resume should be your work history, education, and achievements. Those are the primary parameters to measure your suitability for the job. On a similar note, It is often ideal to keep your CV to one page, so include only a few strong examples of hobbies and interests that complement the rest of your resume. This will help the recruiter have a fair idea of your prospects as a potential employee at first glance and take note of any hobbies and interests that give a good impression of your personality or attitude.

3. See how your hobbies and interests match with company values

When listing your hobbies and interests, it’s important to keep the employer in mind. While each will reflect your personality in a unique way, when including a CV-tailored list of interests and hobbies on your resume, consider the values and the image of the company you’re applying to. For example, your interest in technological advancement will indicate you are a valued addition to a company interested in artificial intelligence. By showing that you have similar values as the business or corporation, you show that you are a good choice for the job position.

4. Pick those which portray you positively as an individual

Your hobbies and interests serve as a personal introduction when starting your career or applying to a new position. Since you want to make the best first impression, it is wise to avoid mentioning hobbies or interests that might be perceived as unsavory in the eyes of the recruiter. As a general rule of thumb, avoid anything that could be interpreted as violent or dangerous such as competitive boxing, stunt driving, etc. Similarly, it is best not to mention anything that reflects your religious or political beliefs. Ideally, include hobbies and interests that are representative of your positive traits. For example, someone who likes chess or puzzle games often comes across as being intelligent and analytical.

To conclude, the priority of mentioning your hobbies and interests is secondary compared to other important details in your CV such as your qualification and experience. But they could most definitely serve to depict you as someone who is passionate and multidimensional – both of which are traits that most companies look for in candidates. The trick lies in using your intuition to understand which ones are worth including and those which you should keep to yourself.

Looking for exciting remote work opportunities offered by top-tier companies from across the globe? Visit the official Talent500 website to find jobs that match your profile.

CV vs Resume: what’s different & when to use

Posted on March 31, 2022March 31, 2022 by poosarladileep

Every job seeker at one point during his job search has wondered about the difference between a CV and a resume.

When applying for a job, it is important to know the difference between a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a resume. Depending on which company you are applying for the job, you must know whether a CV is more appropriate or a resume, to present yourself as a strong candidate.

In this article, we will share what’s the difference between a CV and a resume, when to use them, whether one is better than the other, and more.

Let’s start by exploring what a CV is first.

What is a CV?

The term curriculum vitae or CV is Latin for “course of life.” A CV is an in-depth document that has your entire career path described in full detail. Usually, CVs are two or three pages long but depending on the experience and work details to be included, CVs are known to be as long as 10+ pages. In the US and Canada, A CV is used mostly for academic applications and not when applying for jobs. People applying for grants, research fellowships, and academic jobs use a CV as it has a complete account of their education, work experience, honours, awards, publications, and other achievements.

Here’s an example of what a CV looks like:

Types of CV formats

A CV can be formatted in three arrangements.

A Chronological CV: The most commonly used CV format, a chronological curriculum vitae lists work experience with the most recent position at the top. This is the right format for candidates who have prior work experience. It also highlights the skills and project experience predominantly, as in the image above.

A Functional CV: This format is also called a skill-based CV as it is used when a candidate wants to focus more on skills and work, rather than chronological work history. This is preferable for candidates who have not worked previously, or there’s a gap in their career history. People looking to switch careers can also use a functional CV.

Combination CV: As the term suggests, it is a combination of chronological and functional CV formats. If you want to highlight your skill as well as use a chronological work history format, this is the CV for you.

What should you include in a CV?

Contact Information
Research Objective or Personal Statement
Education
Professional Academic Appointments
Books/Book Chapters
Peer-Reviewed Publications and Other Publications
Honours And Awards
Grants And Fellowships
Teaching Experience and Research Experience / Lab Experience / Graduate Fieldwork
Non-Academic Activities
Languages and Skills
Memberships/Conferences
References

Let’s move on to a resume.

What is a Resume?

A resume is a French word for “to sum up” and true to its meaning it is a concise document for job application. Unlike a CV, the purpose of a resume is to provide recruiters with a brief overview of a candidate’s work history. A resume is prepared to target a specific job and must be limited to one or two pages.

Here is a resume encapsulating important education, skill, and work experience information on a single page:

Just as CVs, resumes can also be of different formats.

Chronological resume: It is similar to a chronological CV and lists work experience in descending order starting with the most recent position at the top. A chronological resume is the industry standard that most hiring managers prefer.

Functional resume: This resume emphasizes more skills and experience, rather than employment history. Candidates with little or no work experience can use this resume. Also, it is ideal if you are changing careers.

Combined resume: A mix of chronological and functional resume formats, it has your skills and experience highlighted before listing employment history in descending chronological order.

Targeted resume: A targeted resume is tricky to create as it is tailored for a particular job at a specific company. It highlights the qualification and experience that are relevant to the specific job.

What should you include in a resume?

