The CV as a professional mirror: what every woman should remember when telling her work history

Jaynne Rivas
Jul 30
3 min read

Updated: Aug 11

A resume is a strategic tool that allows us to clearly present who we are in the workplace, what we know how to do, and what value we can bring to an organization. It's more than a simple administrative document. For many women—especially those whose careers have been marked by migration, informal employment, or interrupted studies—the challenge isn't inventing experience, but learning to name it legitimacy.

Beyond formats and templates, the key lesson when building a resume is to understand that we're not describing tasks, but rather demonstrating skills. And to do it well, we need to shift our focus: instead of describing what we've done, we need to show what we can do.

From doing to knowing how: how to translate experience

Saying "I cooked for a group of employees" doesn't have the same effect as saying "I planned daily menus and managed preparation times for work groups with different nutritional needs." Both are talking about the same thing, but the latter demonstrates ability, organization, and adaptability: skills that can be transferred to different jobs, even outside the culinary field.

This change isn't just a matter of writing. It's a way of recognizing the value of experiences that have often been overlooked. Running a shop, caring for a sick person, or leading a community group are all experiences that require specific skills such as conflict management, working under pressure, and resource management.

What should a good CV have?

An effective resume is concise, clear, and focused on what you can bring to the job you're applying for. Although there are different types of CVs (chronological, functional, mixed), they all share a common principle: they should allow the employer to identify your skills in less than five minutes.

Additionally, you should avoid common mistakes: it's not necessary to include your entire work history, especially if there are jobs unrelated to the vacancy. It's also not recommended to use colloquial language, be too long-winded, or include irrelevant information. Spelling, visual presentation, and order also communicate professionalism.

But above all, a CV should reflect your career with pride and accuracy. For many women, the act of writing down what they've done in professional terms is also an act of empowerment: "This is what I know, this is what I can offer."

Why focus on skills?

Skills allow you to demonstrate your worth even if you don't have formal experience. They also connect better with the employer's needs: instead of saying "I volunteered at a school," you can say "I supported children's educational processes, developing communication, leadership, and time management skills."

In contexts where the labor market is competitive or unreceptive to migrant careers, presenting yourself through skills is a strategic way to expand possibilities and give visibility to experiences that don't always fit into traditional categories.

Table 1 provides a reminder that can help you identify skills you may already have, even if you haven't called them that before.

Table 1. From Activity List to Skills

SITUATION EXPERIENCED OR TASK	SKILLS DEVELOPED
Caring for a family member	Organization, empathy, routine management, decision making
Cooking for other people	Planning, time management, adaptation, hygiene and safety
Running a shop or stall	Customer service, money management, problem solving
Participate in community groups	Teamwork, leadership, communication, event coordination
Work in cleaning	Detail, responsibility, compliance with standards
Volunteering	Commitment, collaboration, initiative, conflict resolution
Using social media to sell products	Basic marketing, digital communication, customer follow-up
Study and work at the same time	Time management, discipline, task prioritization

Source: Prepared by the authors

A document that opens doors

A good CV won't get you a job on its own, but it does open doors for people to listen to you. It's the first filter and often the only opportunity to show you know more than you seem to.

Therefore, beyond the format, the essential thing is to understand that a well-crafted resume not only informs but also affirms. It affirms that your story matters, that your experience counts, and that you are ready to take the next step in your professional journey.