What To Put In Your CV: The Essential Sections

CV Advice: Are you going to apply for a job offer and need to create or redo a CV? No offense to those continually announcing its end, but the CV remains an essential tool in 2023. Organizing and grouping all the information you wish to share into different sections is better for presenting your profile, training, and background as clearly as possible. Some are essential, and others can distinguish you from other candidates and should be addressed… Here is our step-by-step advice for writing and perfecting your CV.

Other essential (but sometimes optional) sections of the CV

Although these sections are often present in CVs, they are only sometimes necessary. Think about the relevance, in your situation, of including them.

The Languages ​Section

Concerning the languages ​​section, it will be essential if you are targeting a company based abroad, working internationally, or if the use of a language is required for the position in question. When in doubt, it will never be disadvantageous for you to include them, especially if you speak one or more of them fluently.

Good to know: here’s how to talk about your language level: if you only have some school memories of the language, just put “notions.” If you can practice the wording but not use it daily for work, you can place “read, write, speak”. If you are very comfortable reading, writing, and conversing, indicate “fluent.” The term “bilingual” is reserved for perfect mastery of the language.

Our Cadremploi advice: if you want to highlight your language level, have it assessed by taking a test (TOEIC or TOEFL for English, DCL for many other languages).

The Computer Language Section

This section should be understood like that of languages. Again, its relevance will depend on the job sought, with specific positions requiring mastery of particular IT tools.

Good to know: to specify your level, use a calibration here too: “concepts,” “us,” “good mastery,” or even “expert.”

The Leisure Section

The interests section of the CV may seem trivial or even useless, but this is not the case. It brings a lively touch and allows you to personalize your CV. Recruiters appreciate consulting it: they will be interested in an original, rewarding hobby or even one they have in common with you.

You can indicate in this section:

• the sports or activities you practice regularly;
• what you enjoy doing in your free time (reading, cultural outings, cinema, concerts, etc.);
• a particular interest you have in something, a passion;
• the instruments you play if you are a musician;
• any personal or collective extra-professional achievement;
• your associative activities and commitments.

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Six Original CV Sections To Stand Out

If the most creative can afford to play the card of original CVs in form, the others can differentiate their CV in substance. Here are some ideas for sections to stand out from the crowd.

Create A Section On Professional Failures

CVs are generally precise summaries of success stories: great studies, two or 3-digit progress in an activity, total commitment to a project, etc. However, these beautiful journeys are often punctuated by failures. However, some can work in your favour in front of a recruiter. Being able to evoke them, analyze them, explain their reason or how you would have done it now demonstrates your ability to bounce back and question yourself. This is a great way to illustrate your resilience

Add A Box Dedicated To Your Digital Presence

Indicating your X account (formerly Twitter), a link to your blog, a Slideshare presentation, or your LinkedIn profile on your CV is becoming increasingly common. If you have a social media strategy and want to highlight this digital engagement, why not dedicate a box to it in your CV?

Rethink The Training Section

Generally, this section lists diplomas obtained during an initial course or even in continuing education, but a little more. If you have followed a severe certification course (a MOOC, training thanks to your CPF, a VAE, etc.), or if you have learned a language on your own, it is appropriate to specify this.

Build An Entrepreneur Business

Another idea for a section you may have already thought about is one dedicated to your experience as an entrepreneur. Have you launched an e-store? Do not hesitate to indicate it. It doesn’t matter if you are still in business, have failed, or sold your business. What matters is to identify your experience as an entrepreneur.

The References Section

Your professional references section will allow you to mention the names, first names, positions, and contact details of the people you have identified as references. For example, former colleagues or managers will be able to validate the integrity of your words and inform the recruiter about your behavior in the professional environment. The fact that these people agree to vouch for you is a severe sign of commitment and the quality of your work.

Dedicate A Section To Your Role As Trainer

If you regularly teach courses in a school, university, training organization, or even within your company, this deserves a box in your CV. Specify the themes and the learning method you offer. You will then have the dual role of trained candidate and trainer. Signs of curiosity, openness, and ease in speaking in public can strike a chord with a recruiter, especially for management positions.

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