Curriculum Vitae
The preparation of the application begins with the CV. This way you can sort out your data and filter out important points for the cover letter. The CV is the most important document in an application! Recruiters usually look at it first because it provides the best overview of the applicant. Therefore, the following principle also applies: The CV should contain everything that is also mentioned in the cover letter.
Pay attention to the following criteria:
- clear (well structured/categorised, readable, easy to understand)
- concise (no duplicate entries)
- complete (all important and relevant information is included, no gaps)
- consistent (no mix of styles, same chronological order)
- up-to-date
Structure and contents of a CV
1. Personal Data
- Address:
- Email:
- Phone:
- Date of birth/Place:
- Nationality:
- Marital status: (optional)
2. Work Experience
- Period (to the month):
- Company name:
- Position:
- Tasks (very brief, bullet point description)
3. Study
- Period (to the month)
- Name of university
- Degree
- Course of study
- Specialisation
- Grade, if applicable
4. School Education
- Period (to the month)
- Name of school
- Degree
Only the school at which the higher education entrance qualification was obtained is stated, in rare cases all school-leaving qualifications. However, vocational training is always indicated.
5. Personal Skills and Expertise
- Further education and training courses, special additional qualifications and certifications; driving licence(s). Select the continuing education courses relevant to the job.
- Computer courses should only be listed if they are not older than approx. 1 year, except for complex special programmes.
- Computer skills should be listed similarly to language skills according to level of knowledge e.g. constant, regular or occasional use, basic knowledge
- Preferred area of interest from studies e.g. programming languages, etc. Essentials that are relevant to the job
6. Language Skills
Language skills are assessed with
- mother tongue,
- business fluent,
- fluent
- conversational
- good knowledge or
- basic knowledge
The language level actually mastered is always indicated.
Another possibility is to indicate the language level according to the European Framework of Reference, which can also be verified by certificates.
7.Voluntary Commitment and Private Interests
Volunteer work and hobbies can be listed, but do not have to be. They provide information about your soft skills such as organisational talent, creativity or willingness to take risks. They also enable companies to find out more about the applicant's personality and are therefore generally viewed positively. In the case of honorary positions (volunteer work in associations, social projects, university committees and initiatives, etc.), it is best to list them as if they were professional experience: Period of time, organisation, key activities. Especially as a young professional, these activities are interesting for companies.
Career Service
Markus Haubold
Beratung, Stipendien, Unternehmenskontakte, Jobportal
+49 375 536 1343
markus.haubold[at]fh-zwickau.de
Gina Flachsbart
(in Mutterschutz/Elternzeit)
Beratung internationaler Studierender, Projekt Praxis+