Collecting all the information you need to include on your CV is one challenge; presenting that information in a way that stands out and secures a job interview is another. This article is for school leavers, professionals looking for their second or tenth job, and anyone who wants to make their CV stand out.
Make a good impression with a personal statement
A personal statement should state who you are, what you bring to an employer, and your career aspirations. It is the first thing a hiring manager will read, so it is worthwhile making this section stand out.
A recruiter is likely to pay attention to your resume if your personal statement says you have the skills mentioned in the recruiter’s job description. Make your personal statement unique by focusing on your most interesting and impressive abilities and skills.
Your personal statement should be a maximum of 150-200 words. It helps to use an example to demonstrate and prove your abilities, rather than simply stating you have them.
Present your unique selling point
The job market is unquestionably competitive, and there will most likely be other applicants with the same skills. A USP can help your CV stand out if it is relevant to the job. It may be your blog, volunteer work, an interest, or social media professional networking.
A USP might demonstrate that you have commercial awareness, subject expertise, or a portfolio of impressive achievements or completed projects.
Evidence your statements
Anyone can say they are an expert in something or have a particular skill. The key to catching the eye of recruiters is to prove it. A tangible example is compelling when it describes the situation, identifies the task, describes the action, and reveals the result.
Instead of saying ‘social media marketer,’ state ‘low social media engagement required increasing and through presenting regular industry insights, comments and likes increased by 50%.’
Use keywords
Technology and AI have transformed recruitment, and employers and hiring managers use tools to search CVs and CV databases for potential candidates. Your CV should include the words and phrases your prospective employer/s use, including job titles, qualifications, and industry-specific terms.
Tailor your CV
Spending your time sending out the same CV to multiple employers or recruiters is unlikely to create the results you desire. Instead, spend your time creating bespoke CVs for a few job openings that emphasise the skills, abilities, and industry knowledge the job description reveals. Relevancy is the key to success.
Remember the basics
Your CV should encompass all the basic CV writing rules. Read our career advice on personal statements, education, job history, hobbies, skills, and references.
CV template examples
Before creating your next CV, check out our CV templates for inspiration:
- Accounting CV template
- Agriculture CV template
- Arts CV template
- Automotive CV template
- Banking CV template
- Charity CV template
- Construction CV template
- Customer Services CV template
- Education CV template
- Engineering CV template
- Environmental CV template
- Facilities Management CV template
- Finance CV template
- Healthcare CV template
- Hospitality and Leisure CV template
- Human Resources (HR) CV template
- Information Technology (IT) CV template
- Leadership CV template
- Legal CV template
- Manufacturing CV template
- Marketing CV template
- Media CV template
- Office Administration CV template
- Personal Care CV template
- Professional Services CV template
- Public Sector CV template
- Retail CV template
- Sales CV template
- Science CV template
- Social Care CV template
- Telecommunications CV template
- Transportation and Logistics CV template
