How to Write a CV that Stands Out: 5 Expert CV Tips

If the thought of updating your CV feels overwhelming and you don’t know where to start, you’re in the right place.

Here are 5 expert CV tips to help make sure your CV stands out from the crowd and get’s you that interview. .

1: Keep it simple

The first thing to focus on is keeping it simple. Don’t spend hours adding graphics for your certifications, tables, columns and different fonts, this won’t help.

When your CV get’s in front of a human, they’ll probably have a handful of key words or skills they are looking for. If, all they see is a mish-mash of colours, pictures and crazy formatting, it’s journey (along with your chances of an interview) will likely stop there. Clean, consistently formatted text is all you need.

Of course, in some industries you will be expected to show your design savvy in your CV, but readability is always paramount.

2: Tailor your CV

Always tailor your CV to the job and company you are applying for. Look at the company’s website learn about their values and check out their latest news articles. This will usually give you an indication of whether or not you will enjoy working there.

Describe relevant work you’ve done that fits in with their values and try using some of the same key words. Then, take a look at the job advert and match up as much of your skills and experience to it as you can.

Make it impossible for them to not at least select you for the first stage of the process. The average person will only spend 6-7 seconds looking at your CV, so make it obvious.

3: Forget a list of Duties….. Share your achievements

There is nothing worse than trying to make sense of a CV with endless lists of vague duties on it. It won’t demonstrate any value that you bring, or grab the reader’s attention. Use the STAR Approach to describe what you’ve delivered and and the positive outcomes. 

It’s one thing telling the reader what your job description says, it is another thing showing them what you’ve achieved.

Doing this will also give you a selection of achievements in your mind that are easy to recall in your interview.

4: Demonstrate your value

Wherever you can, include timescales, budgets, technologies, sizes of teams, systems used, anything that makes the value you bring measurable. Again, this will give your potential employer a reason to get you in for an interview

For example,

Management of the customer service team

This does demonstrate that you had the responsibility of managing a team of people.

Management of a team of 5 customer service agents to deliver the best service to our customers, customer satisfaction increased by [insert info]

This brings your experience to life and demonstrates the value.

Have people said good things about your work? Put their feedback on your CV. Do you have any links to your work you could share? Put them in too.

Giving this extra information shows your potential employer the value you bring. How could they not interview you now?

5: Don’t be scared to be yourself

Pay some special attention to your profile section at the top of your CV.  

There is nothing wrong with saying you are motivated, hardworking, and conscientious; however, it is worth looking at alternative words you could use which will really let your personality shine through. Word Hippo is a handy tool for this.

Share your hobbies if you you want to. They can set you apart from the crowd and provide a topic for easy discussion for you in an interview.

However you want to do it, let your true self shine through. It probably isn’t the right environment for you if a potential employer reads your CV and doesn’t select you.

Remember: Keep it simple, tailor your CV, share your achievements, demonstrate your value and don’t be scared to be yourself

One last thing

Don’t forget to spell check, especially if you have promoted your attention to detail and high levels of accuracy….

Follow the tips in this article and updating your CV doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. You’ll have a well formatted, easy-to-read CV that demonstrates the value you bring.

It will give your potential employer an insight into who you are, your unique qualities and the value you bring. What more could they need to offer you an interview?

Still unsure about where to start?

I have spent over 15 years advising hundreds of people like you how to make their CV stand out. Whether you want to completely overhaul your CV, tailor it for a specific job, I can help.

Get your free CV Guide and Template here to get started.

Want some help from an expert?

Check out my CV and Confidence Boost Session here: CV & Confidence Boost Session – Once Upon A Tech Recruiter

If you want to find out a more about me I’m on LinkedIn here: Samantha Leeman (MREC) | LinkedIn