Perhaps months of pondering and weighing, you finally see it: the job vacancy of your dreams! The pressure mounted on you to seize this one opportunity might be high, so it is best to be very well informed and prepared for the steps ahead. So without further ado, this blog will dive into diverse essentials of the application process, to get you where you want to be!

Writing a CV
Well then, once you have found a vacancy that you would like to apply to, it is time to perfect your CV! CV is short for curriculum vitae, which is Latin for course of life. The CV sums up all your experiences and important information about your character and personality. When you’re first applying for a job, it might be overwhelming on what to put on your CV, and whatnot. We are here to help you and give you some tips to write the perfect CV!

First, it is important to start off with your name and contact details. In this way, future employers know exactly who you are and how to contact you! Then, write a little biography about yourself. Tailor this to the company or institution you are applying for. In this biography, include some key highlights of yourself, your skills and what you hope to achieve. This is a catchy way to stand out from the other applicants, as employers can quickly see who you are. 

Then, note down all your experiences. Start with either your education or work experience, whichever is stronger. If you don’t have much work experience yet, begin with your education. Otherwise, lead with your work history! It is important that both work and educational experiences are listed in the opposite chronological order, meaning that your current or most recent job should be at the top of the list. Your current job or education are the most relevant for future employers, and should therefore top the list! For your work experiences, list the name of the company or institution, the dates that you worked there, your position and a little 2-3 sentence description of your daily tasks. Education wise, include the name of the institution, the dates of attending and the name and/or title of your studies. Do you have any gaps in your work experience, and have a reason for those? You can put them on your CV too if they add to your chances. For instance, if you have backpacked in Asia for 5 months, you can put that on there as a career break!

To put yourself ahead of the pack, include your relevant skills in a separate section. These can be skills you have learned in previous jobs or education, like project management, organisational skills, or leadership. If you have learned to work with certain programmes and they are relevant, put them down too! Think of Adobe, Canva, SPSS, SEO, or a field specific platform like Mews, which is a hotel reservation system. Lastly, state which languages you have mastered and on what level. You can choose to add the CEFR language levels, but you can also use wording like basic, fluent, or mother tongue, especially when applying outside of Europe!

If you have any other related experiences, like a committee or a board year, put that on your CV too. Keep in mind that everything needs to be ordered from most recent to least recent! Any obtained certificates or qualifications can also be put in a separate section. Moreover, add a column on your CV explaining your hobbies or interests. These can show soft skills you have, like teamwork, volunteering, etc. They also reflect your personality, which can make you stand out from other candidates. However, make sure this section also fits the employer you are applying at.

Then, you might be wondering whether you should add a photo of yourself or not. This again is highly dependent on where you are applying. In some cultures, a photo is acceptable, in others, like the UK, the US, and Canada, photos should not be done to avoid bias. If you do add a picture, make sure it is a clear headshot with a neutral background.

Lastly, big companies and institutions often use Applicant Tracking Systems, so make sure your CV is ATS-friendly. With this system, CVs are automatically filtered on certain aspects. If the ATS cannot read your CV, they automatically decline it! Therefore, you should adhere to some standards. Always use simple fonts, like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Stick to standard headings that ATS can recognise, like Work Experience, Education, or Skills. Optimise your keywords to match them with wording from the job vacancy. And lastly, always send your CV in .pdf or .docx, unless the vacancy states another type of format. 

What is the difference between a CV and a resume?
Contrary to what might be expected, a CV and a resume are not the same. They differ in length, purpose, and contents. Depending on where you are applying, you might have to choose between a CV and a resume. The resume is mostly used in the United States and Canada, in other countries, a CV and resume are practically the same. 

A resume is shorter than a CV. It is completely tailored to the company the application is meant for. This means that only the relevant skills, experiences, and information is mentioned on the resume. A CV can also include research done, more detailed descriptions of experiences, and publications. The resume should include a personal biography in which you explain what kind of job you are looking for with what kind of employer. In the US and Canada, resumes are used for most jobs, while a CV is necessary for a job in academia or research.