Job Title
Contact Information
Resume Summary or Objective
Work Experience (preferably in chronological order)
Education
Skills
Additional information (Awards, Certifications, Courses, Interests, etc.)

CV vs Resume: Major differences

Curriculum Vitae (CV)	Resume
Emphasizes academic qualification	Emphasizes skills
Suitable for academic positions, grants, scholarship applications, etc.	Ideal for positions in private & public sector, industry, and non-profit
There is no limit on the length	It is restricted to 1 to 2 pages
Always starts with education and includes publications, merit/tenure review	It always leads with work experience before education details
Generally, the information stays the same across jobs	Highly customized for the job

In the US and Canada, a CV and a resume are used in the way intended, but in most of Europe (the UK, Ireland, and other European countries), as well as New Zealand, recruiters use the CV for the resume. While in Australia and South Africa, these terms are used interchangeably. In South Asian countries like India and Bangladesh, CVs and resumes are used when applying for a job without distinction.

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4 CVs that stood out and why

Posted on March 31, 2022March 31, 2022 by poosarladileep

Writing a resume is not rocket science. But it does have its rules. Even rocket scientists need resumes, and a good one at that if they expect to land a job at companies like SpaceX or Blue Origin.

The problem is how do you get discovered at such companies when they get hundreds of resumes for every open position.

If you are a rocket scientist, we recommend preparing the best science resume that demonstrates your Wernher von Braun-level skills and sending it to the recruiters.

For the rest of you, we are about to share the top 4 CVs that should be out and explain what lessons you can take from them.

Read on to see the transformations your current resumes need.

A resume that says it all

Here’s a resume of a candidate who switched careers from aerospace program management to IT project management.

Pay attention to how the top section of her resume is crafted to include highlights of her accomplishment to meet the demand of the job. According to several eye-tracking studies, recruiters spend most of their time looking at the top-third section of a resume. They take only seven seconds to decide whether a candidate is fit for the role or not.

In this example, the resume has the relevant experience but with a sparkle. She highlighted-

“Saved 100 labour hours/wk & $500,000+ per year at B/E Aerospace through IT streamlining & automation.”

Any hiring manager will be insane if they overlook such an accomplishment, especially from a candidate who will be taking up a project management role.

This resume is an outstanding example of how to show off and quantify your achievements.

A resume that speaks in numbers

Here is another resume that focuses on presenting the accomplishment in numbers. We have often seen job seekers being too afraid of coming across as bull-headed. But this resume shows how a numeric representation of important accomplishments can make your resume look great.

This is a sales expert resume and it utilizes the numbers exceptionally well to highlight the performance of a sales professional.

Remember, numbers speak louder than words.

Thinking, “well, accomplishments can make a resume stand out, but it doesn’t apply to me as I don’t work with hard numbers”?

Get out of your head and learn to illustrate your work performance in the best way possible.

As a software professional, you can include your accomplishments in terms of performance improvements, automation numbers, projects successfully delivered, the number of teams you managed, and more.

Here’s a detailed resource you can refer to on how to add achievements to a resume.

Resume that’s ATS compliant

Application Tracking Software or ATS is now used by most companies to comb through a large number of resumes and select the best fitting ones.

An ATS is a resume sorting bot that collects, scans, and prioritizes resumes saving a lot of human hours for HR. Fortunately, it’s quite simple to make your resume stand out for both ATS and human recruiters.

Here is an example of a job well done.

First, the resume uses simple fonts that are readable to humans and machines alike. But most importantly, this resume stands out because it uses the right resume keywords. It uses phrases such as ‘IT strategies’, ‘IT department management, and ‘IT logistics’ and imitates the language of the job description.

Finally, just ATS-friendly content won’t help, the template must also be parsable like the example above. It has all the elements laid out strategically such that ATS can scan. It follows a reverse-chronological layout. Each section is easily identifiable and the selection of sections is not random. An ATS-friendly resume must have all the skills that are relevant as per the job description in the appropriate sections of the resume.

Pay attention to the template above, the skills and languages sections aren’t fillers but specifically chosen.

Resume that’s visually appealing

Chris Rowe is a creative leader who works as a freelancer as well as with several teams.

His resume is outstandingly creative not only because of its visual appearance but also how intensely well Chris describes himself in his resume. Pay attention to the section “The Intangibles.” He provided an insight into his capabilities as a visual artist who can create a truly unique digital experience for users uniquely and distinctively. Rather than sticking with explanatory summaries, he uses graphics to let recruiters know about his personality.

Also, he segregates his talent and skills as Knowledge, Design, Management & Communication. This lets recruiters immediately know about their main areas of expertise. As a front-end developer, you might take inspiration from Chris’ creative resume.

We hope these examples of CVs that stand out will provide you with the needed inspiration to transform your resume to catch the eyes of the recruiters.

Talent500 can help you more than just resume creation, we upskill and groom software professionals to land jobs at some of the biggest companies around the world. Join our elite team of talent to broaden your horizons.

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