Make Sure Your CV Stands Out from the Crowds

With competition for job vacancies being so high, the thought of having to write a CV that stands out from hundreds of other applications can be daunting.  

Here are some top tips to help ensure yours catches the eye of the recruiter, and doesn’t get chucked straight on the rejection pile: 

The most important thing to remember is that your CV is designed to just to get the interview, not the job. You want the reader to want to meet you, and when they do, you can shine. 

Tailor your CV to each role you apply for. The bones will stay the same, just make sure that the knowledge and skills an employer is looking for are mentioned first. It’s hard to reject an application that evidences the qualities the advert says they are specifically looking for. 

For the CV itself… 

• Ensure it is up-to-date, clear and to the point 
• Limit it to 2 sides of A4, 3 at the most. 
• If you’re using a template, avoid any complex designs which could distract from the content 
• Choose a font that is easy to read, for example, Arial or Calibri, using size 10-12 
• Your name and contact details should be centred in bold, in a header 
• As an intro, research the role and summarise briefly, in 2 or 3 sentences, what relevant skills and experience you could bring to the company 
• List your work experience in reverse order, with most recent at the top. Ensure you explain any gaps. Include the Company name, dates (month and year) you were there, and a brief summary of role and responsibilities. Be specific when highlighting any achievements, using stand-out stats rather than over-used phrases/adjectives 
• List your education and any qualifications that are relevant to the role 
• If you have a LinkedIn profile, include the link, as this could highlight any professional experience and achievements, as well as connections you have. Remember, as well as enhancing your reputation, social media can also damage it, so be mindful of what you post 
• If you wish to include hobbies or interests, put at the end, and keep it simple. It can give employers a small insight into your personality, and they may use it to break the ice/relax you during the interview.  
• Proof-read before pushing send, checking for typos and grammar, and make sure the layout is consistent 

If you’d like to chat through your CV, whether it’s writing for the first time, or updating to make it stand out from the crowd, please drop us a note here today and we’ll set up an initial chat.