Tips on how to make your CV stand out

A CV is usually your first point of contact with a potential employer. An impressive CV could make your application stand out, whilst a poor one could land you at the bottom of a pile of candidates less qualified than yourself. How you write your CV, what information you choose to include and how you format that information is therefore very important when trying to land your dream job.

Having a well-written CV that looks professional and is tailored to the job you’re applying for can increase your chances of landing that long-awaited interview. Here’s a few tips from our very own recruitment consultants that will help you make your next job application stand out.

Try to not use more than two pages

Limiting the length of your CV serves more than one purpose. Not only does it force you to remove any unnecessary/unimportant information, it also increases the likelihood of your prospective employer actually reading it the whole way through. Remember, they’ve probably been looking at applications all day – the last thing they want to see is a ten-page document detailing the specifics of your current position.

Tailor your CV to the job you’re applying for

Trying to cram every one of your skills and achievements onto the page may seem like a good idea, but it actually makes for a generic CV that shows no direction. It is better to choose a set of skills and work experience that is relevant to the role you are applying for. It shows that your skills match the role perfectly and allows you to elaborate on areas that are actually important to your prospective employer.

Follow an approved CV format

A general format would look something like this:

• Personal details: your name, address and contact details
• Personal profile: a short, concise statement about who you are that will make you stand out from the crowd
• Education: any qualification, training or professional accreditation that you have earned
• Work experience: this should be listed in chronological order and should include the company name, your job title, when and how long you worked there, as well as the responsibilities of the role
• Skills: any relevant skills you haven’t mentioned yet
• Achievements

Don’t lie on your CV

It may be tempting to tell a white lie here or there to make your CV more appealing. However, the reality is that the interview process and background check process is quite thorough and its very likely that you will be caught out.

Don’t mention money

Your CV is not the place to mention anything to do with salary or benefits. These discussions are usually covered during the interview stage, and even then, the topic is usually brought up by the recruiter/prospective employer first.

Finished building your CV? Find your new dream job here.
Are you still unsure how to build your CV? You can find free templates here.