Your CV and Résumé is a pitch document

It's not a report. It exists to grab attention.

Your CV or Résumé is a presentation document (1~2 pages most). It’s not a report. The objective of the CV is not to get a job or an offer — that comes much later in the process. If you are successful.

The CV exists to attract attention and get an interview.

Recruiters are people. They are tired, lack time, and have problems to solve. Make it easy for them to make the right choices and contact you. Recruiters and managers want your success. Don’t make their lives harder than needed.

Recruiters take 3 ~ 5 seconds to scan a document. Top to bottom, left to right. They do this all day, every day, and have been doing this for years. You have 3 seconds to show how your expertise adds value to the company and the recruiter. 1… 2… 3… time’s up.

Start with a personal statement. 3 ~ 4 lines at most. Include years of experience, industries, major roles, primary education, and certifications. You are a person too, so include 2 ~ to 3 personal traits. Recruiters interview people, not robots.

Your professional experience should include the role, company, active years, and at most 3 ~ 4 bullet points (try to keep one line per bullet point) that show how your presence and work enabled the company to grow its business.

Most recent experience should be more detailed.

Less recent experience, less detail.

Interact in a way that establishes a trustworthy relationship with the recruiters.