#1 Send application, create a CV

This blog is part of our blog series: application guide: the process for finding a job abroad! Have you read them all?

• #1 Send application, create a CV
• #2 Getting to know you
• #3 Your job interview with the employer
• #4 You got the job!

This blog covers your CV. Something that is best to have from the first step. Let’s dive in!

Essentials

Every CV consists of several basic elements such as your personal information, work experience, education, skills, and languages. Make sure you create a complete CV, so you have the best presentation for the job and show you are a great fit. 

💡 Tip: If you find it challenging to make a selection of characteristics that are typical for you, ask your family or friends how they see you as a person!

Since the basic elements of every CV are the same for every applicant, you want to catch the attention in a different way. You can do this with the design of your CV. The use of colors and fonts can also make your CV stand out (and no, it's not Comic Sans ;)). There are many online possibilities to make your CV shine! For example, use the program Canva to create your CV. On this website, you will also find many templates that you can use. Do not choose a template from the top row immediately, as you will not be the only one using it.

No CV? No problem! We've got your back. Make a profile on our website and download our CV template for free. Fill in your personal information and voila, you have a good-looking CV!

Personal information

Under the heading 'personal details', the following components are a must:

• First and last name
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Address
• Phone number
• Email address

Do you have any other relevant information for this section of your CV, such as a driver's license or an up-to-date LinkedIn profile? Add them.

Profile

In your profile, write a brief statement of your ambitions and skills in two to three sentences. This gives an impression of who you are and what you want to achieve. This is not a mandatory element, but it is super relevant because it says more about you as a person.

Example: “After working with great enthusiasm in the hospitality industry for two years, I am ready for a new challenge. With an eye for detail, good listening skills, and a positive attitude I’m the perfect for any job that connects me with people.”

Work experience

One of the most important elements on a resume is your work experience. It shows if you have experiences that are of added value to the company. For each job, list the basic information like: job title, employer, and period in months and years. In addition, briefly describe your tasks and responsibilities during this position with a few keywords. Tip: Always list your most recent work experience at the top!

For example:

January 2021 - January 2024

Sales assistant

Zara

• Providing customers with advice
• Answering questions
• Keeping inventory up to date
• Setting up displays
• Processing sales

If you have done volunteer work, be sure to mention this on your resume. It is often appreciated when people give back to society. You can also list internships under work experience.

No work experience yet?

If you haven't built up much or any work experience, you can mention interesting or relevant projects you did in school. Mention your role during the project and which characteristics came in handy!

Education

For education, the most recent education goes on top. Under this heading, mention the period you followed the education, the name of the educational institution, and the name of the study.

It will look like this:

September 2018 - June 2022

NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences Leeuwarden

Bachelor of Business Administration in Leisure Management

Degree obtained

Did you take an interesting minor, thesis, or extra study activities? Be sure to mention them!

(Language) Skills

When working abroad, you often work in an international environment. Therefore, it is a plus to mention which languages you speak and at what level. European language levels range from A1/A2 (basic user) to C1/C2 (fluent). For the employer, it is relevant at which level you master English. Often, the training for your new position is in English and this is also often the main language of communication within the company itself. 

Aren't you a native speaker and you're not sure what your English level is? There are useful online tests available, such as the Preply test.

In this section, you can also describe relevant skills that you master, such as Excel, InDesign, leadership, organization, etc. 

💡 Tip: highlight interesting skills for the job. For example, have you done volunteer work abroad? Make sure it stands out so the recruiter can quickly see that you already have experience working abroad!

Checklist

You now know exactly how to make a fantastic first impression with your CV! It's almost time to add the document to your Yobbers profile. Just a quick final check:

• You have outlined your personal details, work experience, education, language skills, and competencies
• A professional photo has been added to your CV. The recruiter will remember your name better when they have a face to match it to!
• You have checked the spelling and grammar
• The document looks organised and has a logical sequence
• You have tailored your CV to the job vacancy
• The length is one to two pages
• Your CV has been saved as a PDF file - this is important, otherwise the layout may shift when someone else opens the file! Additionally, sending your CV as a PDF also looks more professional than in a Word-document

If you can tick off the above items on the checklist, then you are good to go! In our next blog, you will learn how to prepare for step 2: getting to know you.