Are you applying for a job outside of the United States or Canada? Follow the steps as laid down above to build a perfect CV! If you are applying for a job in the US or Canada, make sure you know whether to write a CV or a resume!

Writing a motivation letter
So your CV is perfect now! However, that might not convince a future employer to hire you just yet, as you also need to present yourself in an enthusiastic and well-written letter. Employers might call it a motivation letter, a cover letter, or an application letter, but they all come down to the same thing. The letter is a way to brag about yourself, to explain more in depth about your experiences and why they should matter to the future employer, and to lay down what you want from a future job. Sounds hard? No worries, we’re here to help!

Of course, you need to start off the letter professionally with a fitting greeting. What comes next might be the most important part of your letter, you need to grab the attention of the reader! Future employers might read tens or even hundreds of letters for the same position, so make yourself stand out! State for which job you’re applying, and add a hook. Write a quick enthusiastic sentence referencing a key experience, strength, or interest that is related to the job. This makes the reader remember you, which is very important in the highly competitive fields of today. 

In the next paragraph, you should explain a few things. You need to convince the employer that they should hire you, so be bold and explain to them why you are better than any other candidate. You can mention previous work experiences and highlight relevant and important tasks you have done or achievements you have made there. Highlight personal qualities that show you're a strong fit for the team. Also explain why you’ve chosen their organisation over others. For this, you should research the place you’re applying at. Look at their values, company culture, projects, activities, and history. Referencing this when explaining why you want to work somewhere convinces the employer that you are truly interested in the company or institution.

To close your letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and place of work again. State that you have attached your CV with further information on your experiences and qualifications. Keep your closing paragraph professional and confident. A strong closing can create a lasting impression!

Lastly, there are a few rules you should follow for writing your letter. Keep your tone personal but professional, try to match it to the text of the job vacancy to increase your chances. Do not repeat what is already in your CV, but make them complementary. Additionally, the letter should be approximately 1 page. Since your future employer might have to review a high volume of applications, a concise letter increases the chances that yours will be read and remembered! With these tips, you should have the perfect CV and motivation letter, we are sure you will be invited for that interview!

The interview
Well then, that daunting date is drawing ever closer. If you’ve followed previous steps however, your CV should’ve proven itself suitable to get you into this job interview, and set a good expectation for your possible employer. On the other hand, expectation can be intimidating, and the preparation doesn’t stop here. But fear not, the Career Committee’s counseling will not leave you on your own here, as there is more advice to be bestowed. 

So firstly, prepare yourself well for the interview! Think about possible questions they might ask and prepare some answers so you will look well thought-out and confident during the conversation. Common questions often regard your strengths, weaknesses, past experiences, and why you’re interested in the position or the company. However, refrain from sounding like a response machine: don’t just memorize answers, practice speaking naturally, so your responses come across as authentic rather than rehearsed.

Secondly, research the company thoroughly. Know their values, recent projects, and company culture, as this will help you tailor your answers to align with what they’re looking for and demonstrate genuine interest. Being able to reference something specific about the company can make a strong impression and show that you're proactive and enthusiastic!

Third, make sure your presentation matches your professionalism. Dress appropriately for the company’s environment, even if it’s a virtual interview. Making sure of a professional appearance and a tidied-up background (for video calls) shows respect and seriousness, which employers likely appreciate.

And finally, don’t forget: interviews are a two-way street. Prepare a couple of thoughtful questions to ask them. This not only signals your engagement but helps you determine if the company is the right fit for you too. Applying for a job in general can be a tightrope, where you have to navigate the desire for a job and staying true to yourself. Don’t get too caught up in pleasing the interviewer for the sake of making a good impression, it shouldn’t go against your actual personality or have priority over finding a job that actually fits you!

All that is left now is for you to have fun with your new job, good luck!

By Nieck Weeke and Caspar Lemmens