9 Tips to Make Your CV Stand Out
A CV, sometimes referred to as a resume, is a short summary of an individuals’ key skills, experience and qualifications. Hiring managers will only spend a short period of time – just seconds – reading a CV, so it is crucial that it catches their attention first time.
Here are some of our top CV tips to help you stand out.
Make It Specific
Conducting research into the job can help you stand out from other applicants. It is important to treat every job application as unique. Therefore, assess each job advert before applying and make sure that your CV highlights the most important traits for the role.
One easy method that can be used is looking at the job description for key words, and distribute these throughout the document. If possible, include facts and figures about your previous achievements as evidence of relevant experience.
A Good Structure for Easy Navigation
It is important that the CV can be read and understood easily, or some employers might disregard it straight away – especially if they are busy.
Always remember the CV hotspot – the upper middle area of the page. This is where the recruiter’s eye will naturally fall, so make sure to include the most relevant information here.
One easily forgotten aspect is using the right font and size. Throughout the document, the font should be consistent and professional. Some of the most common fonts are: Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri. Sizing can be changed for titles, subheading, main body, etc.
Key Skills
Key, soft and hard skills can come through in the employment history section, but including a ‘key skills’ section can highlight areas that could be missed. Within the competitive job market, it is likely that this will be one of the first sections an employers looks at the save time.
Employers will look for a variety of skills. This includes skills that are on the job description, as well as personal skills that will decide if the individual can fit into the company culture.
Include a Personal Statement
Including a personal statement can help explain to the employer why you are the best person for the job. This should be a short paragraph located under the CV header so it grabs attention.
Within the paragraph, there should be an obvious statement of career objectives, communicating the value that can be brought to the position and company, and well as a brief summary of experience.
Proofread It
An essential CV tip would be to proofread the document. Majority of the time, a CV is the first impression of a candidate. Therefore, you want to avoid any mistakes with spelling or grammar. Show it to someone of trust who will give constructive feedback.
Many benefits can come from proofread before submitting an application. The most obvious one is that it will be free of mistakes. Alongside this, it allows you to put yourself in the employer’s shoes for a minute. Enabling you to see yourself in a different light.
Keep Updated
A crucial step is regularly reviewing your CV and adding in any new skills or experience.
Undergoing regular check-ups can highlight gaps within personal skills and experience that needs to be developed for a certain industry. Being able to fill these gaps is another way that can help you stand out.
Be Concise
When it comes to a CV, it is important to stick to the two A4 page rule. As you gain new skills and experience, you can remove older information as it becomes outdated. An example of this could be clubs joined in school, or part-time jobs at the beginning of a career.
References
It isn’t essential to include references on a CV. Usually, a statement along the lines of ‘references available upon request’ is sufficient.
Think Outside the Box
If you’re moving into a new sector or just starting out in your career, think about how experience you have gained could demonstrate the skills needed for the role.
Depending on the job you’re applying for, and if you really want to stand out from the crowd, you could consider including a link to a video CV or webpage. This is a unique way to showcase examples of your work.
