How to Write a Standout CV

7 minutes

Introduction

In today’s increasingly competitive job market, a CV is far more than just a formality—it’s your personal marketing document. Your CV is often the first impression you make on a potential employer, and in many cases, it’s the only chance you have to stand out from the crowd. So, if your CV doesn’t grab the reader’s attention within seconds, it’s highly likely to end up in the rejection pile.

Many job seekers fall into the trap of treating their CV like a list of past responsibilities, thinking that just detailing their job history is enough. But in reality, a strong CV is much more than that. It’s a strategic document that showcases your unique value, highlights your achievements, and is tailored for each role you apply to. In this guide, we’ll walk through the essential elements of crafting a standout CV that not only gets noticed but helps you land the interviews you want.

how to craft a standout CV

Understand the Role of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Let’s start with the technological side of things. If you’ve ever wondered why you aren’t hearing back after submitting multiple job applications, it might have something to do with ATS—Applicant Tracking Systems. These are automated systems that many companies use to scan CVs before they ever reach human eyes.

Why ATS Matters

  • Screening Candidates Efficiently: ATS systems help employers sift through hundreds of applications by filtering out CVs that don’t match the job criteria.
  • Keywords Are Key: ATS software looks for specific keywords that match the job description. If your CV doesn’t include these keywords, it may be automatically rejected.
  • Formatting Can Affect Readability: A CV with fancy designs, graphics, or unusual fonts might look good to a person, but it could confuse an ATS. This is why it’s essential to stick to simple layouts and clear text.

The solution? Make sure your CV is ATS-friendly. Use industry-specific keywords related to the role you’re applying for. These keywords will usually come from the job description itself. For example, if the role requires proficiency in specific software or skills, make sure those terms appear naturally in your CV. Additionally, keep the design clean and simple. Avoid tables, graphics, and images that might throw off the system.


Highlight Achievements, Not Just Responsibilities

A common mistake people make when writing their CV is focusing too much on responsibilities rather than achievements. Listing your duties is all well and good, but it doesn’t tell the employer what sets you apart from other candidates.

Why Achievements Matter

  • Employers Want Impact: It’s one thing to say you managed a team, but it’s far more compelling to mention that under your leadership, team performance improved by 20%.
  • Quantify Your Success: Whenever possible, use numbers to show your impact. Did you increase sales, reduce costs, or improve processes? Use metrics to back up your claims.

Think about your role in terms of outcomes. What did you contribute? What tangible results did your work produce? Saying “responsible for managing a sales team” sounds passive, while “Led a team of 10 sales associates to increase quarterly revenue by 15%” tells the employer you’re results-driven and capable of making a significant impact.


Tailor Your CV for Every Job Application

It’s tempting to send the same CV to multiple job postings, but in reality, a one-size-fits-all CV is unlikely to get you far. Employers can tell when a CV is generic, and they want to see that you’ve put in the effort to tailor your application specifically for their role.

Why Customisation Is Important

  • Speak the Employer’s Language: Different companies value different skills and experiences. By tailoring your CV, you show that you understand the unique needs of each role.
  • Targeted Applications Are More Effective: If the job description emphasises leadership and collaboration, then your CV should highlight examples of where you’ve demonstrated these qualities.

The trick is to adjust your CV for each application. Take time to tweak the profile summary, rearrange your skills, and emphasise different experiences based on what the employer is looking for. Tailoring your CV doesn’t mean starting from scratch—it means making strategic adjustments to show that you’re the right fit for the role.


Keep Your CV Concise and Relevant

Recruiters typically spend only 6 to 10 seconds scanning a CV before deciding whether to keep reading. This means that if your CV is cluttered or hard to read, it’s likely to be overlooked. To make sure your CV stands out, focus on clarity and relevance.

How to Keep It Concise

  • Stick to One or Two Pages: For early-career professionals, a one-page CV is usually sufficient. More experienced candidates may need up to two pages, but anything longer than that risks losing the reader’s attention.
  • Be Selective About What You Include: Every job and skill listed on your CV should be relevant to the role you’re applying for. Don’t include outdated or irrelevant information just to fill space.

When writing your CV, ask yourself if each section directly adds value to your application. If it doesn’t, cut it out. This helps create a CV that’s streamlined and easy for recruiters to scan quickly, while still conveying your qualifications effectively.


Emphasise Both Technical and Soft Skills

In today’s workplace, employers are looking for candidates who bring both technical expertise and strong interpersonal skills to the table. While it’s important to demonstrate your proficiency with specific tools or software, don’t overlook the importance of highlighting soft skills like communication, leadership, and teamwork.

How to Highlight Skills

  • Digital Proficiency Matters: Make sure to include any technical skills that are relevant to the job, whether it’s software, programming languages, or digital tools you’ve mastered.
  • Show, Don’t Tell, Soft Skills: Instead of just listing skills like “teamwork” or “problem-solving,” use specific examples that demonstrate how you’ve used these skills in past roles.

For instance, rather than just writing “excellent communication skills,” you could say, “Presented complex technical information to non-experts, leading to a 30% increase in stakeholder engagement.” By doing this, you’re demonstrating your abilities rather than just claiming to have them.


Use Action-Oriented Language

The language you use in your CV plays a significant role in how your accomplishments are perceived. Instead of passive, generic phrases, use action verbs that clearly show your involvement and impact in previous roles.

Why Language Matters

  • Action Verbs Show Initiative: Words like “developed,” “led,” “achieved,” and “improved” give your CV a more dynamic and proactive tone.
  • Avoid Passive Language: Phrases like “was responsible for” sound passive. Instead, use “led,” “managed,” or “directed” to highlight your active role in your accomplishments.

Strong language makes your CV sound more professional and confident, helping to paint a picture of you as someone who gets results and takes initiative.


Include a Strong Personal Profile

The personal profile, or summary section, at the top of your CV is a critical element that can either grab a recruiter’s attention or lose it. This short section should summarise your key strengths and the unique value you bring to a role.

How to Craft a Personal Profile

  • Keep It Focused: Aim for 3-4 sentences that highlight your most relevant skills, experience, and what you’re looking to achieve in your next role.
  • Tailor It to the Job: Customise your profile for each role, focusing on the areas most important to that employer.

This section serves as your elevator pitch, so make it count. By clearly stating who you are and what you offer, you’ll engage the recruiter from the start.


Conclusion

Writing a standout CV requires more than simply listing your past roles and hoping for the best. It’s about taking a strategic approach, optimising your CV for both human and digital readers, and clearly showcasing the value you bring to a potential employer. By focusing on your achievements, tailoring your CV for each role, and using clear, action-oriented language, you’ll be far more likely to land the interview.

In today’s job market, competition is fierce, but with a strong, well-crafted CV, you can ensure that your application rises to the top of the pile. Take the time to get it right, and you’ll greatly increase your chances of turning that CV into a job offer.

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