How to write a strong CV

On the surface, it may seem that the CV is just about listing everything you have done in reversed chronology. But thats done quickly and reasonably efficiently. The challenge to take your CV a step further is to start with where you are heading rather than where you have been. Regardless of your background, a CV will almost always be more effective with a strong introduction, adding personality and a future perspective.

The introduction can include a summary of your competencies, a career goal, a short description of your most important personal qualities, or just a simple but meaningful heading. But the more of the aspects you manage to include, the stronger the introduction will be.

• The introduction is the only part of your CV with a future perspective. The CV should focus on your background and merits, but a strong introduction focusing forward helps provide a context for your previous experiences and shows what you intend to do in the future. When reading your CV, one should immediately feel that the job you are applying for now is indeed the right next step for you. 
• The introduction helps to connect your merits to your future. The introduction is a way of adding personality to an otherwise rather strict and formal document. It helps to give a picture of the person behind the merits. And thats important! It is very rare for recruitment to be decided solely on the formal merits. Personality plays a huge role in the recruitment process. Finding out who the person behind a job application is will help create interest and curiosity for the reader. So try to add something about what you believe in, where you are going in life, maybe a challenge you see, or even some odd interest. Keep it very short and make it relevant by linking it to your merits.
• The introduction helps the reader interpret your CV the way youd like. With an introduction, you can add context to your experiences and education. As a result, you can better help the reader understand your merits and avoid erroneous conclusions. If, for instance, you have had many different jobs, the introduction may help to give a more precise red thread to your application: "project manager with a focus on retail". On the other hand, suppose you have made an unexpected change in your career. In that case, you should highlight it in the introduction to address a recruiters objections even before they arise: "after 10 years as a project manager in retail, I have moved more and more towards managerial roles in other industries".
• The introduction will help your CV be more "spot on". With a good start, you become more interested in the right job and get a "filter" against the jobs you do not want. For example, if you have a background as an accounting consultant since 8 years ago and focus on IT companies, you can be an exciting candidate for a new similar job. However, if what you want now is to go in a different direction, then the introduction can help you get there and at the same time help you avoid job offers you no longer want. That way, you get a powerful CV.