How to Create a CV That Impresses Employers

A well-functioning CV is the foundation of any job application. It's often the first thing employers see, and you only have a few seconds to make a good impression. But what separates a good CV from a mediocre one?

Start with the most important information first

Employers spend an average of 6-7 seconds on the first review of a CV. Therefore, the most important information must be visible immediately. Always start with:

• Full name and contact information at the top and clearly visible
• A short, powerful summary that summarizes who you are professionally (2-3 sentences)
• Key competencies that match the position you're applying for

With Jobbna's CV builder, you can easily organize this information professionally. The tool helps you structure the content so the most important information always comes first.

Tailor your CV to each position

A generic CV sent to all positions rarely works. The success formula is to adapt your CV to each individual position:

Read the job posting carefully

Identify keywords and competencies the employer is looking for. If they're seeking someone with "project management" and "Scrum experience," make sure these words appear in your CV (if you have this experience).

Prioritize relevant experience

Do you have 10 years of work experience? You don't need to list everything. Focus on the roles and tasks that are most relevant to the position you're applying for.

Use industry language

Every industry has its own language. Use terminology that's common in your industry, but avoid excessive use of jargon.

Structure work experience effectively

When describing previous jobs, follow this structure:

Job Title | Company Name | Period

Then 2-4 bullet points describing:

• Your main responsibilities (short and concise)
• Concrete results and achievements
• Relevant projects or responsibilities

Example:

Marketing Manager | TechStart AS | 2021-2024

• Led team of 5 people and increased digital visibility by 150%
• Implemented new content strategy that generated 40% more leads
• Responsible for marketing budget of 2 million NOK annually

In Jobbna's CV builder, you can easily add and edit work experience, and the system helps you maintain consistent and professional formatting.

Highlight your achievements, not just tasks

There's a big difference between listing work tasks and showing actual results:

❌ Weak: "Responsible for sales"
✅ Strong: "Increased sales by 35% through implementation of new sales strategy"

❌ Weak: "Worked with customer service"
✅ Strong: "Handled 50+ customer inquiries daily with 98% customer satisfaction"

Use numbers and concrete examples when possible. This makes your experience more credible and impressive.

Education and competencies

Education

List education in reverse chronological order. For recent graduates, this can come before work experience. Include:

• Degree/title
• Educational institution
• Year (or expected completion)
• Relevant subjects or specializations

Skills

Divide skills into categories that make sense for your industry:

• Technical skills: Software, tools, systems
• Languages: Norwegian (native), English (fluent), etc.
• Industry-specific: Certifications, methods, standards

Design and formatting that works

A nice CV is good, but readability is most important:

Typography

• Use one or maximum two fonts
• Keep font size between 10-12 points for body text
• Use bold text sparingly to highlight important information

Colors

• Stick primarily to black text on white background
• Use one accent color sparingly (e.g., for headings)
• Avoid strong colors or distracting graphics

Layout

• Consistent margins (2-3 cm)
• Clear section division with good spacing between
• Bullet points for better readability

With Jobbna's CV builder, you get automatic professional formatting. You can focus on the content while the tool ensures everything looks good.

Common mistakes to avoid

1. CV too long

Stick to 1-2 pages. If you have over 10 years of experience, 2 pages may be acceptable, but never more.

2. Spelling and grammatical errors

This can ruin your chances of getting the job. Always proofread, and preferably have someone else read through it.

3. Unprofessional email address

partykjell92@hotmail.com doesn't give a serious impression. Use a simple combination of first and last name.

4. Outdated information

Remove irrelevant experience from 20 years ago. Focus on the last 10-15 years unless older experience is particularly relevant.

5. Lies or exaggerations

Always be honest. Lies are often exposed and can cost you the job.

Export to the right format

When your CV is finished, it's important to export it correctly:

• PDF is always the safest choice - preserves formatting across devices
• Use descriptive file names: "Firstname_Lastname_CV.pdf"
• Keep file size under 2MB

Jobbna's CV builder lets you easily export to PDF with one click, ensuring the formatting looks perfect.

Get help with your CV

Creating a good CV doesn't have to be difficult. With Jobbna's CV builder you get:

• Professional templates that follow best practices
• Easy editing with automatic formatting
• Ability to save multiple versions
• PDF export with perfect formatting
• Tips and guidance along the way

Start with your CV now and see how easy it can be to create a professional CV that gets you to the interview.

Summary

A good CV is about presenting your experience and competencies in a way that matches the employer's needs. Keep it short, relevant, and easy to read. Adapt it for each position, highlight results over tasks, and ensure professional formatting.

With the right tools and a little effort, you can create a CV that truly stands out. Good luck!