1. Always customise your CV to the particular position and company. Be sure to emphasise what is most relevant to the job for which you are applying.
2. Keep the CV within two pages. You can also write a one-page version to bring along to careers fairs.
3. Write the CV in the same language as the job advertisement.
4. You can find CV templates online or in Word (file – new).
5. Keep your CV updated and error-free.

1. Write in reverse chronological order, with your most recent experiences first.
2. If you are a student, you will probably want to list your education first in your CV. An exception is if your work experiences are more relevant for the position.
3. The order of the remaining sections depends on relevance. Whether it is computer, language skills or skills from volunteering or courses, place the most relevant experiences as early as possible in the resume.
4. Place references at the end.

Name 

Make your name stand out by using a larger font than you use for the other major headings. Do not include “Curriculum Vitae”, the employer understands what this is.

Picture

It has become more common to include a picture of yourself, but this is not mandatory. However, if you do include a picture, a professional looking picture is preferable.

Contact information and birthdate 

Include your address, phone number, e-mail and birthdate. Consider including link to your LinkedIn profile. The employer may check it out, so be sure to have an up-to-date LinkedIn profile.

1. You can include a short, specific, clear objective statement or profile. Though it is not strictly necessary, it can be helpful. It is an opportunity to catch the attention right from the start.
2. Be specific. A generic objective is worthless. Target the objective or profile to the specific position you are interested. Sum up the skills and experiences most relevant for the job.

1.

• Programmer position in educational software development
• Experience of teamwork in IT company
• Have used VMware virtual network in my work with network infrastructure

2.

• High-level knowledge in Excel and BI systems
• Experience in budgeting and writing reports
• Managed sales staff of 5; hiring, training and scheduling

3.

• Experience in writing minutes of meetings
• Arranged and held lectures for large groups
• Fluent speaker in English and is currently studying Norwegian

Describe what you have learned from your studies in 2-3 sentences. Read the learning outcomes for your study programme. Highlight what is most relevant from your specialisation and/ or transferable skills. Present your competence for different positions in different ways, depending the specifications in the job advertisement.

Some employers want to see when you graduated from high school. If you have a gap before starting higher education, be sure to provide information about this later in the CV. Completing all or part of the high school program abroad can provide information about your language skills and intercultural understanding.

1: This includes paid work. If you have a lot of work experience, you might want to use the headline Relevant work experience. If so, consider if it is necessary to include another section called Other work experiences.

2: Instead of listing what the work place («we») did, describe what your duties and responsibilities were.

3: You might think that you have no relevant work experience. However, you probably have skills that are transferable to any job. So describe your experiences smart! For example, if you have experience of working in a café, making sandwiches might not be relevant for the current job application. However, your experience with customer relations can be useful. If you were responsible for balancing the cash register, it will show that you were trusted by your employer. If you have experience with telemarketing, you might have achieved good communication skills. Have previous work experiences given you management skills, skills to handle stressful situations well or cooperate with others?

4: A few students have already had many different summer jobs from a young age, and wonder if they should include everything. The rule of thumb is if the job is relevant, you can include experiences 10 years back in time. Include 5 years if the experience is not relevant. However, there is no right or wrong answer here.

1. Waiter at Lolo’s restaurant: Responsibility for training of new staff and supply orders. Maintained good customer relations and worked cash register.
2. Student worker at Lovely University: Responsibility for planning and leading arrangement for new students at my department.
3. Assistant at a kindergarten: Caretaking of 20 children in the age of 2-5. Participating in conducting parent- teacher conferences.

1. If you have little or no courses or experience from volunteering, you can skip their individual sections, and present it here.

2. You can include leisure activities here if you want, e.g. sports, creative activities, travelling.

3. If you have a driving license, and it is relevant for the job.

4. Mandatory military service, maternity leave or care leave. Remember dates for this.

References are persons who can talk about your work experience, work habits, character and skills.

It is now more common to write "References are available upon request" in your CV, and have the list of references prepared going to an interview.

1. Ask your references in advance before you give out their names.
2. Provide 2-3 references that will say good things about you, preferably concerning your skills relevant to the position.
3. Tell your references when you go to an interview, and for what position. Then they are prepared and can highlight your most relevant qualities.
4. It is most common to use a former job manager as a reference. You can also ask your thesis supervisor, colleagues, teachers or others that can provide information relevant to the position.

Examples of what hiring mangers ask when they call your references:

• What was NN’s responsibilities working for/with you?

• How did NN handle these responsibilities?

• How will you describe NN personality and social skills in the workplace?

• What role did NN play in team situations?

• How did NN get along with co-workers, management or employees that NN supervised?

• Did NN work well independently? Did NN often seek advise from others?

• How did NN handle pressure or stress?

• Did NN’s work responsibilities change when working for/with you? How did NN handle the changes?

• If you had the opportunity, would you re-hire this job candidate? Why or why not?