You never get a second chance to make first impression. To make a good impression on a company, you need to compose a well-written, concise, and compelling CV.
How to prepare an impressive CV? Is it the one that makes you shine or the one that perfectly correlates with the available position and shows how you fit in? As usual, the truth is somewhere in the middle. In this article, we'll explain how to write a CV that presents you as a qualified professional that is a perfect fit for your desired position and how to make your CV stand out from the competition.
Note that all CVs for EPAM Anywhere must be written in English. Since our hiring process involves not only HR managers from our team, but also our clients and technical advisors, we've created a unified CV submission process. So, polish your English and get your CV prepared according to our rules!
A summary is a brief and concise overview of your core qualifications, strongest skills, and other competitive advantages. The perfect length of a summary is 7-10 sentences. You can present the information in the form of a bulleted list for better readability and to facilitate skimming.
At EPAM Anywhere, the summary is one of the vital blocks on your CV. When it is done well, it helps you immediately make a connection and use key terms that match the position description. When recruiters scan your CV, they want to find the skills, qualifications, and experience that the position requires. A carefully crafted summary helps you create an "aha" moment for the reader and clearly indicates why you're applying for the job.
A summary also demonstrates your efforts to create a tailored CV and your motivation to get the job.
Here's the summary structure you can follow in your CV:
Summary example:
Finally, consider these do's and don'ts when composing the summary section:
Do: create long-lasting positive impressions by using strong verbs and describing goals and the results achieved.
Don't: include personal information, such as your marital status or work experience that is irrelevant to the vacancy you're applying to.
When it comes to skills and qualifications, the right presentation is key. An effective CV is scannable and readable, so make sure your skills section stands out. Again, a bulleted list can be useful to present your skills.
Let's see how to write a successful CV specifically for EPAM Anywhere. Here's a short checklist to follow when describing your technical qualifications:
Also, specify your knowledge of foreign languages like English and include your level according to a CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) standard: A1, A2, B1, B2, and so on.
Next, let's review how to write a successful CV section concerning your working experience. This section is a place where you'll back up what you've said in your summary.
What format is best to present your working experience? Recruiters look for the following:
Don't necessarily describe all of the companies you've worked for. Four or five past companies with relevant experience and job responsibilities are enough. You should include the essential information like employment dates, positions, and company names, and then describe, in detail, all of your tasks and responsibilities for each company featured on your CV. Organize the information in reverse chronological order, starting from the most recent project or company and working backward from there.
An example of a good description of your past projects is the following:
Pro tip: when describing your past working responsibilities, use strong verbs and avoid passive voice.
Example:
Environment. List all of the technologies you've successfully used on the project (Java, Spring, Hibernate, Maven, MySQL, Scrum…)
Try to avoid unnecessary jargon like acronyms, abbreviations, or any other concepts and terms that are not widely accepted in the industry, and might only be familiar to your former colleagues.
In this section, identify the universities you graduated from and the degrees or certifications (if any) that you received. Here, too, the information should be organized in reverse chronological order, starting from the most recent experience, and working backward from there.
Keep the education section organized. Our simple rules are the following:
Next, some final thoughts on how to make an impressive CV. If you have some achievements like certificates, and learning accomplishments, it makes sense to include them on your CV. But don't rush to add them all. Here's what recruiters expect to see in a recognitions section:
To prove you've been growing professionally despite the employment gap, consider adding information about the experiences you've had during that time. Maybe you acted as a consultant, volunteered to help local businesses, or received additional training? Anything that shows that you've been developing your skills just like other job seekers can help you explain a gap in your employment history.
And stay focused on the positive no matter what. Frame any challenges on your CV as opportunities and lessons you've learned, rather than problems you couldn't handle. Employers are looking for creative people with a positive attitude who can admit their mistakes and move forward after difficulties.
After reading this blog post, have you found the gaps that prevent you from your most effective CV? Here is a short recap from us:
Here’s a downloadable template of an ideal CV that will help you be well-prepared when applying for a job with EPAM Anywhere :)
Happy CV writing!