Your CV is one of the most important documents in a job search. It’s your chance to make a great first impression and show employers why you’re the ideal candidate.
With competition often fierce for roles, you need your CV to stand out. Follow these secrets to craft an eye-catching application that showcases your skills and experiences.
Tailor Each Application
Generic CVs sent en masse get ignored. Adapt your CV for each role, using keywords from the job ad and showcasing only relevant skills and experiences. With CV maker tools you can easily tweak a CV template, tailoring to every application. Customizing shows you’re serious about each role and have the adaptability employers want.
Formatting and Layout
A cluttered, messy CV full of dense blocks of text is an instant turn-off for recruiters. Use clean formatting with plenty of white space to make your CV scannable and recruiters’ lives easier. Stick to classic fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in sizes 10-12pt.
Headlines and subheadings break up info and guide the reader. Sections such as Education, Experience, and Skills help organize your CV logically. Keep your format consistent throughout. A punk fashion-inspired CV with wild fonts may not suit conservative employers.
Choose a sensible email address. An address like PunkRocker123@email.com or SexyGirl1999@email.com doesn’t present a professional image. Create a simple, grown-up email using your name if needed.
Photos are optional on a UK CV. If you include one, select a professional headshot against a plain background. Avoid casual snaps, cartoon avatars, or glamour model shots. Discrimination is illegal, but unconscious bias exists, so photos can hurt or help depending on the recruiter.
Powerful Profile/Personal Statement
Hook the recruiter in your opening profile or personal statement, highlighting your biggest accomplishments and skills in 3-4 concise, punchy sentences. Quantify achievements using facts and figures.
Convey your unique passion and personality while speaking to the role’s requirements. This section is prime real estate, so make it count.
Achievements, Not Just Responsibilities
Anyone can list job responsibilities in their work history. Recruiters want to see measurable achievements and impact. For each role, highlight your big wins, projects delivered, targets hit or exceeded, and new skills gained.
Use powerful action verbs and numbers to quantify accomplishments. Demonstrating how you added value impresses much more than generic responsibilities.
Skills Section
This handy section lets you list key technical and soft skills not shown elsewhere. It’s a chance to include relevant keywords that are likely to be in the job description.
Categorise by type (e.g. Computer Skills, Language Skills) and be specific, not just generic skills everyone claims like ‘teamwork’ or ‘communication’. A graphic ‘skills cloud’ can jazz up plain text.
Well-Written Bullet Points
Paragraphs slow readers down. Use concise bullet points of 2-4 lines each to communicate info quickly. Vary your sentence structure – some punchy single-line points, some slightly longer. Check for consistent verb tense and no typos or errors. Strong action verbs like ‘led’, ‘spearheaded’ portray you as confident and capable.
Proofread
Typos or errors in your CV suggest carelessness – an instant turn-off. Proofread yourself thoroughly, then ask friends or family to review.
Read your CV aloud and check for clumsy phrasing. Verify that the formatting looks crisp on both PC and mobile. Submit your CV as PDF to prevent formatting changes. A flawless CV reflects your proficient written skills.
Strong References
Include 2-3 references who can vouch for you professionally – former managers or colleagues, not friends or family. Verify their contact details are current. Let them know to expect a reference call. Powerful endorsements from respected individuals make a big impact.
Showcase Other Strengths
Do you have impressive education, like a degree or industry qualifications? Feature those prominently. Highlight volunteer work showing your ethics and commitment to causes.
List relevant awards, publications, and conferences attended that make you stand out. Promote life experiences like travel or languages. Sell your whole package beyond standard work history.
Check Industry Requirements
Certain sectors have conventions for CVs. Academic fields include presentations, papers published, and conferences. Some scientific roles ask for lab skills. Finance wants accounting program knowledge. Know what your industry seeks and highlight those areas prominently.
Utilise Negative Space
Don’t cram your CV with dense blocks of text. Employers value skimmable CVs with visual hierarchy. Use negative space between sections, wider margins, and a clean, uncluttered look. Visually highlight key info with bolding, italics, color, and varying font sizes. Break up text with bullet points, icons, and graphics. White space improves readability.
First impressions matter, so put time into perfecting your CV. Follow these secrets to craft an impressive, polished application tailored to each role you apply for. Showcase your achievements, skills, and passion. With a strategic, well-written CV, you’ll stand out for the right reasons.
