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Master the art of the CV

Tips to create a CV that delivers results.

Length

  • Two pages are ideal. The top of the first page should feature your contact information: name, phone number and e-mail. Pro tip: add a link to your LinkedIn profile if you have one.
  • Get straight to the point: introduce yourself in a few words and talk about your career ambitions and professional experience.
  • Highlight your professional experiences, starting with the most recent, as well as your outstanding achievements. Explain briefly why these would make you a candidate who banks at another level.

Tone

  • Be concrete: put forward your most tangible achievements, backing them up with real figures relating to your experience (for example, "I managed a team of xx people" or "I managed a portfolio of $xx").
  • Choose action verbs that will have an impact (direct, develop, analyze, etc.) to capture the recruiter's attention.
  • Include keywords related to the position that are found in the job posting, so as to create continuity between the position and your application.

Presentation

  • Use a simple, legible font. Whenever possible, divide your information into bulleted lists to make your CV more structured.
  • Be sure to read and reread the contents of your CV; spelling mistakes can be perceived as a sign of carelessness.

Other tips

  • Do you speak and write more than one language? Mention it.
  • Pagination will make your CV easier to read.
  • Certain personal information should not appear on your CV, such as your date of birth, social insurance number or marital status, among others.
  • Your CV should not have your photo.

Cover letter

This is the letter accompanying your resume. Written in a concise style, it allows you to make a good impression by summarizing your qualifications, your career goals and the reasons why you’d like to work at BDC.

  • Indicate how your professional profile, experience, achievements and skills correspond to the available position’s target profile and requirements.
  • List your strengths clearly.
  • Highlight any experience that could help you be selected for the position.

One final tip: If you want to stand out from the others, avoid copying examples of cover letters found online.

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