In this article, you will learn about the structure of a resume, five important tips and the best part is that you can download resume and cover letter templates completely free of charge. We will edit a template step by step and you will see the whole process with lots of pictures.

After that, you'll greatly increase your chances of getting the job you want on your first try.

Structure of the CV and basic terms

1. Personal details: This is where you enter your basic personal information: Name, contact details, date and place of birth.
2. Work experience and education: In this section, you provide a detailed overview of your previous professional stations and your school and academic qualifications.
3. Knowledge and skills: List your relevant skills, such as language skills, IT skills and other professionally important skills.
4. Further training: Mention any further training and courses you have completed that are relevant to the position you are applying for.
5. Interests and hobbies: Personal interests and hobbies that can make a positive impression and may be related to the position you are applying for.
6. No more than two pages: Make sure your resume remains concise and is no longer than two pages. One page is ideal!

Download the CV and application templates for free

On the TutKit.com portal, you can download a high-quality commercial CV template in PDF, InDesign or Word format for free. Using a ready-made professional template offers several advantages:

• It meets modern standards for the design and structure of a CV.
• The correct division of the most important sections, such as personal data, education, professional experience, etc., is already included.
• You can use it to create your own CV.
• You will receive a file in a format that is compatible with common Office programs for further editing.

A ready-made resume template on TutKit.com is the ideal starting point for creating a professional-looking and structured resume according to all standards.

Here are the resume templates in Word, InDesign and PDF format to get you started. Download them as I'll show you how to edit them using the examples.

Editing a free template in InDesign

Now let's start editing a CV template step by step in InDesign software. InDesign offers numerous advantages over Word when it comes to editing templates. One of the biggest advantages is the precise control over layout and typography. InDesign allows you to place and adjust text and graphics with millimetre precision. InDesign also offers advanced functions for working with colors and effects as well as the ability to create professional print templates. The layer and paragraph styles in InDesign enable flexible and efficient editing, which is only possible to a limited extent in Word. These features make InDesign the preferred choice for designing sophisticated documents such as resumes.

The downloaded resume template contains all the necessary information, clearly organized into different sections. To use this template, you will need to make some changes and replace the existing data with your current information. Let's go through in detail what changes need to be made in each block:

Replace the personal information given in the example such as Max Mustermann, 01.01.1985, Musterstraße 1, 12345 Musterstadt, Germany, maximilian@mustermann.de, +49 123 456789 with your own: your full name, your date and place of birth, your home address, your e-mail address and your cell phone number. Also update the professional photo.

Replace the data given in the example in the "Work experience" block with your current and previous experience:

07/2018 - to date :

• Website development and maintenance
• Implementation of customer requirements into functional web solutions
• Collaboration with designers and other developers
• Performing tests and debugging

Replace the data given in the example in the "Education" section with your own educational information.

Edit the Skills section. Fill it out carefully.

Fill in the Training section. Only enter the courses here that are relevant to your future work. Your employer does not necessarily need to know that you have a certificate of completion for a course in sewing pants.

List your hobbies and interests: Programming, traveling, photography, sports (running, swimming).

Editing a resume template in InDesign is not difficult at all, as long as you have a sensibly structured template. There is the option to save the document later as a Word or PDF file, which is important as applications should be sent by email in PDF format. Even if you have no previous knowledge of InDesign, it's easy to find your way around thanks to the intuitive user interface. And alternatively, it also works very well in Microsoft Word, as you can see from the last two screenshots. You can even edit it easily in Google Docs.

5 key tips for creating a high-quality CV

1. Clarity and organization:
   • Make sure your resume is clear and easy to read. Use clear headings and a logical sequence of sections.
   • Avoid superfluous information and focus on the essentials.
2. Adapt to the position:
   • Tailor your CV to the specific job advertisement. Use relevant keywords and highlight experience and skills that are important for the position.
   • Show that you understand and fulfill the requirements of the position.
3. Quantifiable achievements:
   • Wherever possible, give specific numbers and achievements to back up your experience. For example: "Increased sales by 20%" or "Reduced costs by 15%".
   • Such details make your achievements more tangible and impressive.
4. Professional design:
   • Use a simple but professional layout. Consistent fonts, clear paragraphs and sufficient white space improve readability.
   • Make sure your CV is no longer than two pages.
5. Error-free presentation:
   • A CV with spelling or grammatical errors looks unprofessional. Check your text carefully and ideally have it proofread by a second person.
   • An error-free presentation shows your care and professionalism.

The CV is only part of the application

A CV is only one part of an application. A complete application also includes:

1. Cover letter: A personalized letter explaining why you are interested in the position and why you are the ideal candidate. Here you should address the requirements of the job advertisement and highlight your relevant qualifications and experience.
2. Certificates: Copies of your school and training certificates as well as work references from previous employers. These documents prove your qualifications and experience.
3. References: Names and contact details of people who are willing to give you a positive recommendation. These can be previous employers, colleagues or teachers. References can also be a kind of project list.
4. Letter of motivation (optional): An additional letter in which you go into more detail about your motivation and goals. This can be particularly helpful for applications for scholarships, university places or very specific positions.

A carefully composed application that includes all of these components will increase your chances of being invited for an interview.

A cover page for your CV gives your application a professional touch. It should include your name, the title "Application" and the position you are applying for. A well-designed cover page makes a positive first impression on the employer.

The order of documents in an application should be clear and structured to make a professional impression. The cover sheet is followed by:

1. Cover letter: The cover letter is the first document after the cover sheet and provides an overview of your motivation and qualifications for the position.
2. CV: The cover letter is followed by the CV, which contains detailed information about your education, work experience and skills.
3. Attachments: These include certificates, diplomas and references that support the information you provide in your CV and cover letter.

This order helps the employer to find all relevant information quickly and easily.

The cover letter is a central component of every application and should be individually tailored to the position in question. In this document, you explain why you are interested in the position and what makes you an ideal candidate. It is important to address the requirements of the job advertisement in the cover letter and highlight relevant qualifications and experience. A well-written cover letter leaves a positive first impression and can be crucial for an invitation to an interview.

Gift: Professional application templates for free

With a professionally written application, you will make such a good impression on the employer that they will have no choice but to hire you. I'm making this template available to you in three formats - Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Word and Serif Affinity Publisher - completely free of charge. You can find these formats in the template folder.

If you would like a different template, you can browse through the CV or application categories and view our full range of templates. I sincerely hope you get the job of your dreams!