5 CV tricks for your job search in Denmark

Are you searching for a job in Denmark? And do you want a CV that arouses employers’ curiosity and makes them eagerly invite you for a job interview? Then keep on reading. In this article we will provide you with 5 simple CV tricks that’ll help you land in the pile of interesting CV’s the next time you apply for a job.

 

The characteristics of a good CV

 Common to all the good CVs is that they have a clear layout, are targeted to a specific company and position and are short and precise.
 

Here’s a list of what your CV should contain combined with some crucial check questions:

  • Contact info – Name, address, telephone number, mail, and LinkedIn profile link.

  • Profile text – Is it adapted to the position/company?

  • Work experience – Does it include work assignments, results and value creation?

  • Education – Does it briefly state how your education enables you to solve tasks?

  • Courses – Are they of any relevance for the company/job? If yes, write a short description.

  • Contact info – Name, address, telephone number, mail, and LinkedIn profile link.

  • Profile text – Is it adapted to the position/company?

  • Work experience – Does it include work assignments, results and value creation?

  • Education – Does it briefly state how your education enables you to solve tasks?

  • Courses – Are they of any relevance for the company/job? If yes, write a short description.

Starting from scratch with your CV writing?

  • Step 1: Start with a broader, standardized CV

    Start by writing a standard CV, which is a total list of your qualifications, your experience and your skills. Add all imaginable content that accurately describes what you – both in your work and through your education – have done.

    Consider this standard CV as your working paper. Important: Never send your standard CV to an employer. It is only your own, homemade working document.

  • Step 2: Write a targeted CV

Once you have made your standard CV, you can create a targeted CV. Depending on the company and what the position requires you pick content from your standard CV and make a targeted one.

The point is that you’re only supposed to mention information that is 100% relevant for the position that you’re applying for.

Now: The 5 CV tips

  • 1. Keep it short!

    Why? Because a recruitment process is significantly time consuming and employers don’t spend much time on screening CVs (on average 2 minutes & 3 seconds according to our Recruitment Analysis from 2017).

    Another reason you should keep it short, is due to the employers’ preferences for a short CV. Hence, 83% of companies prefer a CV of maximum 3 pages. Half of them actually want a CV to be no more than two pages.

 
  • 2. Remember a photo

    Not just anyone, but a proper one.  Your portrait must be decent, lifelike, and professional. A noisy background is a no go. 73% of employers estimate that it works positively with a photo on the CV. It is very simple: It is easier to remember you, when there is a face attached.

  • 3. Make an easy-to-read layout

    A clear and readable layout is also key. Thanks to our Recruitment Analysis 2018, we know that “a messy layout” is one of the Top 3 CV turnoffs among Danish employers. Also, 76% of companies spend less than 5 minutes on the first screening of both the CV and the application (Recruitment Analysis 2012).

    Clarity helps the receiver see if you’re the right match. Make sure it is easy for the employer to identify how well you match the expectations of the professional skills outlined in the job advert. A clear division between education, experience, hobbies, language etc. adds clarity.

    Also, consider highlighting your core skills by listing your 3-5 most important key skills in bullet points. 92% of the companies believe that it works well when the job seeker has highlighted his or her core competencies by using bullets.

  • 4. Structure your CV chronologically or by skills

Your CV can be structured in two ways:

1. The reverse chronological, where you start with your most present experience
2. The skills-based CV, where you focus on 3-5 core skills

We usually recommend the reverse chronological structure, although the skills-based CV is recommendable under these three circumstances:  If you have gaps in the chronologyIf you have had the same working tasks in connection with the positionsIf you lack work experience (newly qualified).

  • 5. Write a customised CV profile text

Capture the recipient’s attention with a small summary of 5-10 lines at the beginning of your CV. Make sure the reader focuses on your core competencies from the start. This brief profile paragraph is a concentrate of what you can and want to do.

Thus, the text is dynamic and should be customized towards each job. This section is the only part of the CV, where you’re supposed to be looking forward instead of giving a resumé on your past experience.

Who is the Consultancy Ballisager?

 

  • Nationwide consultancy with 60 employees

  • Specialists in career counselling, recruitment and outplacement

  • Since 2008, we have helped over 35,000 recent graduates get jobs.

  • Publishes an annual recruitment analysis in which the companies’ recruitment behaviour is uncovered. Read more here.

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