In 10 seconds your CV can captivate… or repel

In 10 seconds your CV can captivate… or repel

I have been reviewing CVs and conducting interviews for more than 10 years, and this is what I can tell you.

Looking for a job is very similar to looking for a partner: the first impression counts, and a lot. Your résumé is your business card, and in just 10 seconds someone can decide whether they want to know more about you… or turn the page.

If your CV is clear, clean, and organized, you convey organization and professionalism. If it is messy or with confusing information, the idea you give is the opposite. It is like putting on your dating profile a photo of your room upside down and eating junk food while giving a “like” to someone sporty and tidy. Either you change your presentation, or you change your target.

What we want to see in your CV

• The latest thing you have done. We want to know what you are doing now and why you are looking for a job. In Spain, it is common for the CV not to be longer than 2 pages, unless you are applying for academic positions, which require listing the publications you have made, the conferences you have attended, etc. For the rest of us, less is more.

• A coherent trajectory. If you change jobs every six months and do not explain the reason, what we think is that you get bored quickly or that you do not fit into teams. A simple clarification such as “temporary contract” or “maternity leave cover” totally changes the perception. It is similar to meeting someone over 40 who has never had a stable relationship; that is a “red flag.”

• Sincerity. Never lie, they will catch you sooner or later, but do focus on what truly adds value. If your experience is not directly related to the position, highlight what is transferable: organization, dealing with people, teamwork…

The issue of English

Here there is no fooling yourself: a B1 is not advanced. Ordering a coffee on vacation is not having a professional level. Advanced is being able to hold a phone meeting in English without a problem. If that is not your case, do not inflate your level, it will only make you lose opportunities. If English is not required, they will call you anyway, do not worry.

Reflect on your added value

Of everything you have done, what makes you a good candidate? That is what should shine in your CV. You can even add a few lines of presentation to explain who you are, what you are looking for, and why that position makes sense for you.

And remember: there is no such thing as the unique CV. Bad news, you have to adapt it. The information is the same, but what you highlight changes depending on the type of position you apply for.

What about photos?

In my personal case, it makes no difference to me whether a résumé has a photo or not, since I do not evaluate a person by their image. However, in Spain there is still the custom of including it, and this can play either in your favor or against you.

If you decide to add one, make sure it is a professional photo. You do not need to wear a suit and tie, but you should ensure it conveys seriousness and is meant for a professional context. Avoid improvised crops where other people or distracting elements appear.

And here is an important detail: never put a group photo, with friends or even with a child. I have come across CVs like this and the only thing I think is… why? In a résumé the important thing is you, not your surroundings.

And if they don’t call you...?

Not being called back does not mean you are not good enough. It may be that there were too many résumés, that they were looking for someone with more experience, or that you are overqualified for the position, or simply that your expectations do not fit. Just like in relationships: sometimes the person in front of you is looking for strong emotions, skydiving, or traveling the world, and you prefer a quieter plan, going hiking and having a drink with friends. It is not that one is better than the other, it is that there is no compatibility and in the long run this difference will create friction.

That is why, take it seriously and take care of your first impression. Your CV is your best card: make sure it speaks well of you.

Here below I leave you the summary of practical tips that will help you have more opportunities in your job search:

7 express tips for your CV to work:

1. Order and clarity: chronologically ordered from the most recent, clean, simple, and easy to read.

2. Be realistic: if you do not meet at least 60% of the profile, do not waste your time.

3. Coherence: if you change every 6 months, explain the reason (“temporary contract”, “maternity leave cover”).

4. Honesty: do not make things up, but highlight what adds value.

5. Real English: ordering a coffee while traveling is not “advanced”. If you cannot hold a fluent meeting, adjust your level.

6. Adapt your CV: there is no such thing as a unique résumé, personalize it according to the position.

7. If they don’t call you, it is not personal rejection: sometimes there is simply no match. Like on a date: if someone seeks strong emotions and you are more into hiking and quiet plans, it is fine.

👉 Your CV is your business card. Make sure it speaks well of you from the very first second.