Dear student

Below you will find an overview of the structure and the most important dos and don'ts when designing your curriculum vitae. We are pleased that we were able to win our corporate partners for this project and that you can see their input in the videos. At the end of the page you will find our CV templates. In case of further questions, please contact us.

General

The purpose of your resume is to present your career. Keep in mind that recruiters have limited time for screening your CV, in fact only between 30 seconds and one minute. Therefore, it is important to focus on the following:

  1. Have a well- structured design
  2. A maximum of 2 pages
  3. A clear and legible font, not smaller than 9 pts or 10 pts.
  4. Avoid spelling and grammatical errors
  5. Short and concise wording
  6. Authentic representation of your personality
  7. For our students: Include military time in your CV
  8. Application for UK / US: Maximum one page
  9. Additional application US: No photo and no personal information such as age or gender. Focus on personal successes and achievements.

Photo

We recommend that you include a photo in your CV. It is not an obligation, but it is common in the DACH region. Please note the following:

 

  1. Use a professional image and ensure good resolution
  2. Please smile
  3. Don’ts: Casual clothing and private background

Personal details

This section includes your personal contact information:

 

  1. Name, nationality, date of birth, mobile number, email address and postal address. In addition, we recommend referring to your LinkedIn profile.
  2. Please don't: Don't use an unprofessional email address like hellrider666@gmail.com

Profile

Optionally, you can write a short and concise summary of yourself here. Please note the following:

 

  1. Stay specific, concrete and state your relevant competencies, interests and/or values ​​(your USP) in 3-4 sentences. We recommend using an USP especially if it fits well to the position.
  2. Please no: Generalizations and the resolution of adjectives such as “Performance-based“ without further explanation.

Education

Here you can outline the main stages of your education

 

  1. Reverse chronological representation: The current course first.
  2. If relevant for the desired position, you can provide additional information about courses attended, bachelor and / or master theses as well as practical projects.
  3. You can also enter the current grade point average, but this is not a requirement.
  4. Please list any exchange semesters in an extra point.
  5. Don’ts: No complete list of all courses attended. This information is most sent in the appendix.

Work experience

Here you present your work experience from your previous internships etc. Please note the following:

 

  1. Reverse chronological representation: Name the last experience first.
  2. Make sure you don't just mention the employer. The details of your main tasks, projects, activities etc. is much more important.
  3. Stay specific: Avoid meaningless points such as "help in sponsoring". Better: «Creation of tailor-made presentations for the acquisition of new sponsors»
  4. If your employer is not so well known, it is advisable to describe it in 1-2 sentences
  5. Depending on the level of study (specially assessment or Bachelor), your "student jobs" (e.g. checkout at Migros, service in the restaurant) are relevant professional experience and we recommend mentioning it.
  6. Please no:  Listing employers names without a detailed description of the activities.

Extracurricular experience

With extracurricular experience, you can gain additional work experience. Our corporate partners repeatedly emphasize that they are welcomed and valued as work experience. Please note the following:

 

  1. Reverse chronological representation: name the last experience first.
  2. Extracurricular activities include engagement in which you have ACTIVE relevant skills and experience. For example, student clubs at the HSG, sports clubs, social engagement etc.
  3. Please don't: Do not list any hobbies, these will come later in the CV

Language and IT skills

This is about the representation of skills. Please note the following:

 

  1. Very important: Please evaluate your knowledge honestly and realistically. It may be that your skills are examined more closely during the application process.
  2. You are welcome to enclose diplomas and certificates.
  3. Please no: List of basic knowledge that is not relevant for the position.

Hobbies and interest

Here you have the possibility to tell more about yourself and your personality by listing hobbies and interests. Please note the following:

 

  1. We recommend listing up to max. 5 hobbies and interests that are relevant to you. With this you complement a personality profile. In addition, these points often help to be “icebreakers” or “small talk” topics during the interview.
  2. Also applies here; remain specific. So, for example, not just write "sport", but what kind of sport you do. Maybe you are in a club? Add this as well.
  3. Don’ts:  List only hobbies and interests that you are really passionate about.

CV Examples

Please download  the CV templates for the relevant regions.

CV DACH Region

CV Template for use in Switzerland, Germany and Austria

CV UK

CV Template for use in the United Kingdom

CV USA

CV Template for use in the United States

LinkedIn Checklist

Use our LinkedIn Checklist to optimize your LinkedIn Profile

Available now!

Watch our Online Sessions

Watch our Online Session with helpful Inisghts about CV and cover letter.